Automation & Assembly Process Engineer

Freudenberg Group•Morganfield, KY

About The Position

The Automation & Assembly Process Engineer will develop, validate, and optimize integrated assembly processes and automation sequences. This role involves owning the performance of various automated systems from commissioning through serial production, defining operating sequences, and leading critical project activities such as FAT, SAT, and production handover. The engineer will drive improvements in throughput, uptime, and efficiency, while also coordinating with suppliers and ensuring stable end-to-end production flow. Additionally, the role supports process simulation and digital twin development, and requires close collaboration with multiple internal teams and external suppliers.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics, Automation, Electrical, Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Controls Engineering.
Five or more years of experience with automated automotive manufacturing or comparable industrial systems.
Hands-on experience with PLCs, HMIs, industrial robots, servo motion, sensors, safety circuits, industrial networks, and vision systems.
Experience with equipment commissioning, supplier management, machine acceptance, and production launches.
Ability to read electrical, pneumatic, mechanical, and controls documentation and lead multidisciplinary troubleshooting.
Systems thinking and equipment integration.
Structured troubleshooting under production pressure.
Supplier and change-control management.

Responsibilities

Develop, validate, and optimize the integrated assembly process and automation sequence.
Own gantry, robotic, PLC/HMI, servo, sensor, vision, AI-inspection, and automated material-handling performance from commissioning through serial production.
Define and validate operating sequences, safety interlocks, error proofing, fault handling, manual recovery, and controlled restart modes.
Lead FAT, SAT, machine runoff, installation, commissioning, debug, Run@Rate, and production handover activities.
Drive throughput, automation uptime, labor efficiency, cycle-time, MTBF, MTTR, and false-reject improvements.
Coordinate supplier technical actions, software and mechanical changes, punch-list closure, documentation, and release evidence.
Develop backup and contingency concepts that protect delivery when automation or an assembly module is unavailable.
Maintain controls standards, backup files, change logs, spare-parts requirements, and technical training materials.
Support process simulation and the future digital-twin development approach with accurate machine logic and production data.
Partner with Vulcanization, Maintenance, Quality, Production, IT/OT, EHS, and supplier teams to ensure stable end-to-end flow with no uncontrolled WIP.