Associate Principal Engineer - Warehouse Automation Engineering Management

PepsiCo • Plano, TX

3d • $93,500 - $156,450

About The Position

The Automation Ops Support Leader leads, maintains, and improves warehouse automation system reliability, capability, and operational stability. The role applies programs and governance to address losses and improve reliability, partnering with engineering, project teams, site resources and maintenance, IT, Finance, and automation vendors to identify problems and improve operational efficiency and throughput. The position is required to be based at a Headquarters location or Automated Facility and involves travel more than 75% of the time.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Warehousing, Engineering, or Supply Chain Optimization.
• 5–10+ years of experience in beverage or food field operations.
• Working or skilled knowledge of TPM pillars: AM, PM, FI, and EM.
• Knowledge of LSS methodologies, project management processes, and the CQV process (Commissioning, Qualification, Verification).
• Proven track record with LSS, TPM, and/or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Process-oriented approach and drive for sustainable results.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Leadership and management skills.
• Ability to influence and inspire key decision makers.
• Motivated self-starter able to navigate ambiguity to resolve issues.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to travel more than 75% of the time.
• Ability to be based at a Headquarters location or Automated Facility.

Nice To Haves

• Process Improvement Engineer background.
• Understanding of warehouse automation, including AGV, ATLS, and ASRS.
• Electromechanical experience in automation.
• Understanding of hydraulic and electrical schematics.
• Experience with product and vendor manuals.

Responsibilities

• Provide weekly, period, and year-to-date updates to operations and key stakeholders, including performance, downtime trend analysis, improvement planning, fault and error code analysis, and open help desk tickets.
• Correct trends through early intervention, coordinating support, resources, and escalation.
• Provide governance for the health of automation technology through annual technical audits and controls for systems and equipment.
• Develop, own, and manage mastery of processes, uses, and strategies that improve automation efficiency, utilization, reliability, and throughput.
• Apply reliability expertise to stabilize operations and improve efficiency through procedural, operational, or capital improvements during planned and unplanned downtime or outages.
• Lead problem-solving evaluations requiring deeper expertise and root-cause analysis, identifying problem statements, potential solutions, prioritized actions, and timely resolutions.
• Ensure training provided during projects and after installation remains relevant to applications and aligns with operational program support strategies.

Benefits

• Performance-based bonus with an eligible target payout of 12% of annual salary, paid annually.
• Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement leave.
• Medical, dental, vision, and disability benefits.
• Health and dependent care reimbursement accounts.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Accident, group legal, and life insurance.
• Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior