Automation Specialist

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced Automation Specialist to support automation systems and material handling equipment within our fulfillment center. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the commissioning, validation, reliability, performance, and continuous improvement of conveyor and warehouse automation systems while supporting facility operations and safety.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the site expert for maintaining and supporting automation systems that are critical to fulfillment center operations.
• Understand, maintain, and troubleshoot material handling control systems, including PLC, conveyor drivers, Goods To Person system.
• Support commissioning, testing, and optimization of new automation equipment, upgrades, and system expansions.
• Diagnose and resolve issues related to industrial networks and controls, including Ethernet/IP, ControlNet, DeviceNet, Profibus, Motor control systems, Servo drives and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), Electrical distribution and control panels.
• Maintain and optimize motor-driven roller (MDR), including belts, motors, scanners, printers, sensors, diverts, merges, and print-and-apply automation.
• Partner with WMS providers, automation software vendors, and IT teams to resolve system-level issues and implement performance improvements.
• Utilize WMS tools to monitor conveyor flow, clear jams, adjust photo-eyes, and optimize routing logic.
• Strong understanding of Fanuc robotic systems, LIDAR sensors, and Cobots.
• Monitor material handling equipment (MHE) performance metrics, including uptime, throughput, fault trends, and downtime.
• Partner with maintenance and operations teams to address system performance issues and provide data-driven analysis across all fulfillment operations.
• Identify recurring automation issues and lead root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective action implementation.
• Develop, execute, and continuously improve preventive and predictive maintenance programs for automation and control systems.
• Ensure all maintenance activities comply with site safety policies, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures.
• Provide first-level escalation support for site technicians, both locally and remotely, during automation and controls troubleshooting.
• Train and mentor technicians and operators on automation systems, diagnostics, and safe maintenance practices.
• Partner with Safety to support health, safety, and compliance initiatives, proactively identifying and mitigating automation-related hazards.
• Document system designs, testing procedures, and maintenance protocols to support ongoing operations.
• Stay up to date with advancements in warehouse technology and recommend improvements or upgrades as needed.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Technical vocational training or Bachelor's degree in Automation, Electrical, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Strong technical knowledge of warehouse automation and material handling systems.
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting PLC-controlled automation systems, sensors, pneumatics, electrical systems, servo drives, and VFDs.
• Working knowledge of industrial communication networks (Ethernet/IP, ControlNet, DeviceNet, Profibus).
• Experience using CMMS and WCS platforms in a fulfillment or distribution center environment.
• Analytical problem-solving skills, with the ability to debug and optimize complex systems.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with technicians, operations, IT, vendors, and contractors.
• Ability to provide on-call support outside of standard shift hours as required.

Preferred Experience

• Supporting high-speed, high-volume fulfillment center automation.
• Experience with preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and automation reporting tools.
• 2+ years of experience with Ladder Logic and structure programming from Allen-Bradley.