Automation Engineer (Warehouse)
Role summary
The Warehouse Automation Engineer will be responsible for the design, improvement, and execution of warehouse material flow and automation across three manufacturing plants. This role involves leading projects from concept to commissioning, focusing on enhancing safety, throughput, accuracy, and cost performance. Key responsibilities include managing multi-site projects for various material handling systems and automation technologies, developing system layouts and process flows, programming PLCs, driving continuous improvement using Lean/Six Sigma methodologies, and managing vendors, timelines, and budgets. The engineer will also coach site teams and standardize best practices.
Warehouse Automation Engineer — Multi-Plant (PA/GA)
Company:
Consumer Products Manufacturer
Locations:
Lewistown, PA
- McElhattan, PA
- Macon, GA
Travel:
Up to 50% (typically lower if PA-based; PA plants are ~1 hour apart)
Role Overview
Own the design, improvement, and execution of
warehouse material flow
and
automation
across
three plants
. You’ll lead projects from concept through commissioning, driving safety, throughput, accuracy, and cost performance.
What You’ll Do
- Lead multi-site projects for robots, material handling systems (conveyors/sorters/ASRS/AMR/AGV), and warehouse automation (WES/WCS integrations).
- Develop warehouse system layouts and process flows; model capacity, buffers, and labor/cycle times.
- Program/troubleshoot PLCs and coordinate controls integration with OEMs and site maintenance.
- Drive continuous improvement using Lean/Six Sigma; set KPIs (throughput, OEE, pick accuracy, dwell time) and deliver measurable gains.
- Manage vendors, timelines, and budgets; execute FAT/SAT, startup, and change management.
- Coach site teams; standardize best practices and preventative maintenance routines across plants.
Requirements
Must-Have Qualifications
- Strong project management and PLC experience in consumer products or high-speed manufacturing.
- Hands-on automation background with robots, material handling systems, or warehouse automation.
- Proven continuous improvement leadership; Lean/Six Sigma toolkit.
- Demonstrated experience developing warehouse layouts and material flow designs.
- Willingness to travel up to 50% to support multiple plants.
- Capital Project Engineering; budget development and cost control
- Warehouse automation: LGVs, ASRS, order picking, conveyors, sortation
- Systems Integration: WMS, WCS, YMS, ERP integration and data mapping
- Commissioning: I/O checkout, safety validation, FAT, SAT, start-up
- Leadership: cross-functional alignment, training, and ramp-to-rate readiness
Nice to Have
- Experience with WMS/WES/WCS, industrial networks, and data dashboards.
- CAD proficiency for layout/drawing updates.