Automation Engineer

About the role

The Automation Engineer plays a key role in designing, specifying, and validating automation solutions for complex injection molding and assembly operations in a consumer products environment. This position collaborates closely with Sales, Engineering, and Operations to define automation requirements, quote and justify new equipment, and ensure that automated systems meet internal and external customer expectations for quality, capacity, safety, and overall equipment effectiveness. The role includes specifying automation designs and controls, overseeing vendor machine run-offs, supporting validations, and driving continuous improvement across molding and assembly processes.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Sales, Engineering, and Operations to define and quote automation solutions that meet internal and external customer expectations, including machine requirements, assembly rates, and manning requirements for quoting purposes.
• Create and issue User Requirement Specifications and automation requests for quotes for new assembly cells, utilizing an approved vendor list and driving achievement of agreed deliverables for molding and assembly projects.
• Specify general automation design approaches, including materials, components, and controls, to deliver robust solutions that meet customer quality and capacity expectations while aligning with plant objectives for OEE, quality, and safety.
• Review and approve automation designs prior to the start of system build, ensuring compliance with requirements, standards, and best practices.
• Conduct machine run-offs at vendor facilities to verify quality, function, and performance against specifications, and ensure readiness for production deployment.
• Support Operations teams as a technical subject matter expert in the execution of projects, including creation of project plans, schedules, budgets, and task lists, in accordance with documented procedures.
• Ensure projects meet delivery, quality, safety, and cost objectives through effective coordination with cross-functional manufacturing and project teams.
• Collaborate proactively with plant operations, quality, and technical team members on continuous improvement initiatives, including design of experiments (DOE) and other data-driven processes to support decision making.
• Support mold and assembly automation validations through successful completion, including customer approvals, and write capital requests while assuring validation of equipment and processes where required.
• Lead or participate in Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and risk management activities both internally and with external partners.
• Lead and coordinate ongoing maintenance efforts for automation systems, including retroactive and preventative maintenance, while utilizing the company IQS database to establish and maintain machine records for each event.
• Support other technical activities and projects within the facility as requested by the Director of Engineering, contributing engineering expertise where needed.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships across all levels of the organization and with outside parties, including customers and suppliers.
• Maintain professional competence, knowledge, and skills necessary for the satisfactory performance of all assigned responsibilities, staying current with relevant technologies and best practices.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, automation engineering, or a related field.
• At least five years of experience in plastics manufacturing and injection molding environments.
• Minimum five years of experience in automation design, build, and related processes.
• Experience in project management, including installation and operational validations for automation and assembly systems.
• Extensive knowledge of automation design and construction techniques for molding and assembly applications.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools, with SolidWorks strongly preferred.
• Basic CAD skills, including AutoCAD, for mechanical and layout design work.
• Experience with PLC programming and robotics in automated manufacturing environments.
• Proficiency in program and project management tools, including charts, timelines, change control, and budget management.
• Strong organizational and planning capabilities with proven problem-prevention and problem-solving skills.
• High attention to detail and the ability to meet deadlines on complex projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional teamwork and communication skills, with the ability to achieve results and meet commitments by working with and through others.
• Ability to establish effective work relationships at all levels internally and with customers and suppliers.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Black Belt or lean manufacturing experience preferred.
• Experience with robotics beyond basic operation, including integration into automated cells.
• Advanced PLC programming experience for automation control systems.
• Extensive SolidWorks experience for detailed mechanical and automation design.
• Experience working with complex injection molding tooling and automation for consumer products.
• Background in DFM, FMEA, and formal risk management processes.
• Familiarity with DOE and other data-driven methodologies for process optimization.
• Experience utilizing quality and maintenance databases, such as IQS, to manage machine records and maintenance history.

Work Environment

This role operates in a fast-paced plastics manufacturing facility focused on complex injection molding tooling and automated assembly for consumer products. The Automation Engineer works closely with cross-functional teams on the production floor and in engineering offices, using tools such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, PLC programming environments, robotics systems, and project management software. Work involves collaboration with external automation vendors, including visits to vendor sites for machine run-offs and validations. The environment emphasizes safety, quality, and continuous improvement, with structured processes for validations, risk management, and maintenance. Dress is typically appropriate for a manufacturing and engineering setting, with adherence to all applicable safety and personal protective equipment requirements when working in production areas.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Erlanger, KY.

Pay and Benefits

• Pay range: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00/yr
• Full Dental, Medical, Vision, 401k

Workplace Type: This is a fully onsite position in Erlanger, KY.