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Job description
Director of Automation Engineering – Advanced Manufacturing
Position Overview
We are seeking an accomplished Director of Automation Engineering to lead the development and implementation of advanced automation strategies across a multi-site manufacturing organization.
This position will play a major role in transforming labor-intensive manufacturing processes through robotics, custom automation, digital simulation, virtual commissioning, and advanced controls technologies.
The successful candidate will bring a unique combination of technical depth, hands-on engineering capability, and leadership experience . This is not a position focused solely on managing outside integrators. We are looking for someone who understands how automated manufacturing systems are actually conceived, designed, built, debugged, and successfully launched into production.
A major focus of the role will be identifying manufacturing processes where automation can improve productivity, reduce reliance on manual labor, improve ergonomics, increase throughput, and generate measurable operational savings.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and execute an enterprise-wide automation strategy supporting manufacturing productivity, labor optimization, quality, safety, and operational efficiency.
Evaluate manual manufacturing processes including assembly, welding, inspection, material handling, packaging, and related operations to identify high-value automation opportunities.
Lead the concept development and mechanical design of custom automation equipment, robotic cells, fixtures, tooling, end-of-arm tooling, parts-feeding systems, and other production equipment.
Provide technical leadership throughout the entire automation lifecycle, including concept development, design reviews, prototyping, equipment build, programming, debugging, installation, launch, and production validation.
Introduce and expand the use of industrial robotics, collaborative robots, automated inspection systems, machine vision, AGVs/AMRs, advanced PLC controls, and other emerging manufacturing technologies.
Establish internal engineering capabilities that allow high-ROI automation projects to be developed and deployed rapidly.
Build, develop, and lead a high-performing team of automation, controls, mechanical, robotics, and simulation engineers.
Create automation standards, engineering methodologies, and best practices that can be replicated across multiple manufacturing locations.
Develop detailed capital requests and business cases for automation projects, including equipment costs, labor savings, productivity improvements, payback periods, and overall return on investment.
Partner closely with operations, manufacturing engineering, quality, maintenance, IT, and plant leadership to ensure automation projects support broader business objectives.
Simulation & Digital Manufacturing
Develop the organization's strategy for digital manufacturing, virtual commissioning, digital twins, and advanced simulation .
Utilize discrete-event, robotic, and kinematic simulation technologies to validate manufacturing concepts before equipment is physically built.
Analyze cycle times, equipment utilization, operator interaction, material flow, bottlenecks, and production capacity through simulation.
Lead virtual commissioning activities to validate PLC logic, robotic motion, HMI functionality, and system interaction prior to installation.
Use simulation and digital validation to reduce equipment launch risk, shorten installation timelines, and improve production readiness.
Support the design and optimization of complex automated assembly systems, robotic work cells, and material-handling systems.
Technology & Engineering Expertise
The successful candidate should have extensive experience with several of the following technologies:
Industrial robotics including FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Yaskawa , or similar platforms
PLC and controls systems including Rockwell / Allen-Bradley and Siemens
Machine vision and automated inspection technologies
Automated material handling systems including AGVs and AMRs
Mechanical automation design and custom machine development
End-of-arm tooling, fixturing, parts feeding, and robotic applications
Industrial networks and integrated controls architectures
3D CAD platforms such as SolidWorks, CATIA, Inventor , or comparable systems
Manufacturing simulation platforms such as Siemens Process Simulate, Siemens Plant Simulation, DELMIA, Visual Components, Arena , or similar technologies
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering , or a related technical discipline.
Minimum of approximately 10 years of progressive engineering experience within complex or high-volume manufacturing environments.
At least 5 years of experience leading automation, controls, robotics, manufacturing engineering, or related technical teams .
Automotive, Tier 1 automotive supplier, or similarly demanding high-volume manufacturing experience is strongly preferred.
Demonstrated experience designing, developing, and implementing automation systems that successfully replaced or significantly reduced manual manufacturing processes.
Strong mechanical design knowledge with the ability to understand and evaluate machine concepts, tooling, fixtures, mechanisms, robotics, and automation equipment.
Working knowledge of robotics, PLC controls, automation architecture, industrial networking, and manufacturing systems integration.
Experience developing and managing significant automation-related capital expenditures and equipment budgets .
Strong understanding of automation project economics, including labor savings, productivity improvements, equipment utilization, ROI, and payback analysis.
Ability to successfully lead projects from early concept through equipment installation, commissioning, and sustained production.
Manufacturing & Automotive Requirements
Experience operating within highly structured manufacturing environments is important for this position. Automotive manufacturing experience is strongly preferred, including familiarity with:
IATF 16949 requirements
OEM and Tier 1 customer expectations
High-volume manufacturing environments
Launch and production-readiness processes
Continuous improvement and operational excellence methodologies
Equipment validation and manufacturing quality systems
Ideal Candidate Profile
The strongest candidate will have progressed through their career as a true automation engineer and technical problem solver before moving into leadership.
We are particularly interested in candidates who can point to specific manufacturing automation projects they personally helped conceptualize, engineer, and implement.
Candidates should be prepared to discuss examples of projects involving:
Automation of previously manual manufacturing processes
Robotic work-cell development
Custom machine or mechanism design
Controls and robotics integration
Simulation or virtual commissioning
Cycle-time improvements
Labor reduction or redeployment
Throughput improvements
Capital investment and ROI
The ability to clearly explain the technical challenge, engineered solution, implementation process, and measurable business impact of previous automation projects will be an important part of the evaluation process.
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Worksite address
detroit, MI, 48228, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.