Automation Engineering Leader

Description:
Automation Engineering Leader
Company: Saelens LLC
Department: Engineering
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Position: Full-time, salaried
Salary: Competitive base salary with a performance-based bonus opportunity
The Opportunity
Saelens is a growing manufacturing company investing in advanced automation and autonomous manufacturing cells. We are seeking a hands-on Automation Engineering Leader to help develop and implement the systems that will support our continued growth.
The successful candidate will lead automation projects, influence technical decisions, and work closely with engineering and operations from initial concept through successful production.
Growth Opportunity
As a smaller, growing company, Saelens provides employees with visibility, access to leadership, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. This position offers room to expand its influence and responsibilities as our company and automation capabilities continue to grow.
Key Responsibilities
· Develop and execute the automation and controls roadmap for autonomous manufacturing cells.
· Lead automation projects from concept and equipment selection through integration, commissioning, and production handoff.
· Design and integrate robotics, PLC and HMI controls, machine vision, sensors, motion systems, and machine-safety systems.
· Partner with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, IT, and outside integrators.
· Create consistent automation standards, equipment specifications, documentation, and change-control practices.
· Use throughput, cycle time, scrap, downtime, labor efficiency, and return on investment to prioritize projects and measure results.
· Troubleshoot complex automation issues and ensure systems are reliable, maintainable, and scalable.
· Share technical knowledge and help build automation capabilities across the organization. Requirements:
Qualifications
· Bachelor's degree in electrical, controls, mechanical, mechatronics, robotics, or manufacturing engineering; equivalent experience will be considered.
· Seven or more years of industrial automation experience, including responsibility for manufacturing-cell projects.
· Strong knowledge of PLC and HMI platforms, industrial robotics, machine vision, motion control, industrial networks, and machine safety.
· Experience working with automation integrators, equipment manufacturers, and technical vendors.
· Ability to balance technical requirements, operational needs, project schedules, cost, and risk.
· Strong communication, project leadership, and hands-on problem-solving skills.
How Success Will Be Measured
· A clear and practical automation roadmap is established.
· Priority autonomous-cell projects launch safely and meet performance expectations.
· Automation standards are consistently applied across projects.
· Equipment reliability, throughput, quality, and labor efficiency improve.
· Internal teams develop the skills needed to support and improve automated systems.
Benefits: We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes insurance coverage, paid time off, paid holidays, a 401(k) with employer match, tuition reimbursement, and additional voluntary benefits.
Equal Opportunity Employer