Automation Specialist

Howmet Aerospace•Whitehall, MI

13d

About The Position

The Automation Specialist supports projects across Howmet Engines, developing and programming new manufacturing technology and supporting existing technology at Howmet plants. The role collaborates with design teams, plant automation technicians, operators, and vendors, and follows equipment through build and production implementation, including establishing preventive maintenance plans and identifying critical spare parts. The position also integrates automated inspection systems with robotics, PLCs, MES, SCADA, and production lines; analyzes inspection data and system performance; and improves inspection accuracy, throughput, repeatability, and quality. It supports validation, calibration, troubleshooting, compliance documentation, and continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and Industry 4.0 approaches. Travel to other Howmet facilities is required.

Requirements

Four years of automation experience.
Legally authorized to work in the United States; employment eligibility verification is required at hire.
Able to travel 25–50% to other Howmet facilities.

Nice To Haves

Two to three years working with controls or programming robotics in industrial, manufacturing engineering, or automation engineering environments.
Experience with six-axis articulating-arm robotics.
Proficiency in robot programming, I/O management, and troubleshooting robotic system logic.
Experience troubleshooting robotic mechanical and electrical systems, including pneumatics, sensors, tooling, measurement feedback systems, and basic design robustness.
Proficiency in off-line programming environments.
Basic understanding of controls and servo systems.
Basic understanding of tooling and fixture design.
Experience with programmable logic controllers (PLCs).

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and program new advanced manufacturing equipment and automation.
Support and develop automation technicians across multiple Howmet facilities.
Support engineering and manufacturing teams in improving existing processes.
Coordinate robotic service visits.
Manage software controls and develop troubleshooting guides for plant technicians.
Integrate ADR systems with robotics, PLCs, MES, SCADA, and production lines, ensuring communication between inspection hardware, automation controllers, and quality databases.
Analyze inspection data trends, defect signatures, and system performance; develop algorithms or rulesets to improve detection accuracy and reduce false positives.
Identify bottlenecks in inspection and automation workflows and implement improvements to increase throughput, reduce scrap, and enhance repeatability.
Lead investigations into defect trends, equipment failures, and process deviations using structured problem-solving methodologies.
Conduct validation, calibration, and capability studies for ADR and NDT systems to support compliance with automotive quality standards.
Collaborate with Quality, Production, Maintenance, and NDT Level II/III personnel to ensure inspection systems meet operational and regulatory requirements.
Maintain technical documentation, inspection procedures, and compliance records aligned with automotive and NDT standards.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives involving automation, digital inspection, and data-driven quality.
Follow equipment through build and production implementation, including establishing preventive maintenance plans and identifying critical spare parts.