Automation Process Engineer

that guide concept selection, internal development, and downstream supplier implementation.

You will use engineering judgment, mechanistic reasoning, modeling, simulation, analogy to similar systems, and targeted experimentation to mature process understanding and reduce downstream risk. A major portion of this work is performed before production equipment exists and before empirical operating data is available. By the end of process development, you will be responsible for ensuring that your assigned scope is sufficiently understood and validated, and that a clear process specification exists defining what the production system must be designed to achieve.

• ◆Develop deep technical understanding of an assigned set of critical functions within a station, process area, or related process sequence.
• ◆Define how material is transformed, positioned, presented, constrained, transferred, sequenced, measured, and verified through the automated process.
• ◆Generate and evaluate automation concepts from a process perspective and contribute to concept down-selection.
• ◆Identify the key technical unknowns that must be resolved to support concept selection and process maturity, and close those gaps through expert input, engineering analysis, modeling, simulation, comparison to similar systems, and targeted experimentation.
• ◆Define process

within assigned scope for material transformation, critical measurement, critical material handling, station-level interfaces, sequencing, timing, tolerances, operating windows, and process-related controls performance.

• ✓Define station-level

for logistical material handling — transport, presentation, transfer, timing — that broader system handling must satisfy.

• ✓Support internal development by providing clear process

and reviewing technical outputs against process success criteria.

• ✓Tune, adjust, and align prototype and development equipment as needed to mature the process — using provided controls, software settings, hand tools, and alignment fixtures.
• ✓Convert validated learning into the process

and specifications that drive production system design and supplier implementation.

• ✓Participate in review of supplier-proposed concepts and hardware selections where they affect the assigned scope.
• ✓Document assumptions, risks, requirements, and validated learning clearly enough to be used by systems engineers, discipline engineers, and integrators.
• ✓Be a model for safe work practices, ensuring a safe environment for colleagues.
• ✓Travel up to 15%, typically in concentrated periods every 1–2 years.

• ✓BS in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Materials, Industrial, or Automation Engineering, Applied Mechanics, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• ✓Relevant experience or coursework in engineering mechanics, automation, manufacturing systems, process development, equipment engineering, applied physics, or related technical work.
• ✓Demonstrated analytical problem-solving ability, including the ability to reason from first principles, analogy, engineering analysis, and limited data.
• ✓Comfortable making hands-on adjustments to prototype and development equipment — using provided controls, software interfaces, hand tools, and alignment fixtures — or willingness to develop these skills.
• ✓Strong technical curiosity and ability to learn unfamiliar processes quickly.
• ✓Strong written and verbal communication skills, including documentation, requirements, and diagrams.
• ✓Ability to work effectively in cross-functional engineering teams.
• ✓Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

• ✓Advanced degree in a relevant technical discipline.
• ✓Familiarity with material handling, station sequencing, timing analysis, or process characterization.
• ✓Understanding of tolerancing, alignment sensitivity, repeatability, and mechanical error budget concepts.
• ✓Exposure to automated manufacturing systems, pilot systems, advanced equipment development, precision automation, or high-speed automation environments.
• ✓Experience with MATLAB, Python, or similar