AME Factory Automation Engineer

Vertiv•Novi, MI

About The Position

This role is responsible for owning the automation, manufacturing technology, and digital factory roadmap for STL. The engineer will identify, develop, implement, and scale automation solutions to improve safety, quality, productivity, and manufacturing performance, while supporting future growth and operational scalability. The position aligns automation strategy, manufacturing technology deployment, and production system integration. The near-term focus includes developing the STL automation strategy and deployment roadmap, evaluating automation opportunities across various manufacturing processes (machining, brazing, assembly, testing, material movement), supporting automation equipment selection and supplier engagement, developing business cases and implementation plans, defining automation requirements for new production cells, supporting controls integration and commissioning, partnering with Manufacturing Engineering, and supporting connected factory initiatives. The long-term focus involves owning the STL automation and manufacturing technology roadmap, leading future automation expansion projects, identifying opportunities for improvement, evaluating emerging technologies, developing automated material handling and factory connectivity strategies, standardizing automation technologies, supporting replication of successful technologies, partnering with leadership on investment strategies, and ensuring alignment with industry best practices.

Requirements

Strong knowledge of manufacturing automation technologies, robotics, controls systems, vision systems, and industrial networking.
Experience developing automation strategies, technology roadmaps, and manufacturing modernization initiatives.
Proven ability to identify, evaluate, and implement automation solutions that improve safety, quality, productivity, and labor efficiency.
Expertise in automation business case development, capital justification, and return-on-investment analysis.
Knowledge of automated material handling systems, AGVs/AMRs, conveyor systems, and warehouse automation technologies.
Experience with manufacturing controls architectures, PLC platforms, HMI systems, SCADA systems, and factory connectivity solutions.
Understanding of Industry 4.0 principles, connected factory technologies, IIoT platforms, and digital manufacturing systems.
Experience leading automation equipment selection, supplier evaluation, and system integration activities.
Knowledge of manufacturing system validation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and startup support processes.
Ability to define automation requirements for machining, assembly, brazing, testing, packaging, and material movement operations.
Experience standardizing automation technologies, deployment methodologies, and technical governance processes.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data-driven decision-making skills.
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives involving Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Quality, Facilities, Information Technology, and Supply Chain teams.
Proficient in project management and execution of complex capital and technology deployment projects.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including interaction with suppliers, plant leadership, and executive teams.
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or a related technical field.
Minimum of 8-12+ years of experience in industrial automation, advanced manufacturing engineering, controls engineering, robotics, manufacturing technology deployment, or related disciplines.
Demonstrated experience developing and implementing automation solutions within manufacturing environments.
Experience leading automation equipment selection, controls integration, factory commissioning, and production startup activities.
Strong knowledge of industrial robotics, machine vision systems, motion control systems, safety systems, PLC programming platforms, and industrial communications networks.
Experience with Industry 4.0, connected factory initiatives, manufacturing data systems, MES integration, and digital manufacturing technologies.
Proficiency with automation system architecture, controls design review, electrical schematics, and automation project lifecycle management.
Experience developing automation business cases, capital project justifications, and technology investment roadmaps.
Experience working with automation integrators, OEM suppliers, and cross-functional manufacturing teams on complex capital projects.
Demonstrated success deploying scalable manufacturing technologies that improve productivity, quality, safety, and operational performance.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.
Knowledge of automated material handling systems, AGVs/AMRs, warehouse automation, and factory logistics technologies preferred.
Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt, PMP, Certified Automation Professional (CAP), or equivalent professional certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop STL automation strategy and deployment roadmap.
Evaluate automation opportunities across machining, brazing, assembly, testing, and material movement.
Support automation equipment selection and supplier engagement.
Develop business cases and implementation plans for automation investments.
Define automation requirements for new production cells and manufacturing processes.
Support controls integration, system validation, and commissioning activities.
Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to ensure automation aligns with production flow and capacity requirements.
Support connected factory and digital manufacturing initiatives.
Establish automation standards and technology architecture for STL.
Own long-term STL automation and manufacturing technology roadmap.
Lead future automation expansion projects.
Identify opportunities to improve productivity, quality, safety, and labor efficiency through automation.
Evaluate emerging manufacturing technologies, robotics, controls, vision systems, and digital manufacturing tools.
Develop automated material handling and factory connectivity strategies.
Standardize automation technologies and deployment methodologies.
Support replication of successful manufacturing technologies across future facilities when applicable.
Partner with Operations and Business leadership on technology investment strategies.
Ensure STL remains aligned with industry best practices and advanced manufacturing technologies.