Lead Automation Engineer
Fisher Dynamics•St. Clair Shores, MI
•Hybrid
About The Position
Fisher Dynamics is seeking a Lead Automation Engineer for their corporate AME team in Saint Clair Shores, MI. This position is responsible for leading the strategic vision, design, and deployment of advanced automation systems across manufacturing facilities. The role bridges physical automation with digital engineering, leveraging cutting-edge simulation software and virtual commissioning to optimize plant throughput, minimize launch risks, and guarantee flawless execution of complex automotive assembly lines.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or a highly relevant engineering discipline
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive engineering experience in high-volume manufacturing (automotive supplier experience heavily preferred)
- At least 5 years leading automation engineering teams
- Advanced proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks, Catia, or Inventor) for mechanical design and mechanism simulation.
- Direct experience programming or defining architectures for industrial robotics (Fanuc, Kuka, ABB, or Yaskawa) and PLCs (Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens).
- Mastery of simulation platforms such as Siemens Process Simulate/Plant Simulation, Dassault Systèmes DELMIA, Visual Components, or Arena.
- Deep technical understanding of PLC/HMI architectures (Rockwell, Siemens), robotic programming (FANUC, KUKA, ABB), and industrial networks.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
Responsibilities
- Analyze existing manual assembly, welding, material handling, and inspection processes across plants to identify automation opportunities that directly offset labor constraints and reduce operational costs.
- Lead the physical and mechanical design of custom automated work cells, including mechanical concepts, end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), parts-feeding mechanisms, and fixture designs using 3D CAD platforms.
- Oversee or directly perform prototyping, debugging, and final deployment of automated systems into active production lines.
- Architect and deploy solutions utilizing multi-axis industrial robotics, collaborative robots (cobots), high-speed vision inspection, autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs/AMRs), and advanced PLC architectures.
- Author detailed Capital Expenditure (CapEx) proposals, providing technical validation and ROI analysis demonstrating labor-hour savings and payback timelines.
- Establish the corporate roadmap for digital wins, virtual commissioning, and advanced automation simulation.
- Lead a team of automation, controls, and simulation engineers to design and validate robotic work cells, material handling systems, and assembly lines.
- Utilize discrete event and kinematic simulation tools to predict cycle times, eliminate bottlenecks, and optimize ergonomics prior to physical build.
- Oversee virtual commissioning workflows, ensuring PLC logic, HMI screens, and robot paths are fully verified in a digital environment.
- Partner with automotive OEMs and internal stakeholders to ensure all automated systems achieve compliance with IATF 16949 and customer specifications.
- Manage multi-million dollar CAPEX budgets for automation equipment, providing clear ROI justifications backed by simulation data.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
