The Krebs Group is a family-owned company based in Hamburg with extensive experience in industrial services dating back to 1949. Under the motto “Clear. Strong. Nordic,” we stand for reliability, healthy growth, and open, team-oriented collaboration. With approximately 550 employees across more than 15 locations, we are shaping the future together.
We are developing a game-changing robotic painting solution for the monopile industry and are looking for a highly skilled Lead Automation & Controls Engineer (m/w/d) to take technical ownership of the control and software architecture.
This role is ideal for someone with deep experience in block-based and industrial automation programming who can build, test, and optimise robust software for a complex robotic system operating in demanding industrial environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design, development, and maintenance of the robot control software for an industrial painting system.
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Program and configure block-based control logic and automation sequences for robotic movement, paint application, safety interlocks, and process monitoring.
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Work closely with mechanical, electrical, and process engineers to translate system requirements into reliable and scalable software solutions.
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Develop, test, debug, and optimise robot programs for accuracy, repeatability, coating quality, and cycle-time performance.
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Integrate robot programming with PLCs, HMIs, sensors, drives, 3D scanning, and other industrial control components.
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Support commissioning, factory testing, and on-site start-up of robotic systems.
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Troubleshoot complex software and controls issues during development and deployment.
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Establish programming standards, documentation practices, and version control for the project.
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Mentor other programmers and contribute to the long-term software architecture of the platform.
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Ensure software design aligns with industrial safety, reliability, and maintainability requirements.
Required Qualifications
- Strong experience in industrial automation programming, robotics, or control systems engineering.
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Advanced skills in block-based or function block style programming for industrial applications.
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Solid understanding of PLC programming, industrial communication protocols, and system integration.
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Experience programming or commissioning robotic systems in manufacturing or heavy industry environments.
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Strong debugging and problem-solving skills with the ability to work across software, controls, and hardware interfaces.
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Experience with motion control, safety systems, and sensor integration.
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Ability to work hands-on in a fast-paced development environment and support testing on real equipment.
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Excellent communication skills and ability to lead technical decisions across a multidisciplinary team.
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Skilled in English writing and verbal communication
Preferred Experience
- Experience with robotic block stage programming.
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Background in heavy industry, offshore, steel fabrication, or large-scale automated machinery.
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3D scanning software experience.
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Familiarity with ABB, KUKA, FANUC, or similar industrial robot platforms.
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Experience leading software delivery from concept through commissioning.
System overview
- Rail based linear painting robot for XXXL Monopiles custom design for heavy and complexed painting systems.
- 3D scanning of the object for grid mapping
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Encoders and sensors to monitor up to 13 axes.
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Robot is linear on rails, object is rotating.
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All hardware is programmed in “block stage” to be able to easy replace different hardware to avoid total reprogramming.
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Full quality assurance-report of the whole process.
Why Join Us
This is an opportunity to help shape a breakthrough robotics solution for a major industrial market. You will play a leading role in building a high-impact product from the ground up, working with advanced robotics, automation, and process technology to transform how monopiles are coated at industrial scale.
