Warehouse Automation Engineer

This position is responsible for identifying, evaluating, piloting, and deploying new warehouse automation technologies, followed by installation and optimization. The role drives efficiencies to grow existing business and win new opportunities by leveraging a breadth of knowledge across various business types and automation technologies.

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.
• 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 budgets.
• Partner with vendors to resolve priority tickets related to degraded or downed automation performance and join 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 and coordinating value justification with senior management.
• 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).
• 2+ years of experience in warehouse automation, including technologies such as sortation conveyor, goods-to-person, autonomous vehicles/robots, or ASRS (Required).
• Beginner-level knowledge of automation, management consulting, and physical/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, including 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 knowledge of Industrial or Mechanical Engineering or equivalent warehouse operational experience (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 organizational levels.
• Ability to work independently and as part 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 new 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. The position may also be eligible for an annual bonus, commission, and/or long-term incentive plan based on 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%.