Automation Engineer

About the role

Innovate without boundaries. Join our Front End Manufacturing Technology team within Hand Tools to define, develop, and deploy next-generation manufacturing capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop advanced manufacturing equipment, mechanical automation concepts, and scalable machine solutions that integrate with controls, data, and digital manufacturing systems.
• Create machine concepts, detailed drawing packages, design analyses, and equipment specifications for custom automation projects.
• Partner with the FMT Controls Engineer to integrate PLCs, HMIs, robotics, vision, sensors, motion control, machine safety, data collection, and connected manufacturing platforms.
• Evaluate, prototype, and pilot emerging technologies that improve cost, quality, throughput, safety, flexibility, speed to market, and scalability.
• Support AI/ML manufacturing use cases by designing equipment, fixtures, and processes that generate reliable data for optimization, anomaly detection, predictive quality, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Collaborate with controls, IT, data analytics, quality, manufacturing, suppliers, and integrators to deliver process, automation, data, and quality solutions.
• Use simulation, digital twins, virtual commissioning, structured testing, and prototype builds to reduce technical risk before launch.
• Build, maintain, troubleshoot, and improve prototypes, lab fixtures, test stands, and development equipment for NPD and advanced manufacturing projects.
• Identify technical risk, run feasibility studies, validate concepts with data, and recommend scalable deployment paths.
• Leverage machine data, sensors, vision, robotics, edge devices, and industrial communication platforms to improve capability, traceability, and decision making.
• Communicate clear technical updates, data summaries, risks, and recommendations to project leaders, management, and engineering teams.
• Drive alignment across global and site teams so solutions are deployable, supportable, maintainable, and sustainable.
• Other tasks and duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering Technology, or equivalent experience.
• Two or more years of relevant experience, preferably with an automation integrator or machine builder.
• Experience designing automated machinery, custom equipment, fixtures, prototypes, or manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to develop mechanical automation solutions integrated with controls, robotics, vision, sensors, motion control, machine safety, and data collection.
• Ability to align mechanical design, controls architecture, machine data, and process requirements early in development.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks and/or NX; Teamcenter experience is a plus.
• Strong communication, organization, and technical presentation skills, including written updates, PowerPoint, CAD models, graphical tools, and data-based analysis.

Tools We Prefer You To Have

• Strong analytical skills, including DOE, statistical analysis, risk analysis, flow layout, and related engineering tools.
• Working knowledge of Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing, digital manufacturing, connected equipment, or structured machine data.
• Experience with AI/ML manufacturing applications, predictive quality, predictive maintenance, process optimization, anomaly detection, or data-driven troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with digital twins, simulation, virtual commissioning, Power BI, SQL, OPC-UA, MQTT, APIs, data historians, or edge-connected systems.
• Experience with robotics, machine vision, laser or resistance welding, assembly automation, material handling, part feeding, custom machines, PLC/HMI systems, LabVIEW, Python, robot programming, Cognex/Keyence vision, industrial networking, machine safety, or automation equipment reviews.
• Hands-on experience with prototyping, 3D printing, lab equipment, prototype fabrication, test stands, troubleshooting, or advanced manufacturing lab support.
• Mechanical aptitude across fixture design, metalworking, stamping, injection molding, machining, automated assembly, polishing, and grinding.
• Able to manage multiple projects, solve problems hands-on, support construction-trade tools, and travel domestically or internationally as required.