Principal Engineer - Automation

Wesco • Nashville, TN

6d • $108,479 - $184,414

About The Position

The Principal Engineer - Automation leads the architecture and development of automation solutions for warehouse material management. The role provides expert guidance to engineers and leads complex integration, development, and deployment of commercially available fulfillment automation systems designed to interact with other automation, robotics, and people to facilitate material movement and handling. The Principal Engineer contributes to the Global Automation Roadmap and leads the execution and implementation of automation and robotic designs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electronic Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or a similar field.
• 10 years of experience developing, integrating, and deploying mechatronic and robotic systems, with exposure to distribution center automation and digitization.
• 5 years of CAD/CAM experience and understanding of best practices for part design, advanced assemblies, and complex configuration management.
• 5 years of hands-on experience crafting proof-of-concept models and prototypes.
• Expert organizational skills and ability to work well with teams.
• Ability to communicate concepts effectively and write technical documents.
• Desire and energy to work in a fast-paced agile environment.
• Project management experience across the full lifecycle and proficiency in completing tasks to meet associated milestones.
• Experience evaluating design, performance, and logistical tradeoffs for hardware systems.
• Ability to travel 25%–50%.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree.
• Certified Automation Professional (CAP), Project Management Professional (PMP), or Certified Lean Six Sigma designation.

Responsibilities

• Execute product designs from concept to production with an interdisciplinary team, including specification, design, validation, and testing.
• Coordinate with Operations, Lean, Safety, Quality, vendors, and integrators to support smooth product launches and deliver automation solutions.
• Benchmark third-party and internally derived automation systems against specifications, and select pragmatic solutions with predictable development timelines for future efforts.
• Create design-for-automation guidelines and collaborate with engineering and operations teams on warehouse material-handling processes; define scope of work and descriptions of operation.
• Review and interpret customer project specifications and manage design budget, schedule, and scope.
• Participate in simulation and emulation as needed, and design and implement automation systems in operational environments.
• Collaborate with a Financial Analyst on cost analysis and capital expenditure requests to justify automation projects.
• Educate technology deployment and plant-floor operations members on complex automation system architecture, usability, and functionality.
• Demonstrate thorough engineering analysis and cradle-to-grave ownership, and provide expert guidance to other automation engineers.
• Lead the design and adaptation of holistic hardware solutions for ambiguous problems with changing requirements.

Benefits

• Eligible employees may receive paid time off, medical, dental, and vision coverage, and retirement savings plans.
• Eligible positions may include participation in a bonus or sales incentive plan, subject to applicable plan terms.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal