Automation Engineer

KFC•Plano, TX

58d•Hybrid

About The Position

Who is Yum! Brands? Ready to make your mark at an iconic global powerhouse? Join Yum! Brands - the parent company behind KFC, Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill - be a part of our reinvention for Greater Growth. We are a culture-driven company where innovation, collaboration, and passion fuel everything we do. We’re seeking talented individuals to make a difference across our global business. Whether you’re just starting out or stepping into leadership, you’ll help shape our future by delivering results that matter and bringing your smart, heart, and courage to the table. If you’re ready to grow with a company that values curiosity, high performance, and meaningful work—join us. Let’s build the future of Yum! together! About the Job: We are seeking a Senior Automation Engineer to lead the integration, validation, and deployment of automation solutions that enhance restaurant operations. As A Senior Automation Engineer, you will serve as the bridge between product development and field execution, ensuring systems are reliable, scalable, and ready for real-world implementation. The Senior Automation Engineer will work closely with cross-functional teams and external partners to drive automation initiatives from concept through rollout. The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer with strong technical expertise and project leadership experience. This person will be able to drive progress, solve integration challenges, and ensure automation systems perform effectively in real-world restaurant environments. You will be required to attend the Plano, TX office three days per week (Tuesday - Thursday). Salary Range: $99,200 - $116,700 + bonus eligibility. This is the expected salary range for this position. Ultimately, in determining pay, we'll consider the successful candidate’s location, experience, and other job-related factors.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Industrial Engineering, or a related field
5–10 years of experience in automation, robotics, or product development
Experience working with external vendors, suppliers, or engineering partners
Demonstrated experience supporting systems from prototype through deployment
Hands-on experience with prototyping, testing, and system validation
Ability to read, interpret, and work with technical documentation
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to drive execution in a fast-paced environment
Working knowledge of CAD and 3D modeling tools (e.g., SolidWorks)

Nice To Haves

Experience in foodservice, food manufacturing, or similar operational environments
Familiarity with simulation tools (e.g., Simio)
Working knowledge of CAD and 3D modeling tools (e.g., SolidWorks)

Responsibilities

Lead day-to-day execution of automation development projects
Coordinate across internal teams and external engineering partners
Drive timelines, decision-making, and issue resolution to maintain project momentum
Ensure mechanical, controls, and software components function as an integrated system
Identify and mitigate integration risks early in the development process
Support system architecture decisions in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders
Develop and execute test plans in both lab and restaurant environments
Evaluate system performance including throughput, reliability, usability, and cleanability
Analyze test results and provide clear recommendations for improvement
Develop functional requirements and system specifications
Align cross-functional stakeholders on performance expectations and success criteria
Ensure external partners are building to clearly defined requirements