Automation Engineer (LAP)

Ford Motor Company • Louisville, KY

2d • $84,480 - $141,360 • Onsite

About The Position

Louisville Assembly Plant is undergoing a transformation as the future home of the Ford Fathom™, the first truck built on Ford's Universal Electric Vehicle platform. The Automation Engineer applies designs, implements, and optimizes automated control systems, robotics, and industrial machinery to maximize manufacturing efficiency, product quality, and operational safety. The role is based at the Louisville Assembly Plant and is listed as onsite. The normal schedule is dayshift, with the ability to work alternate shifts as business needs dictate.

The role focuses on advanced material-handling automation, including AMRs, AGVs, automated dock systems, and ASRS systems. It also involves digital integration, performance analysis, process improvement, project leadership, and support for plant launches, new line installations, and technology ramp-ups. This is a salary grade 7 position with a stated salary range of $84,480–$141,360. Visa sponsorship is not available; candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation, or related experience.
• At least 3 years of experience in automation or manufacturing operations; related internships or co-op experience count.
• Experience in high-volume manufacturing or automotive environments.
• Validated experience managing a unionized workforce.
• Hands-on experience with advanced material-handling technologies, including AMRs, AGVs, and automated dock systems.
• Experience defining functional requirements, layouts, and traffic logic for AMR/AGV systems.
• Understanding of fleet management systems, task orchestration, and exception handling.
• Experience with ASRS material storage/retrieval systems.
• PLC experience.
• Experience integrating AMR/AGV systems with ERP, WMS, and MES.
• Working knowledge of PLC interfaces, sensors, scanners, and safety systems.
• Strong data analysis skills using Excel, Power BI, SQL, or similar.
• Must be able to work alternate shifts as business needs dictate.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Preference for experience with Allen Bradley and Siemens systems.

Responsibilities

• Apply designs, implement, and optimize automated control systems, robotics, and industrial machinery to maximize manufacturing efficiency, product quality, and operational safety.
• Evaluate, pilot, implement, and optimize new logistics technologies.
• Define functional requirements, layouts, and traffic logic for AMR/AGV systems.
• Coordinate with automation vendors and system integrators.
• Integrate AMR/AGV systems with ERP, WMS, and MES.
• Use data analysis to monitor system performance and KPIs.
• Lead or support automation, digitalization, and smart factory initiatives.
• Apply Lean/CI principles to automated material flows.
• Support plant launches, new line installations, and technology ramp-ups.
• Conduct capacity analysis, ROI justification, and performance validation for automation projects.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage.
• Flexible family care, parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare, and more.
• Family-building benefits, including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement and fertility treatments.
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members, and management leases.
• Tuition assistance.
• Employee resource groups.
• Paid time off for individual and team community service.
• Paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

What This Job Offers

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