Spec Mfg Technology Automation

3M • Maplewood, MN

22h • Onsite

About The Position

This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career. As an Automation Manufacturing Technology Specialist, the person will provide technical leadership for packaging automation, end-of-line systems, and automated material handling across manufacturing sites. This role will focus on developing and deploying automation solutions, equipment improvements, and process standards that improve safety, quality, productivity, labor efficiency, changeover efficiency, flow, and equipment reliability. Beyond specific projects, this position will help build long-term organizational capability by developing standards, applying lessons learned, supporting supplier development, and replicating best practices across sites. As a(n) Automation Manufacturing Technology Specialist you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative people around the world.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Control and Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related engineering discipline or higher (completed and verified prior to start)
• Ten (10) years of engineering experience, preferably in manufacturing, project, converting, automation, or equipment design in a private, public, government or military environment
• Three (3) years of experience with packaging automation, end-of-line systems, robotics, material handling, or manufacturing equipment projects.
• Five (5) years of experience with machine automation, mechanical systems, product handling, case handling, conveyor systems, robotic automation, machine safety, and process integration.
• Working knowledge of industrial automation systems, including PLCs, HMIs, servo drives, VFDs, robotics, vision systems, safety systems, sensors, and industrial networks.
• Experience managing capital projects (CAPEX), including scope definition, business case support, supplier engagement, execution planning, and project delivery.
• Demonstrated experience leading equipment projects from concept through design, FAT, installation, SAT, startup, and production ramp-up.
• Strong understanding of machine safety requirements, including guarding, EHS expectations, risk assessments, safety validation, LOTO, operator access, and maintenance access.
• Ability to work with external equipment suppliers, challenge technical solutions, and drive alignment on requirements, standards, throughput, and acceptance criteria.
• Strong project execution mindset, including scope control, risk management, timeline management, stakeholder alignment, issue resolution, and startup readiness.
• Hands-on, boots-on-the-ground engineering mindset, with strong responsiveness and the ability to quickly troubleshoot issues, align stakeholders, and drive practical solutions during FAT, installation, startup, and production ramp-up.
• Strong project execution mindset, including scope control, risk management, timeline management, stakeholder alignment, and issue resolution.
• Ability to influence plant teams, suppliers, and cross-functional partners without direct authority.
• Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in engineering from an accredited institution
• Twelve (12) years of engineering experience, preferably in manufacturing, project, converting, automation, or equipment design in a private, public, government or military environment

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for packaging automation, end-of-line systems, and automated material handling across manufacturing sites, supporting both current project needs and long-term capability development.
• Provide technical leadership and direction for packaging automation initiatives, helping project teams evaluate technical options through data-driven analysis, engineering judgment, and calculated risk assessment.
• Define and review technical requirements, equipment specifications, process scope, layouts, throughput requirements, and acceptance criteria for new or upgraded packaging automation systems.
• Direct project teams technically across automation, controls, robotics, vision systems, safety, product handling, case handling, labeling, palletizing, and process integration.
• Lead or support the development of automation solutions such as case erectors, product feeding/loading, robotic pick-and-place, conveyors, case sealing, labeling, vision inspection, palletizing, and automated material movement.
• Define and support interfaces between packaging automation and end-of-line automation, for future include AGV/AMR integration, automated material movement, pallet flow, and warehouse connectivity.
• Partner with controls, logistics, warehouse, and operations teams to ensure packaging automation solutions are designed with future AGV/AMR integration and autonomous material handling in mind.
• Partner with plants to identify opportunities to improve safety, ergonomics, quality, labor productivity, waste, capacity, changeover time, flow, and equipment reliability.
• Work with suppliers to develop, challenge, and validate machine concepts, layouts, automation approaches, throughput assumptions, and technical proposals.
• Participate in and provide technical direction during design reviews, FAT, installation, commissioning, SAT, startup, and production ramp-up.
• Develop and apply standards, best practices, lessons learned, and technical guidelines for packaging automation and end-of-line systems.
• Collaborate with controls, mechanical, EHS, quality, operations, maintenance, supply chain, and project engineering teams to ensure robust and scalable solutions.
• Identify technical risks early and drive mitigation plans to reduce design gaps, rework, late-stage changes, startup delays, cost increases, and performance shortfalls.
• Evaluate equipment flexibility for different SKUs, box sizes, product formats, packaging materials, changeovers, and future growth needs.
• Support business cases, CAPEX planning, project roadmaps, and prioritization by providing technical input, feasibility assessment, cost/benefit evaluation, and risk analysis.
• Responsibilities of this position include that corporate policies, procedures and security standards are complied with while performing assigned duties.
• Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Supporting Your Well-being 3M offers many programs to help you live your best life – both physically and financially.
• To ensure competitive pay and benefits, 3M regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope.
• Pay & Benefits Overview: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/

What This Job Offers

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