Lead Automation Engineer

Lead Automation Engineer

Fisher Dynamics is the automotive industry's premier supplier of safety – critical seat structures and mechanisms. Steeped in a tradition of excellence, and rooted in automotive innovation, the Fisher story is filled with automotive manufacturing milestones. We bring design, engineering, and manufacturing vehicle seating systems to a new level with innovative thinking. We're about cutting edge ideas. We have created an environment that encourages an uninterrupted flow of revolutionary concepts and unique ideas.

Fisher Dynamics is currently seeking a Lead Automation Engineer for our corporate AME team in Saint Clair Shores, MI. This position is responsible for leading the strategic vision, design, and deployment of advanced automation systems across our manufacturing facilities. This role bridges physical automation with digital engineering, leveraging cutting-edge simulation software and virtual commissioning to optimize plant throughput, minimize launch risks, and guarantee flawless execution of complex automotive assembly lines.

Candidates MUST be local to the Metro Detroit Area. Relocation is not available.

This role does not provide immigration sponsorship. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Labor Reduction Strategy: Analyze existing manual assembly, welding, material handling, and inspection processes across plants to identify automation opportunities that directly offset labor constraints and reduce operational costs.
• Hands-on Concept & Design: Lead the physical and mechanical design of custom automated work cells. Personally drive or closely direct the creation of mechanical concepts, end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), parts-feeding mechanisms, and fixture designs using 3D CAD platforms.
• Application & Deployment: Transition designs from virtual concepts to physical shop-floor realities. Oversee or directly perform prototyping, debugging, and final deployment of automated systems into active production lines.
• Technology Implementation: Architect and deploy solutions utilizing multi-axis industrial robotics, collaborative robots (cobots), high-speed vision inspection, autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs/AMRs), and advanced PLC architectures.
• Capex & ROI Responsibility: Author detailed Capital Expenditure (CapEx) proposals. Provide rigorous technical validation and ROI analysis, demonstrating clear labor-hour savings and payback timelines for every project.
• Establish the corporate roadmap for digital wins, virtual commissioning, and advanced automation simulation.
• Lead a team of automation, controls, and simulation engineers to design and validate robotic work cells, material handling systems, and assembly lines.
• Utilize discrete event and kinematic simulation tools to predict cycle times, eliminate bottlenecks, and optimize ergonomics prior to physical build.
• Oversee virtual commissioning workflows, ensuring PLC logic, HMI screens, and robot paths are fully verified in a digital environment to slash physical setup times.
• Partner with automotive OEMs and internal stakeholders to ensure all automated systems achieve compliance with IATF 16949 and rigorous customer specifications.
• Manage multi-million dollar CAPEX budgets for automation equipment, providing clear ROI justifications backed by simulation data.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or a highly relevant engineering discipline

Experience

Minimum of 10 years of progressive engineering experience in high-volume manufacturing (automotive supplier experience heavily preferred), with at least 5 years leading automation engineering teams

Skills

Advanced proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks, Catia, or Inventor) for mechanical design and mechanism simulation.

Direct experience programming or defining architectures for industrial robotics (Fanuc, Kuka, ABB, or Yaskawa) and PLCs (Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens).

Mastery of simulation platforms such as Siemens Process Simulate/Plant Simulation, Dassault Systèmes DELMIA, Visual Components, or Arena.

Deep technical understanding of PLC/HMI architectures (Rockwell, Siemens), robotic programming (FANUC, KUKA, ABB), and industrial networks.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Work Environment

Working environment and physical requirements of this position are those typical of an office setting and manufacturing environment.

Physical Demands

Ability to lift 40lbs