Lead Automation Engineer

The Lead Automation Engineer will work on a team to drive new product development from concept to deployment. This role will focus on conceiving, designing, developing, programming, and maintaining innovative machinery that may include robotics, mechatronics, inspection, sortation, packaging, storage, material handling or other hardware solutions.

This is an onsite role in our La Vergne TN office. We are offering relocation assistance to candidates willing to relocate.

What will be my duties and responsibilities in this job?

• Control system and/or robot programming
• Create original detailed designs of unusual and complex machinery utilizing engineering software with limited direction from leadership
• Applications development, requirements gathering, concept generation, architecture creation, and specification writing
• Support the project management team by leading design reviews, creating schedules, tracking project costs, and estimating budgets
• Provide training and guidance to lower-level engineers
• Technical writing of machinery manuals and operating procedures
• Manage bill-of-materials (BOMs), select vendors, obtain quotes, create purchase requests, and inspect received components
• Direct the construction, initialization, setup, and installation of machinery
• Lead facility/site acceptance testing (FAT/SAT)
• Lead troubleshooting of machinery in operation
• Create and maintain standards for machine design, programming, and documentation

What are the requirements needed for this position?

• 7+ years of experience in the design and implementation of automated equipment
• 10+ years PLC Programming: Expertise in writing control programs for Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) using ladder logic, structured text, function block diagrams, or other relevant IEC languages
• 10+ years Industrial Automation Protocols: Proficiency in communication protocols like EtherNet/IP, Profibus, or DeviceNet for data exchange between PLCs and other devices
• 10+ years Electrical Engineering Fundamentals: Solid understanding of electrical principles, including power distribution, motor control, and safety considerations
• 10+ years Safety: Experience with machine safety systems, ISO standards, RIA 15.06, and similar OSHA requirements
• 10+ years Troubleshooting & Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to diagnose and resolve control system issues efficiently
• 7+ years Motion Control: Understanding of servo and stepper motor principles, along with the ability to design and program motion control systems
• 7+ years Mechatronics: A combination of mechanical, electrical, and control system knowledge, allowing for a holistic understanding of the automated machinery
• 5+ years Robotics Fundamentals: Understanding of robot kinematics, dynamics, and programming for integrating robotic elements into the system
• 5+ years Machine Vision: Knowledge of machine vision systems, including camera selection, image processing, and applying them for automated inspection or object recognition
• 5+ years Project Management: Ability to manage control system …