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 selecting optimal solution designs.
• 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 building collateral for vendor technology reviews and requests for quotes, evaluating design options across vendors and solutions.
• Manage smaller implementation projects, including updating punch lists, project plans, and tracking milestones and requirements.
• Support implementation status calls, verify on-site support, and handle escalation events to ensure effective communication between vendors and on-site staff.
• Coordinate post-go-live hypercare and support on-site teams during Solution Acceptance Test (SAT) testing and punch list tracking for uptime items.
• Perform data analytics to profile system data and support optimization projects, including analyzing reports from technology controls systems and WMS/WES.
• Support Solutions Acceptance Testing (SAT) and track punch list items post-go-live.
• Review team strategy with management to set personal goals and validate financial spend, supporting project leads in tracking project budgets.
• Partner with vendors to resolve Priority 1-5 tickets related to degraded performance or system downtime, and join P1/P2 resolution calls.
• Develop and execute pilot activities, including defining hypotheses, proof of concept, formalizing teams, identifying pilot locations, obtaining approvals, evaluating vendors, and determining timelines.
• Evaluate, pilot, and deploy new warehouse automation technologies, validating them through Proof of Concept (POC) implementations and coordinating value-justification with senior management and cross-functional teams.
• Support vendor communication for minor projects and 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 exposure to technologies such as sortation conveyor, goods-to-person, autonomous vehicles/robots, or ASRS Required.
• Beginner-level knowledge of automation, management consulting, physical and process robotics Required.
• Beginner-level knowledge of Warehouse Management operations, data analytics, Industrial Engineering, warehouse types (ambient, temperature-controlled), 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 familiarity with Network Design Tools (e.g., Llamasoft) and Data Visualization Software (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) 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 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 part 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 drive operational improvements and coach business owners in deploying new 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 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%.