Senior Automation Engineer

Job Title: Senior Automation Engineer

Job Description

This Senior Automation Engineer role focuses on maximizing equipment reliability and operational performance within highly automated fulfillment centers. You will provide proactive controls automation and technical support, troubleshoot complex control systems, and drive continuous improvement initiatives across material handling equipment. By leading cross-functional efforts and mentoring junior engineers, you will optimize system design, enhance throughput, and ensure consistent, high-quality delivery performance using state-of-the-art automation technologies.

Responsibilities

• Provide proactive controls automation and technical support to ensure high reliability and performance of material handling equipment in fulfillment centers.

• Troubleshoot complex control systems, including PLC controllers, industrial networks, and SCADA devices and programs, to quickly resolve equipment and system issues.

• Analyze performance metrics to identify trends, root causes, and opportunities for improving system reliability, throughput, and overall operational efficiency.

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on optimizing conveyors, sortation systems, scanners, cameras, print-and-apply systems, and other automated equipment.

• Develop and implement preventative maintenance plans and maintenance management strategies to reduce downtime and extend equipment life.

• Oversee and optimize the use of CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems) to schedule, track, and improve maintenance activities.

• Mentor and support junior engineers and maintenance technicians, providing technical guidance, training, and coaching to build team capabilities.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including operations, maintenance, and engineering, to design and implement innovative automation projects.

• Contribute to system design improvements that enhance site throughput, reliability, and safety for material handling equipment and robotics.

• Apply data analysis and Six Sigma methodologies to assess system performance, drive process improvements, and reduce variability and risk.

• Support electrical and mechanical troubleshooting for automated systems, ensuring timely resolution of issues in a 24/7 operational environment.

• Participate in risk management activities by identifying potential failure modes, implementing mitigation measures, and supporting safe system operation.

• Provide technical leadership within a large technician organization, helping coordinate daily support for complex automated distribution operations.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience troubleshooting complex control systems, including material handling equipment (MHE), PLC controllers, and industrial networks.

• Strong knowledge and hands-on experience with PLC and SCADA systems, sufficient to pass a technical criteria assessment.

• Demonstrated ability to analyze performance metrics and use data to drive improvements in equipment reliability and operational performance.

• Experience in maintenance management and preventative maintenance planning for automated or industrial equipment.

• Proficiency in electrical troubleshooting with extensive electrical knowledge in an industrial or automation environment.

• Experience with mechanical troubleshooting of conveyors, sortation systems, and related material handling equipment.

• Background in automation, control systems, and material handling systems such as conveyors, sorters, robotics, and associated technologies.

• Familiarity with CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems) for planning and tracking maintenance activities.

• Experience mentoring junior engineers or providing training, management, or mentorship to technical teams.

• Ability to apply data analysis and Six Sigma or similar continuous improvement methodologies.

• Strong project management skills to lead and implement automation and system optimization projects.

• Solid understanding of risk management principles in automated or industrial environments.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in industrial automation, electrical, bottling, conveyor, production, packing, or avionics environments.

• Background working with highly automated distribution or production facilities.

• Experience supervising or supporting large technician teams in a fast-paced operational setting.

• Exposure to robotics, scanners, cameras, and print-and-apply systems within automated material handling operations.

• Experience supporting 24/7 operations and coordinating maintenance and engineering activities across shifts.

• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Demonstrated interest in continuous learning and staying current with advances in automation and control technologies.

Why Work Here?

You will join a culture that emphasizes ownership, long-term thinking, and continuous improvement, with a strong focus on total compensation and long-term value creation. In addition to competitive pay, you benefit from a sign-on bonus distributed over the first two years and a Restricted Stock Unit (RSU) grant that vests over four years on a backloaded schedule, aligning your success with the organization’s growth. RSUs are granted in shares, with the potential for appreciation over time, and refresher grants typically begin vesting after year two, complemented by performance-based stock awards. You also receive annual compensation reviews with opportunities for adjustments, helping maintain a competitive overall package. Comprehensive benefits include 401(k) matching, robust health coverage, employee discounts, and potential relocation support, all designed to support your financial security, well-being, and career longevity.

Work Environment

You will work in a highly complex, automated distribution center that operates 24/7 and relies on advanced material handling equipment and control systems. The environment includes large-scale conveyors, sortation systems, robotics, scanners, cameras, print-and-apply systems, and SCADA devices and programs, all integrated to support high-throughput fulfillment operations. You will collaborate with and provide technical leadership to a team of more than 80 technicians, delivering daily support to keep operations running smoothly around the clock. The setting is dynamic, fast-paced, and technology-driven, requiring a strong focus on safety, reliability, and coordination across shifts in a modern industrial facility.

Interested? Questions? Book time with Recruiter Sophia Fontana using this link:

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Rockville, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $102600.00 - $132800.00/yr.

Base salary o Sign-on bonus split over first two years (split evenly in their paychecks)

• RSU (Restricted Stock Units) grant over 4 years with a backloaded vesting schedule o RSU Vesting Schedule:  Year 1: 5% (split between 6 and 12 months)  Year 2: 15%  Year 3: 40%  Year 4: 40%

• Key Points to Emphasize: o Total Compensation (TC) is the focus, not just base salary o Stock has historically appreciated significantly (though past performance doesn't guarantee future results) o RSUs are denominated in shares, not dollars, at time of grant o Refresher grants typically start vesting after year 2 o Performance-based compensation through additional stock awards o Annual compensation reviews with opportunity for adjustments

• Important Context: o Amazon's compensation philosophy focuses on ownership mentality o Long-term value creation through stock appreciation

• Market adjustments and regular refreshers help maintain competitive TC

• Benefits to Mention: o 401(k) matching o Comprehensive health benefits o Employee discount o Relocation package if applicable

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Rockville,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 29, 2026.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.