Automation Reliability & Sustaining Operations Engineer

Meta•Kansas City, MO

1d•$138,000 - $196,000•Onsite

About The Position

Meta is seeking an experienced Automation Reliability & Sustaining Operations Engineer to own the ongoing health, uptime, and performance of the advanced robotic and automation systems already deployed across Meta's warehouse network. This role is the bridge between physical logistics operations and the automated systems that run them — with a focus on maximizing throughput, minimizing downtime, and driving Operating Expense (OPEX) reductions through reliable, well-maintained automation rather than manual labor. This role is crucial to keep the network running: leading root-cause analysis on subsystem failures, managing preventive and corrective maintenance, qualifying end-of-life hardware and software replacements, and driving continuous improvement across the existing and upcoming warehouse footprint. You will directly support the anticipated centralized warehouse growth by ensuring each facility stays maintainable, resilient, and performing to target as the network scales.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Mechatronics, Electrical, Industrial, or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience
10+ years of experience in automation or controls engineering within warehousing, distribution, or manufacturing
Experience sustaining and maintaining material handling automation (ASRS, AMRs, conveyance) and PLC/WCS/WES systems in a live operating environment
Hands-on experience troubleshooting, debugging, integrating, calibrating, and validating electromechanical systems with actuators and sensors
Experience working with mechanical actuators, motors, and electrical sensor integration
Willingness to work on-site and travel across the warehouse network. (up to 50%)

Nice To Haves

Experience running sustaining/maintenance operations in new or existing / brownfield automated facilities
Familiarity with remote-monitoring or robotics control-center operating models
Track record building preventive/predictive maintenance and reliability (RCM, TPM, or equivalent) programs
Demonstrated track record of delivering OPEX reduction through improved automation uptime and reliability
Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)
Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)
Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies

Responsibilities

Own sustaining operations of conveyor and sortation systems — conveyors, sorters, merges, diverts, transfers, and accumulation zones — ensuring sustained uptime and throughput
Sustain and optimize deployed automation systems: ASRS, AMRs, pallet shuttles, gantry layer picking, auto-boxing, conveyance, and damage-detection systems
Apply deep mechatronics and system-level expertise to perform root cause analysis on robotic subsystem and automation failures, and drive continuous improvement
Document root cause analyses and mitigations for critical issues, and build the reliability playbooks the network operates from
Integrate, qualify, calibrate, and document replacements for end-of-life (EOL) hardware and software components
Establish and manage preventive and predictive maintenance programs to reduce unplanned downtime and extend equipment life
Sustain WMS/WES/WCS integration with automation systems, ensuring seamless data flow, PLC communication, and exception handling in day-to-day operations
Maintain and refine exception zones (damage, hold, quarantine) and uphold safety and compliance requirements
Support the transition to, and steady-state running of, the Robotics Control Center remote-monitoring model
Build and develop an effective facility maintenance team, leading training to ensure high performance
Evaluate the effectiveness of utilities and equipment, providing solutions to operational challenges and risks
Oversee facility inspections, repairs, and upgrades, maintaining order and readiness across operations
Manage automation vendors and service partners for spares, warranty, service-level performance, and retrofit/upgrade work on existing equipment