Automation Engineer Lead

Job Description

Job Description

Automation Engineer Lead

Position Summary

The Automation Engineer Lead will oversee the installation, integration, commissioning, and long-term reliability of new industrial automation equipment within a high-volume automotive manufacturing plant. This role will coordinate engineering teams, contractors, maintenance personnel, equipment suppliers, and production stakeholders to ensure automation systems are installed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with project specifications.

The ideal candidate will bring strong experience in automation engineering , equipment installation , maintenance reliability , controls systems , and manufacturing operations . This position requires hands-on technical leadership, project coordination, troubleshooting expertise, and the ability to drive equipment performance from installation through production launch.

Responsibilities

• Lead the installation and integration of new automation equipment , production machinery, and supporting control systems.
• Manage installation activities from equipment delivery through mechanical completion, electrical checkout, commissioning, and production handoff.
• Coordinate contractors, OEMs, system integrators, skilled trades, maintenance teams, engineering groups, and production personnel.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, installation plans, equipment readiness checklists, and commissioning documentation.
• Verify that all equipment installations comply with engineering drawings, plant standards, safety requirements, and applicable electrical and mechanical codes.
• Lead PLC , HMI , robotics, sensor, actuator, motor control, and industrial network troubleshooting during installation and startup.
• Support equipment debug, controls validation, cycle-time optimization, and production launch activities.
• Identify installation risks, equipment deficiencies, reliability concerns, and schedule delays, and implement corrective actions.
• Drive preventive maintenance , predictive maintenance , and equipment reliability strategies for newly installed automation systems.
• Review machine designs, controls architecture, spare-parts requirements, maintenance access, and serviceability before final acceptance.
• Establish maintenance documentation, troubleshooting procedures, spare-parts lists, and training materials.
• Lead root-cause investigations involving equipment failures, recurring downtime, controls faults, and process interruptions.
• Apply root cause analysis , failure mode analysis , and continuous improvement methods to increase equipment uptime.
• Monitor equipment performance using downtime data, maintenance records, fault histories, and reliability metrics.
• Ensure compliance with lockout/tagout , machine guarding, electrical safety, and plant environmental, health, and safety requirements.
• Provide technical direction, coaching, and mentorship to automation engineers, controls technicians, and maintenance personnel.
• Communicate project status, risks, installation progress, and technical issues to plant leadership and project stakeholders.
• Support equipment acceptance testing, including FAT , SAT , run-at-rate testing, and final production approval.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering , Automation Engineering , Controls Engineering , Mechatronics , or a related technical field.
• Significant experience supporting automation, controls, or maintenance engineering in an automotive or high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading new equipment installation, commissioning, startup, or production launch projects.
• Strong knowledge of PLC programming , industrial control systems, HMIs, VFDs, servo systems, sensors, safety circuits, and motor controls.
• Experience with industrial robotics, automated material handling, machine vision, conveyors, or assembly automation.
• Working knowledge of industrial networks , including Ethernet/IP, DeviceNet, ControlNet, Profinet, or similar communication platforms.
• Experience coordinating OEMs, contractors, system integrators, maintenance teams, and skilled trades.
• Strong background in maintenance reliability , equipment uptime improvement, and downtime reduction.
• Experience with preventive maintenance programs, spare-parts planning, equipment documentation, and maintenance handoff.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, control panel layouts, network diagrams, and equipment specifications.
• Knowledge of machine safety standards, electrical codes, risk assessments, and lockout/tagout procedures.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, project management, and technical leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple installation priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours during equipment installation, commissioning, shutdowns, and production launch activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs , Rockwell Automation platforms, Siemens controls, or equivalent industrial control systems.
• Experience with robotic systems such as FANUC, ABB, KUKA, or Yaskawa.
• Familiarity with CMMS , maintenance planning, reliability engineering, and asset-management systems.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing , Six Sigma , TPM, OEE, or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Project leadership experience involving capital equipment installation in an automotive assembly, body, paint, stamping, machining, or powertrain environment.
• Professional certification in project management, reliability, electrical safety, or industrial automation.

Key Performance Expectations

• Deliver automation equipment installations safely and on schedule.
• Achieve successful equipment commissioning and production handoff.
• Reduce startup-related downtime and recurring automation faults.
• Improve equipment reliability, maintainability, and overall uptime.
• Ensure complete technical documentation, spare-parts readiness, and maintenance training before final project closure.

Automation Engineer Lead , industrial automation equipment , automation engineering , equipment installation , maintenance reliability , controls systems , manufacturing operations , PLC , HMI , preventive maintenance , predictive maintenance , root cause analysis , failure mode analysis , lockout/tagout , FAT , SAT , Electrical Engineering , Automation Engineering , Controls Engineering , Mechatronics , PLC programming , industrial networks , Allen-Bradley PLCs , CMMS , Lean Manufacturing , Six Sigma

Hiring Transparency & AI Disclosure Statement
In compliance with applicable Canadian employment regulations, we confirm that this job posting represents a current, active vacancy within our organization.
We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess, rank, or make hiring decisions. All applications are reviewed and evaluated by human recruiters and hiring managers.
If our hiring practices change in the future to include AI-assisted tools, appropriate disclosure will be provided in accordance with applicable laws.

Company Description

Hiring Transparency & AI Disclosure Statement\r\nIn compliance with applicable Canadian employment regulations, we confirm that this job posting represents a current, active vacancy within our organization.\r\nWe do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess, rank, or make hiring decisions. All applications are reviewed and evaluated by human recruiters and hiring managers.\r\nIf our hiring practices change in the future to include AI-assisted tools, appropriate disclosure will be provided in accordance with applicable laws.