Autonomous Robotics Launch Engineer

Ford Motor • Allen Park, MI

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

We made history and now work to transform the future – for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters. This role is for a Technical Solutions Lead who will be instrumental in exploring, planning, and launching the use of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) for material deliveries within manufacturing facilities. As the Lead, you'll be working with a technical team that goes directly onsite to plants. Your main mission will be to thoroughly evaluate these locations – looking at the physical space, analyzing how materials currently move around, and working closely with the people who know the facility best. In this crucial role, you will be at the forefront of evaluating manufacturing facilities for the potential implementation of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). You'll work with a dedicated team of technical specialists onsite, diving deep into facility conditions, analyzing current material flow processes, and collaborating closely with plant personnel. Your expertise will be key in launching AMR solutions, assessing their feasibility, and documenting all findings to pave the way for successful automation deployments. This role places you at the center of material flow automation, where your primary objective is to evaluate facilities for Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) readiness and successfully lead AMRs project launches on schedule and within budget.

Requirements

• Require a Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field (like Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or a related technical discipline).
• Strong technical foundation is essential.
• Experience in Manufacturing/Industrial Environments- 2 plus years
• Proven experience working within manufacturing, production, or logistics/warehousing facilities. This is crucial because the role involves evaluating real-world plant conditions and processes.
• Experience with material handling processes and IT systems is highly beneficial.
• Direct experience with automation technologies, particularly robotics or Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), is a major requirement. Understanding how AMRS work, their capabilities, limitations, and implementation challenges is key.
• Experience in evaluating, designing, or deploying automation solutions would be very relevant.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders within a plant environment (e.g., Industrial Engineers, Manufacturing Planning & Logistics, Plant IT, operators, supervisors). Serving as a primary technical point of contact requires strong interpersonal skills.
• North America Travel required to support launching facilities

Nice To Haves

• Require a Master degree in a relevant engineering field (like Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or a related technical discipline).
• Strong technical foundation is essential.
• 3-5 years of direct experience with automation technologies, particularly robotics or Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), is a major requirement. Understanding how AMRS work, their capabilities, limitations, and implementation challenges is key.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the onsite evaluation team, including AMRs Launch Specialists, Controls Engineers, IT Integration Specialists, and Layout Engineers.
• Direct the comprehensive assessment of manufacturing facilities, focusing on factors impacting AMR deployment.
• Material Flow Analysis & Process Mapping for AMRs applications : Lead the detailed analysis of current material handling processes within the facility.
• Launch AMRs and Collaboration with AMRs OEMs and Plant Personnel.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of 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