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 opportunities by differentiating Ryder through dedicated automation capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support RFP projects by identifying and validating automation technologies for new business opportunities, building ROI justifications, and assisting in presentation development.
• 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 implementation and operational performance considerations are addressed, including clearance, power requirements, cost-effectiveness, and SLA targets.
• 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, project plans, and tracking milestones and requirements.
• Support implementation by attending status calls, verifying on-site support, coordinating vendor and staff communication, and handling escalations.
• Coordinate post-go-live hypercare and support on-site Solution Acceptance Test (SAT) testing plans, including tracking punch list items for uptime.
• Perform data analytics to profile system data and support optimization projects, including 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 support project leads in tracking project budgets.
• Partner with vendors to troubleshoot and resolve priority tickets related to degraded or down automation performance, including joining P1/P2 resolution calls.
• Support vendor communication for minor projects and develop pilot activities, including defining hypotheses, proof of concepts, and pilot timelines.
• Evaluate, pilot, and deploy new warehouse automation technologies, validating them through Proof of Concept (POC) implementations.
• Coordinate value-justification of projects with senior management and cross-functional teams.
• 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 (Preferred).
• Experience with warehouse automation technologies, including sortation conveyor, goods-to-person, autonomous vehicles/robots, and ASRS’s (Required).
• Beginner-level knowledge 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 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) and Network Design Tools (e.g., Llamasoft). Data Visualization Software (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) is 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).

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.
• 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-solving mindset 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 pay range of $100,000 to $120,000 annually. Eligible for annual bonus, commission, and/or long-term incentive plan based on role level and 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.

Schedule

Travel required: 30-40%.