Automation Engineer

About the role

This role is onsite and based at our Bardstown, Kentucky location.

Responsibilities

• Design, deployment, and maintenance of automation to improve quality, reduce operating costs, increase yield, and reduce downtime.
• Confer with Marketing, Quality, and Manufacturing teams to determine engineering feasibility, cost effectiveness, and prioritization of automation/Engineering projects.
• Perform project management activities for plant automation projects, including new product development and major replacement, refurbishment, and integration opportunities with existing equipment.
• Research new technology to support automation strategies and monitor industry trends including automation and vision systems.
• Select and grow relationships with equipment and third-party integrator vendors.
• Develop and deploy technical standards, training, operating procedures, and maintenance programs for automation and vision systems.
• Interface with hourly technical personnel to optimize processes and improve skills.
• Other duties as assigned.

Performance Measures And Outcomes

• Project delivery metrics – on-time, budget, scope, safety
• Training metrics
• Operating costs / labor reduction
• Employee safety associated with automation and new processes
• Line speed and downtime
• Defects detection and automation, vision downtime

Who You Are...

• Bachelor’s Degree in Automation Engineering or related field of study including Mechanical, Industrial, Materials, or related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in an engineering role.
• Ability to direct multiple operations initiatives from a project management perspective.
• Ability to perform employee training, development, and coaching.
• Proven track record of project management experience with progressively increasing scale.
• Solid understanding and ability to deploy LEAN, FMEA, and DOE principles in projects.
• Proven ability to lead by example and coordinate with others.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft applications including Excel, Project, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Outlook.
• Working knowledge of 3D/CAD, preferably SolidWorks.
• PLC Programming experience.
• Knowledge and experience in robot implementation and programming.
• Knowledge and experience in vision detection and programming.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Experience creating business cases for investments.
• Capability to train technical associates in a manufacturing environment with demonstrated effectiveness.
• Experience conducting safety / risk audits for product/process design.
• Availability outside of normal business hours as needed.

Valued But Not Required Skills And Experience

• Five (5) years of experience with robots, vision, and programming.
• Experience in the distilled spirits bottling operations.
• Knowledge of product design and design for manufacturability.

Physical Requirements

• Use hands, fingers, handle, feel, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear.
• Walk, stand, stoop, sit, kneel, crouch and crawl.
• Frequently the employee will be required to lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds.
• Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to focus is required.

Benefits

• Paid Vacation 11
• Paid Holidays
• Health, Dental & Vision eligibility from day one
• FSA/HSA
• 401K match
• EAP
• Maternity/Paternity Leave