Industrial Automation & Manufacturing Systems Senior / Principal Engineer

Collins Aerospace; Singapore; On-site; SGD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A global aerospace leader based in Singapore is seeking a Senior/Principal Engineer to drive automation and digital manufacturing initiatives. You will design and deploy robotics, integrate advanced automation systems, and lead projects that enhance production efficiency in aerospace machining. The role requires expertise in robotics, controls engineering, and extensive project management experience. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of manufacturing with cutting-edge technology in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years in robotics and automation.
• Strong experience with CNC machining processes and aerospace precision manufacturing.
• Proficiency in controls engineering and programming.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and deployment of robotics and automation systems.
• Develop PLC/PC-based control and robot programs.
• Architect scalable automation platforms for autonomous cells.

Skills

Robotics

Automation

Machine Vision

Data Engineering

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Robotics, or Computer Engineering

Tools

SQL

Python

Power BI

CNC machines

Simulation tools

Job description

Role Summary

The Senior/Principal Engineer will drive Collins Aerospace’s transition toward highly automated, autonomous, and digitally connected manufacturing across multi sites under Singapore Operations . This includes robotics, machining automation, material-handling systems, machine vision, factory systems integration, IIoT platforms, and data-driven factory intelligence. The role blends deep automation expertise, strong OT/IT integration capability, and digital manufacturing leadership to realise Collins’ Lights-Out Manufacturing and Factory of the Future aspirations.

Roles & Responsibilities

1. Automation & Robotics System Architecture

• Lead design and deployment of robotics and automation systems for CNC machining, machine tending, material handling, inspection, and finishing.

• Develop process sequences, cycle-time models, EOAT designs, and automation fixtures tailored to aerospace machining requirements.

• Integrate machine vision, sensing, and AI-assisted inspection into robotic workflows for precision manufacturing.

2. Controls, Software & Factory Systems Integration

• Develop PLC/PC-based control systems, robot programs (ABB/Fanuc/KUKA/UR), motion control logic, and HMI interfaces.

• Implement industrial communication protocols (OPC UA, MQTT, REST) to integrate automation with CNCs, sensors, MES, SCADA, IIoT platforms, and enterprise systems.

• Conduct virtual commissioning, simulation, and system validation using digital engineering tools.

3. Factory Systems Engineering & OT/IT Integration

• Lead end-to-end integration of automation with:

  • CNC machining centers

  • MES & ERP

  • SCADA & historian systems

  • Tool management & traceability systems

  • Quality and inspection databases

• Develop high-availability automation networks with strong data integrity, redundancy, and cybersecurity compliance.

• Architect scalable, modular automation platforms for autonomous cells, flexible machining systems, and Seletar Factory of the Future.

4. IIoT, Data Engineering & Factory Digitalization

• Deploy IIoT solutions for equipment connectivity, condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, and digital twins.

• Build structured data pipelines from production equipment, robots, PLCs, sensors, and historian systems for real-time and batch analytics.

• Implement dashboards, KPIs, and analytics workflows via Power BI, Tableau, Kepware, Spark, or similar platforms.

• Evaluate and apply advanced technologies such as AI-based vision, ML predictive models, reinforcement learning for robotics, and simulation-driven factory planning.

5. Project Leadership & Vendor Management

• Define SORs, specifications, layouts, acceptance test plans, budgets, and lifecycle plans for automation initiatives.

• Lead multi-site implementation with strong governance, risk management, and adherence to safety standards (ISO 10218, ISO 13849, IEC 61508).

• Evaluate commercial proposals, manage suppliers, and drive cost-effective adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies.

6. Manufacturing Excellence & Technology Benchmarking

• Analyse production bottlenecks and engineer automation solutions that improve throughput, reliability, quality, and cost competitiveness.

• Benchmark best-in-class automation and digital manufacturing across aerospace, precision engineering, and semiconductor sectors.

• Mentor engineers and build organizational capability in robotics, digital manufacturing, and systems engineering.

Qualifications & Skills

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Robotics, Computer Engineering, or related disciplines.

Technical Expertise

• 10–15 years in robotics, automation, machining automation, and factory systems integration.

• Strong experience with CNC machining processes, robotic machine tending, vision systems, and aerospace precision manufacturing.

• Proficiency in controls engineering, PLC/PC programming, robot programming (ABB/Fanuc/KUKA/UR), and OT industrial networks.

Digital & Data Skills

• Experience with MES/SCADA/IIoT platforms, OPC UA servers, MQTT, and machine connectivity frameworks.

• Proficiency in SQL, Python, and scripting for data processing, systems integration, and automated workflows.

• Experience with simulation and digital twin tools such as Siemens Process Simulate, Tecnomatix, Plant Simulation, or FlexSim.

• Knowledge of ML/AI fundamentals, predictive analytics, and digital-thread architectures is a strong advantage.

Software & Application Skills

• Skilled in automation-oriented programming languages (Python, C++, C#, Java).

• Familiarity with web frameworks and modern application development (Node.js, React/Angular, .NET).

• Experience with data analytics tools (Power BI, Tableau, snowflakes, Kepware, Spark, Hive, etc.).

Leadership & Project Skills

• 5+ years managing automation or capital projects; PMP/Prince2 certification advantageous.

• Strong competency in technology insertion, NPI automation readiness, factory redesign, and process revalidation.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management across engineering, operations, quality, and digital technology teams.

Additional Desired Skills

• Familiarity with AS9100, APQP/PPAP, and aerospace manufacturing quality systems.

• Experience with cybersecurity for OT/automation networks.

• Strong capability in structured problem solving (6σ, DMAIC, FMEA).