Senior Automation Engineer

Cushman & Wakefield•Rialto, CA

About The Position

The Senior Automation Engineer manages the Automation Engineering team at a fulfillment center, coordinating maintenance of control systems, scheduling team tasks and projects, and designing more efficient operating methods. The role serves as a primary resource for facility operational efficiency and provides automation controls and technical support to maximize equipment reliability and performance. Supported equipment may include conveyors, sortation systems, scanners, cameras, print-and-apply systems, and SCADA devices and programs. The position works closely with Operations, Engineering, Safety, maintenance teams, facility leadership, vendors, parts suppliers, and central support teams. It provides first-level escalation support to Automation Engineers, including troubleshooting and repairing hardware and controls software locally or remotely, and escalating downtime issues when needed. The role also supports system performance analysis, incident reviews, process improvements, training, and capital project technology installations. Travel is up to 10%.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related field, or at least 5 years of equivalent professional or military experience.
Experience with electrical theory, robotics, controls components, and automated equipment.
Proficiency with programming software such as RSLogix5000 Studio and FT View.
Knowledge of robotics work cells and their control systems.
Experience identifying, maintaining, troubleshooting, programming, and designing HMI and control network components.
Experience identifying, maintaining, troubleshooting, and modifying motor controls, including motor starters, VFDs, DC drives, and standard electrical components.
Hands-on troubleshooting experience with industrial electrical systems, including 480V three-phase, 110 VAC, and 24VDC.
Knowledge of Warehouse Management System software concepts and messaging protocols.
Experience interpreting, modifying, and developing mechanical and electrical drawings.
Experience with SCADA systems and KPIs.
Proven technical leadership skills and ability to interact with all levels of management.
Strong reasoning, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
Experience training and developing others.
Excellent communication and customer service skills.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in systems controls design, programming, and integration.
Field service engineering experience.
Experience supporting a wide range of conveyors and sortation systems.
Proven history of remote technical phone support.
Experience with advanced automation controls systems, industrial robotics, and ASRS systems.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and mentor Automation Engineers to achieve facility operational-plan goals and objectives.
Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Safety, and other departments on material handling equipment (MHE) system optimization and project implementation.
Maintain, troubleshoot, and support material handling control systems, controllers, industrial networks, motor control systems, servo drives, frequency drives, and electrical distribution systems.
Monitor MHE metrics and partner with maintenance and operations teams to address performance issues; provide analysis across facilities.
Provide first-level escalation support to Automation Engineers during and after business hours, including local and remote troubleshooting and repair of hardware and controls software.
Escalate downtime situations to network support teams, experts, or vendors to restore equipment operation.
Facilitate failure analysis and incident reviews, and implement process improvements or retraining to prevent recurring incidents.
Apply material handling and electronic systems expertise to maximize building utilization of systems.
Analyze material handling system performance using relevant data and analytics.
Coordinate new technology installations with facility Operations leadership, vendors, and parts suppliers; serve as the technical consultant for building capital projects.
Communicate technical issues and project timelines to building leadership, operations, and maintenance teams, including explaining operational impacts.
Assist with technical-position skill assessments for site maintenance teams.
Participate in Automation Engineering conference calls and coordinate with the central team to complete required tasks.
Travel up to 10%.