Opex-Senior Automation Engineer- Advanced Manufacturing

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Opex-Senior Automation Engineer- Advanced Manufacturing based in United States.

This role offers the opportunity to serve as a technical leader driving advanced manufacturing automation across a broad network of industrial sites.

You will lead the development, deployment, and optimization of automation solutions that improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost performance.

The position combines hands-on project execution with enterprise-level capability development, standardization, and technology strategy.

You will bring deep expertise in robotics, controls, automated machining, fabrication, and welding and joining technologies to complex manufacturing environments.

Working across engineering, operations, maintenance, quality, IT, OT, procurement, EHS, and business leadership, you will influence major capital and automation initiatives.

You will also evaluate emerging technologies and identify opportunities to replicate successful automation solutions across multiple facilities.

This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced automation professional who enjoys solving complex manufacturing challenges while shaping scalable technologies and standards.

Accountabilities

• Lead advanced manufacturing automation projects from initial concept and technical justification through design, implementation, commissioning, startup, and production launch.
• Evaluate machining, fabrication, welding, and other manufacturing processes to identify opportunities for automation and operational improvement.
• Develop automation concepts, technical specifications, project scopes, capital estimates, ROI analyses, and business cases.
• Serve as an enterprise technical capability owner for welding, joining, and related automation technologies.
• Develop and maintain automation standards, specifications, preferred technologies, and repeatable engineering practices across manufacturing sites.
• Support multiple manufacturing facilities and business units according to strategic priorities and operational needs.
• Lead or support vendor selection, RFQs, technical evaluations, design reviews, Factory Acceptance Testing, Site Acceptance Testing, commissioning, and production startup.
• Troubleshoot, optimize, and improve existing robotics, controls, automation, and manufacturing systems.
• Identify high-performing automation solutions and develop strategies to replicate them across additional sites.
• Contribute to the Automation and Advanced Manufacturing roadmap, technology strategy, and long-term capability development.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, including robotics, machine vision, simulation, advanced data systems, and AI-enabled manufacturing solutions.
• Collaborate with operations, product engineering, maintenance, quality, procurement, IT, OT, EHS, and business leaders to ensure successful automation deployment.
• Work closely with external automation suppliers and system integrators to deliver technically sound and commercially effective solutions.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to site engineering teams and manufacturing resources.
• Share automation best practices, lessons learned, and technical standards across the broader manufacturing network.
• Travel to manufacturing sites as required to support project execution, commissioning, troubleshooting, and technical initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation and Controls, Robotics Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in industrial automation, manufacturing engineering, robotics, controls, or advanced manufacturing.
• Strong professional background in welding automation, robotic welding, automated machining, fabrication, or related manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated experience leading significant automation projects and capital investments from concept through production launch.
• Strong understanding of industrial robotics, controls, machine safety, system integration, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience developing automation concepts, technical specifications, project scopes, capital estimates, and business cases.
• Strong project leadership, problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to work effectively with manufacturing operations, engineering teams, technical specialists, suppliers, integrators, and business stakeholders.
• Hands-on experience with industrial robots such as FANUC, ABB, KUKA, or Yaskawa/Motoman is preferred.
• Knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, industrial networking, and controls integration is preferred.
• Experience with machine vision, automated inspection, material handling, MES, SCADA, OEE, or manufacturing data collection systems is advantageous.
• Experience with robotic welding and automated joining systems is highly valued.
• Certified welding experience is a plus.
• Experience leading or supporting FAT, SAT, commissioning, startup, and production launch activities is preferred.
• Familiarity with simulation, AI-enabled manufacturing, and emerging automation technologies is advantageous.
• Lean Green Belt certification is a plus.
• Strong ability to travel as required to support manufacturing sites and enterprise projects.

Benefits

• Base salary range of $68,900-$98,200, with actual compensation determined by factors such as training, transferable skills, experience, education, business needs, market conditions, and work location.
• Health, welfare, and retirement benefits.
• Potential eligibility for an annual bonus.
• Opportunity to work on advanced manufacturing and automation initiatives with broad operational impact.
• Exposure to robotics, controls, machine vision, AI-enabled manufacturing, and other emerging technologies.
• Opportunity to influence automation standards and technology strategies across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Collaboration with multidisciplinary engineering, operations, technology, quality, and business teams.
• Opportunities to mentor engineering professionals and contribute to enterprise technical capability development.
• Professional growth in a technically sophisticated and continuously evolving manufacturing environment.
• Inclusive workplace culture that values different experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds.
• Support for workplace accommodations when needed.