Warehouse Automation Engineer

About the Role

This Warehouse Automation Engineering position is responsible for identifying, evaluating, piloting, and deploying new warehouse automation technologies, followed by the installation and optimization of these technologies. The role drives efficiencies to grow existing business and win new business by differentiating Ryder through dedicated teams and capabilities. The position requires a breadth of knowledge across various business types and automation technologies.

Work directly with internal operations, solution design, continuous improvement, information technology, product teams, and stakeholders to identify, select, and deploy new technology with automation partners. Consult with internal and external contacts to demonstrate the value and feasibility of warehouse automation capabilities, creating a competitive differentiator.

Responsibilities

• Lead minor RFP projects and support the lead engineer on major RFP projects by identifying potential automation technologies and building ROI/justification for optimal solution design.
• Support the automation project lead in identifying gaps in vendor Functional Specification Documents (FSD) and Scope of Work (SOW) using the FSD Checklist process.
• Provide input on automation solution designs to ensure key items are considered for implementation and ongoing operational performance, reviewing design options for clearance, power requirements, cost-effectiveness, and SLA targets.
• Assist in building collateral for vendor tech review requests and requests for quotes, evaluating design options from various vendors and solutions.
• Manage smaller implementation projects, including updating punch lists and project plans, tracking milestones, and ensuring project requirements are met.
• Attend implementation status calls, verify and prioritize optimal on-site support, ensure vendor and on-site staff communication, and handle escalation events.
• Coordinate support for the on-site team during post-go-live hypercare and support Solution Acceptance Test (SAT) testing plans.
• Track punch list items post-go-live to ensure uptime.
• Profile data from dashboards and systems to support system optimization projects and perform data analysis on technology controls systems and WMS/WES.
• Support Solutions Acceptance Testing (SAT) and strategy reviews with management to set personal goals.
• Validate project spend with managers and support project leads in tracking project budgets.
• Partner with vendors to resolve Priority 1-5 tickets related to degraded performance or downtime, and join P1/P2 resolution calls.
• Support vendor communication for minor projects.
• Develop pilot activities, define proof of concept, formalize teams, identify pilot locations, obtain approvals, evaluate vendors, and determine pilot timelines.
• Deploy acceptable pilots to evaluate business fit and operational feasibility, feeding results into the solution design team for new business proposals.
• Evaluate, pilot, and deploy new warehouse automation technologies, validating new technology through Proof of Concept (POC) implementations.
• Coordinate value-justification of projects with senior management and cross-functional teams.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field of study (Required).
• Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field of study (Preferred).
• 3+ years of experience in warehouse automation, material handling technologies, industrial engineering, or warehouse systems integration (Preferred).
• 2+ years of demonstrated experience in warehouse automation (Preferred).
• 2+ years of experience in warehouse automation, including technologies such as sortation conveyor, goods-to-person, autonomous vehicles/robots, or ASRS’s (Required).
• Beginner-level experience in automation, management consulting, physical and process robotic experience (Required).
• Beginner-level knowledge of Warehouse Management operations, data analytics, Industrial Engineering, warehouse types (ambient, temp control), and Lean methods (Required).
• Intermediate-level knowledge of all available material handling equipment and automation types, such as forklift applications, racking designs, packaging devices, and automation design (Required).
• Beginner-level proficiency in Warehouse Design Tools (e.g., CAD, slotting, MOST, simulation, WMS, Labor Management). Network Design Tools (e.g., Llamasoft) and Data Visualization Software (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) are a plus (Required).
• Beginner-level experience in Industrial or Mechanical Engineering or equivalent warehouse operational knowledge (Required).
• Intermediate-level experience in financial business case analysis to support targeted return on investment (Preferred).
• Travel required: 30-40%.

Skills

• Strong planning, time management, collaboration, decision-making, organization, and presentation skills.
• High degree of comfort with ambiguity and uncertainty.
• Ability to create and maintain professional relationships at all levels of the organization (peers, work groups, customers, supervisors).
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Passion for understanding clients' and internal customers' vision and business goals.
• Ability to champion ambiguous scenarios and challenges.
• Natural sense of leadership and ownership in research, pilot, and thought leadership activities.
• Problem-solver with a curious, hands-on mentality.
• Act as a change agent in adopting warehouse automation technologies to deliver operational improvements and coach business owners in deploying these technologies.
• Demonstrated success in assessing, developing, and deploying new offerings or incremental enhancements.

Pay

Salaried position with a minimum pay range of $100,000 and a maximum pay range of $120,000. The position may also be eligible for an annual bonus, commission, and/or long-term incentive plan based on level and/or type.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health and welfare benefits, including medical, prescription, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability insurance options.
• Paid time off for vacation, illness, bereavement, family, and parental leave.
• Tax-advantaged 401(k) retirement savings plan.