Warehouse Automation Engineer

This 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 advanced automation capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support RFP projects by identifying and validating automation technologies for new business opportunities, building ROI justifications, and assisting in solution design.
• Support contractual validation by 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 operational performance considerations, cost-effectiveness, and SLA targets are met.
• Assist in automation procurement by building collateral for vendor tech reviews and requests for quotes, and evaluating design options from various vendors.
• Manage smaller implementation projects, including updating punch lists, tracking milestones, and ensuring project requirements are met.
• Support implementation by attending status calls, verifying on-site support, coordinating vendor communication, and handling escalation events.
• Assist in post-go-live hypercare, Solution Acceptance Testing (SAT), and tracking punch list items for uptime.
• Perform data analytics to support system optimization projects, including profiling data from dashboards and analyzing reports from technology controls systems and WMS/WES.
• Support strategy and success measurement by reviewing team strategy with management and setting personal goals.
• Validate project spend with management and assist project leads in tracking project budgets.
• Partner with vendors to resolve priority tickets related to degraded or down performance of site automation and join P1/P2 resolution calls.
• Develop and execute pilot activities, including defining hypotheses, proof of concepts, formalizing teams, identifying pilot locations, and evaluating vendors.
• Evaluate, pilot, and deploy new warehouse automation technologies, validating them through Proof of Concept (POC) implementations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field Required.
• Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field 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, including technologies such as sortation conveyor, goods-to-person, autonomous vehicles/robots, or ASRS’s 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 material handling equipment and automation types, including forklift applications, racking designs, and packaging devices Required.
• Beginner-level proficiency in warehouse design tools (e.g., CAD, slotting, MOST, simulation, WMS, Labor Management) and data visualization software (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) Required. Network design tools (e.g., Llamasoft) are a plus.
• Beginner-level industrial or mechanical engineering knowledge or equivalent warehouse operational experience Required.
• Intermediate-level experience in financial business case analysis to support targeted return on investment Preferred.
• Experience in automation, management consulting, physical and process robotics Required.

Skills

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

Pay

Salaried position with a pay range of $100,000 to $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, and vision insurance.
• Life insurance and disability insurance options.
• Paid time off for vacation, illness, bereavement, family, and parental leave.
• Tax-advantaged 401(k) retirement savings plan.

Schedule

Travel required: 30-40%.