Director of Automation Engineering

Key Responsibilities: Develop and execute an enterprise-wide automation strategy supporting manufacturing productivity, labor optimization, quality, safety, and operational efficiency. Evaluate manual manufacturing processes including assembly, welding, inspection, material handling, packaging, and related operations to identify high-value automation opportunities. Lead the concept development and mechanical design of custom automation equipment, robotic cells, fixtures, tooling, end-of-arm tooling, parts-feeding systems, and other production equipment. Provide technical leadership throughout the entire automation lifecycle, including concept development, design reviews, prototyping, equipment build, programming, debugging, installation, launch, and production validation. Introduce and expand the use of industrial robotics, collaborative robots, automated inspection systems, machine vision, AGVs/AMRs, advanced PLC controls, and other emerging manufacturing technologies. Establish internal engineering capabilities that allow high-ROI automation projects to be developed and deployed rapidly. Build, develop, and lead a high-performing team of automation, controls, mechanical, robotics, and simulation engineers. Create automation standards, engineering methodologies, and best practices that can be replicated across multiple manufacturing locations. Develop detailed capital requests and business cases for automation projects, including equipment costs, labor savings, productivity improvements, payback periods, and overall return on investment. Partner closely with operations, manufacturing engineering, quality, maintenance, IT, and plant leadership to ensure automation projects support broader business objectives. Simulation & Digital ManufacturingDevelop the organization's strategy fordigital manufacturing, virtual commissioning, digital twins, and advanced simulation. Utilize discrete-event, robotic, and kinematic simulation technologies to validate manufacturing concepts before equipment is physically built. Analyze cycle times, equipment utilization, operator interaction, material flow, bottlenecks, and production capacity through simulation. Lead virtual commissioning activities to validate PLC logic, robotic motion, HMI functionality, and system interaction prior to installation. Use simulation and digital validation to reduce equipment launch risk, shorten installation timelines, and improve production readiness. Support the design and optimization of complex automated assembly systems, robotic work cells, and material-handling systems. Technology & Engineering ExpertiseThe successful candidate should have extensive experience with several of the following technologies: Industrial robotics includingFANUC, ABB, KUKA, Yaskawa, or similar platforms PLC and controls systems includingRockwell / Allen-Bradley and Siemens Machine vision and automated inspection technologies Automated material handling systems includingAGVs and AMRs Mechanical automation design and custom machine development End-of-arm tooling, fixturing, parts feeding, and robotic applications Industrial networks and integrated controls architectures 3D CAD platforms such asSolidWorks, CATIA, Inventor, or comparable systems Manufacturing simulation platforms such asSiemens Process Simulate, Siemens Plant Simulation, DELMIA, Visual Components, Arena, or similar technologies

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree inMechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or a related technical discipline. Minimum of approximately 10 years of progressive engineering experiencewithin complex or high-volume manufacturing environments. At least 5 years of experience leading automation, controls, robotics, manufacturing engineering, or related technical teams. Automotive, Tier 1 automotive supplier, or similarly demanding high-volume manufacturing experience is strongly preferred. Demonstrated experience designing, developing, and implementing automation systems that successfully replaced or significantly reduced manual manufacturing processes. Strong mechanical design knowledge with the ability to understand and evaluate machine concepts, tooling, fixtures, mechanisms, robotics, and automation equipment. Working knowledge of robotics, PLC controls, automation architecture, industrial networking, and manufacturing systems integration. Experience developing and managing significant automation-relatedcapital expenditures and equipment budgets. Strong understanding of automation project economics, including labor savings, productivity improvements, equipment utilization, ROI, and payback analysis. Ability to successfully lead projects from early concept through equipment installation, commissioning, and sustained production. Manufacturing & Automotive RequirementsExperience operating within highly structured manufacturing environments is important for this position. Automotive manufacturing experience is strongly preferred, including familiarity with: IATF 16949 requirements OEM and Tier 1 customer expectations High-volume manufacturing environments Launch and production-readiness processes Continuous improvement and operational excellence methodologies Equipment validation and manufacturing quality systems

Ideal Candidate Profile: The strongest candidate will have progressed through their career as a trueautomation engineer and technical problem solverbefore moving into leadership. We are particularly interested in candidates who can point to specific manufacturing automation projects they personally helped conceptualize, engineer, and implement. Candidates should be prepared to discuss examples of projects involving: Automation of previously manual manufacturing processes Robotic work-cell development Custom machine or mechanism design Controls and robotics integration Simulation or virtual commissioning Cycle-time improvements Labor reduction or redeployment Throughput improvements Capital investment and ROI The ability to clearly explain thetechnical challenge, engineered solution, implementation process, and measurable business impactof previous automation projects will be an important part of the evaluation process.