The Automation Engineer is responsible for identifying, prioritizing, and implementing automation opportunities across the organization to improve operational efficiency, quality, productivity, and profitability. This role will evaluate business and manufacturing processes throughout the company and develop strategies to reduce manual work, eliminate waste, improve data accuracy, and increase throughput. The Automation Engineer will work closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Customer Service, Sales, HR, and Accounting to assess current-state processes, develop automation roadmaps, build business cases, and lead implementation efforts.
Duties and Responsibilities- Assess manufacturing and business workflows to identify, prioritize, and maintain an automation roadmap aligned with company objectives.
- Evaluate automation opportunities based on ROI, labor savings, quality improvements, risk reduction, and implementation feasibility.
- Develop business cases, recommendations, implementation plans, timelines, budgets, and success metrics for automation projects.
- Analyze production workflows, material movement, quality inspections, maintenance activities, reporting processes, and shop floor data collection opportunities.
- Support digital manufacturing initiatives, connected production systems, and operational efficiency improvements that reduce non-value-added activities.
- Design, develop, test, and deploy approved automation solutions, including workflow automation, RPA, digital forms, reporting solutions, and system integrations.
- Collaborate with IT, manufacturing, and business stakeholders to ensure automation solutions are compatible, secure, and aligned with business needs.
- Improve data flow between ERP, CRM, HRIS, manufacturing systems, and other business applications.
- Develop reports, dashboards, AI-enabled analytics, and actionable insights to support operational decision-making.
- Lead adoption efforts for automation initiatives, including training materials, work instructions, process documentation, and stakeholder communication.
- Measure and report automation project outcomes, monitor system performance, and recommend enhancements.
- Stay current on emerging automation, manufacturing technology, AI, and industry best practices.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related discipline is required; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
- 3+ years of experience in automation, manufacturing engineering, process improvement, business systems, industrial technology, or a related field is required.
- Experience analyzing, documenting, and improving business and operational processes is required.
- Experience in a manufacturing environment is required; industrial products experience is preferred.
- Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement experience is required.
- Strong project management, organizational, self-management, and prioritization skills are required.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, analytical, and structured problem-solving abilities are required.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and collaborate effectively across departments is required.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience with automation technologies such as PLCs, robotics, sensors, machine integration, vision systems, or other connected manufacturing equipment is preferred.
- Experience with workflow automation, RPA tools, digital forms, low-code/no-code automation platforms, or business process automation tools is preferred.
- Experience with SQL, Power BI, manufacturing data systems, dashboards, reporting tools, or shop floor data collection systems is preferred.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems is preferred; SAP experience is highly preferred.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification is preferred.
- Project Management certification is preferred.
Skills and Abilities- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, is required.
- Ability to translate business needs into practical automation solutions that improve efficiency, quality, accuracy, and productivity.
- Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Ability to lead through influence, drive change adoption, and build credibility with employees and leaders at all levels.
The company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.
