Automation Engineer- Riverside, MO, USA

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are a global leader in automotive seating because of our people - a team of adventurous thinkers and passionate high performers who make it all possible. We pride ourselves on being at the vanguard of new industry trends and technologies. When you join Adient, you’ll play an important role in helping us improve the experience of a world in motion.

Summary

The Automation Engineer provides plant-level strategic and technical leadership for automated manufacturing systems. The role owns automation standards, design governance, capital execution, launch readiness, performance improvement, and lifecycle management. Acting as the approval authority for new systems and significant modifications, the Automation Engineer ensures automation solutions are safe, standardized, maintainable, financially justified, and capable of stable production performance before transfer to operations.

Responsibilities

• Define, maintain, and enforce plant automation standards, design specifications, controls architecture, documentation requirements, and risk-mitigation protocols.

• Review and approve automation concepts, detailed designs, software architectures, safety solutions, modifications, and production launches.

• Lead automation capital planning and execution, including business cases, ROI analysis, scope development, vendor selection, technical bid evaluation, schedule and budget control, installation, commissioning, and final acceptance.

• Coordinate internal stakeholders, equipment suppliers, system integrators, maintenance, operations, IT/OT, quality, and safety teams to deliver compliant and production-ready systems.

• Establish launch-readiness criteria and verify that equipment meets safety, quality, cycle-time, reliability, maintainability, documentation, training, and spare-parts requirements before release to production.

• Monitor automated-cell performance using OEE, mean time between failures, downtime, throughput, quality, and 30/60/90-day launch-stability metrics; lead corrective actions and escalation for significant performance events.

• Own automation lifecycle governance from concept through sustainment, ensuring systems are not transferred to operations until defined stability criteria are achieved and no unsupported or “orphaned” systems remain.

• Drive root-cause analysis, continuous improvement, standardization, and replication of proven automation solutions across the plant.

• Maintain awareness of emerging automation technologies and recommend practical applications that improve safety, quality, productivity, flexibility, or cost.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, industrial, manufacturing, mechatronics, controls, or a related engineering discipline.

• Seven or more years of progressive experience in manufacturing automation, controls engineering, systems integration, or advanced manufacturing engineering.

• Demonstrated experience leading automation capital projects valued at $500,000 or more, including technical scope, supplier management, schedule, budget, commissioning, and acceptance.

• Working knowledge of lean manufacturing, OEE improvement, structured problem-solving, risk assessment, and equipment-launch processes.

• Ability to interpret electrical schematics, mechanical layouts, control narratives, network drawings, safety documentation, and supplier technical proposals.

• Strong leadership, decision-making, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to establish technical direction and hold stakeholders accountable to standards.

Specific Technical Requirements

• PLC and controls: Advanced understanding of Rockwell Automation ControlLogix and CompactLogix architectures; ability to review ladder logic, structured text, and function block diagrams; proficiency navigating and managing projects in RSLogix 5000 and Studio 5000.

• HMI systems: Ability to review and approve FactoryTalk View SE and ME applications, alarm strategies, operator interfaces, security, and system integration.

• Robotics: Working knowledge of FANUC robot programming and system integration, including Teach Pendant programs, logic validation, iRVision, Dual Check Safety, CR-series collaborative robot safety concepts, and Roboguide simulation.

• Vision systems: Ability to review Keyence CV-X and Cognex In-Sight or VisionPro applications, including lighting, inspection criteria, pass/fail thresholds, and vision-to-PLC or vision-to-robot communications.

• Industrial networks: Strong understanding of EtherNet/IP architecture, device addressing, managed-switch configuration, bandwidth considerations, diagnostics, I/O mapping, tag structures, and communication handshaking.

• Industrial cybersecurity: Working knowledge of OT network segmentation, access control, secure remote support, asset management, backup and recovery, and baseline industrial cybersecurity practices.

• Machine safety: Knowledge of machinery risk assessment and safeguarding principles, including ISO 12100 concepts, safety PLC applications, robot safety, and validation expectations.

Software, Certifications, and Training

• Proficiency with Microsoft Project or equivalent project-tracking software.

• Ability to review layouts and technical drawings using AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or equivalent software.

• Advanced capability with Microsoft Excel and experience with Power BI, Tableau, or comparable data-visualization tools.

• PMP, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, or equivalent project-management or continuous-improvement certification preferred.

• OSHA 30-Hour General Industry and machinery risk-assessment training preferred.

• Rockwell Automation and FANUC platform training, including FANUC HandlingTool Operations or equivalent, preferred.

PRIMARY LOCATION