Business Technology and Automation Specialist

Sperry Rail

About The Position

The Business Technology and Automation Specialist partners with business and operational teams to find friction, improve workflows, and deliver practical technology-enabled solutions. The role combines business analysis, process improvement, business systems, data, automation, and AI-assisted development to turn emerging needs into scalable, measurable improvements. You will be a hands-on builder who is equally comfortable learning how the business works, shaping a solution with stakeholders, and delivering a usable first version. This is not a traditional business analyst, systems administration, or full-time software development position. It is a cross-functional business technology role focused on improving how the organization operates through connected platforms, better data, thoughtful automation, and disciplined execution. The seat is deliberately structured as a high-impact individual contributor role with an accelerated path to Senior Specialist. We run a formal capability review roughly six months after hire, and advancement is based on demonstrated results rather than tenure.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in information systems, computer science, business technology, engineering, analytics, or a related field; equivalent practical experience will be considered
Demonstrated experience solving business or operational problems through process improvement, technology, data, or automation
Strong analytical skills and the ability to work from an ambiguous request to a clearly defined and delivered outcome
Working understanding of software, databases, APIs, integrations, reporting, and modern development concepts
Ability to learn new platforms quickly and use AI-assisted, low-code, or automation tools effectively
Strong written and verbal communication skills across business and technical audiences
Ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, and operate independently with appropriate escalation
A collaborative, team-first mindset aligned with our values of being Humble, Hungry, and Smart

Nice To Haves

Experience in an industrial, transportation, maintenance, manufacturing, or other operationally complex environment
Experience across multiple business technology platforms, with an understanding of how systems, data, workflows, and people come together to support business operations
Hands-on experience with Power BI or similar reporting tools, Microsoft Power Platform or comparable automation tools, SQL, APIs, scripting, or AI-assisted application development
Experience leading cross-functional initiatives from discovery through implementation and adoption
Experience working with external software vendors, implementation partners, or managed service providers

Responsibilities

Partner with functional and operational teams to understand goals, pain points, constraints, and current state workflows
Facilitate discovery sessions, map processes, clarify requirements, and identify root causes rather than simply automating an inefficient process
Prioritize opportunities based on business value, effort, risk, adoption, and alignment with business objectives
Translate business language into clear solution requirements, user stories, process designs, and measurable outcomes
Design and deliver practical solutions using business platforms, low-code tools, workflow automation, reporting, AI-assisted development, and lightweight custom applications where appropriate
Develop prototypes and minimum viable solutions quickly, validate them with users, and improve them through iterative delivery
Configure forms, workflows, dashboards, alerts, approvals, and integrations that reduce friction and improve visibility
Coordinate with internal technology teams, external partners, and vendors when deeper infrastructure, development, security, or product expertise is required
Create or enhance dashboards, reports, and operational views that provide trusted and actionable information
Understand data sources, definitions, ownership, quality issues, and dependencies across business systems
Support data transformation, API-based integration, and workflow connectivity, escalating complex architecture or engineering needs appropriately
Promote consistent data definitions, traceability, and responsible use of information
Identify repeatable tasks and decisions that can be improved through automation or AI-enabled tools
Use AI responsibly to accelerate analysis, prototyping, development, documentation, testing, and user support
Evaluate emerging tools pragmatically, balancing potential value against security, maintainability, governance, and adoption
Create reusable automation patterns rather than isolated one-off solutions wherever practical
Plan and support testing, rollout, training, communication, and transition into sustainable ownership
Measure whether delivered solutions produce the intended business outcome, and adjust when they do not
Maintain clear documentation for workflows, solution logic, data definitions, dependencies, and support expectations
Communicate progress, risks, decisions, and next steps clearly