Automation & Assembly Process Engineer

Freudenberg; Morganfield (KY); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Freudenberg Group in Kentucky seeks an experienced Automation Engineer to develop, validate, and optimize the integrated assembly process and automation sequence, owning gantry, robotic, PLC/HMI, servo, sensor, vision, AI-inspection, and material-handling performance from commissioning through serial production.

You will lead FAT, SAT, installation, commissioning, and Run@Rate activities, driving throughput, uptime, and cycle-time improvements, while coordinating supplier actions and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and five+ years of automation experience.
• Experience with automated automotive manufacturing or industrial systems.
• Ability to read electrical, pneumatic, mechanical, and controls documentation.

Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and optimize the integrated assembly process and automation sequence.
• Own gantry, robotic, PLC/HMI, servo, sensor, vision, AI-inspection, and material-handling performance from commissioning through serial production.
• Lead FAT, SAT, machine runoff, installation, commissioning, debug, Run@Rate, and production handover activities.
• Drive throughput, automation uptime, labor efficiency, cycle-time, MTBF, MTTR, and false-reject improvements.
• Coordinate supplier technical actions, software and mechanical changes, punch-list closure, documentation, and release evidence.
• Develop backup and contingency concepts that protect delivery when automation or an assembly module is unavailable.
• Support process simulation and the future digital-twin development approach with accurate machine logic and production data.
• Partner with Vulcanization, Maintenance, Quality, Production, IT/OT, EHS, and supplier teams to ensure stable end-to-end flow with no uncontrolled WIP.

Skills

PLCs

HMIs

Industrial robots

Servo motion

Sensors

Vision systems

Safety circuits

Industrial networks

Troubleshooting

Systems thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics, Automation, Electrical, Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Controls Engineering

Job description

Working at Freudenberg: We will wow your world! Responsibilities: Develop, validate, and optimize the integrated assembly process and automation sequence. Own gantry, robotic, PLC/HMI, servo, sensor, vision, AI-inspection, and automated material-handling performance from commissioning through serial production. Define and validate operating sequences, safety interlocks, error proofing, fault handling, manual recovery, and controlled restart modes. Lead FAT, SAT, machine runoff, installation, commissioning, debug, Run@Rate, and production handover activities. Drive throughput, automation uptime, labor efficiency, cycle-time, MTBF, MTTR, and false-reject improvements. Coordinate supplier technical actions, software and mechanical changes, punch-list closure, documentation, and release evidence. Develop backup and contingency concepts that protect delivery when automation or an assembly module is unavailable. Maintain controls standards, backup files, change logs, spare-parts requirements, and technical training materials. Support process simulation and the future digital-twin development approach with accurate machine logic and production data. Partner with Vulcanization, Maintenance, Quality, Production, IT/OT, EHS, and supplier teams to ensure stable end-to-end flow with no uncontrolled WIP.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics, Automation, Electrical, Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Controls Engineering. Five or more years of experience with automated automotive manufacturing or comparable industrial systems. Hands‑on experience with PLCs, HMIs, industrial robots, servo motion, sensors, safety circuits, industrial networks, and vision systems. Experience with equipment commissioning, supplier management, machine acceptance, and production launches. Ability to read electrical, pneumatic, mechanical, and controls documentation and lead multidisciplinary troubleshooting. Systems thinking and equipment integration. Structured troubleshooting under production pressure. Supplier and change‑control management.

The Freudenberg Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion. Employment opportunities are available to all applicants and associates without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Vibracoustic USA Inc. Welcome to Freudenberg Without Freudenberg, indoor air would not be as clean, cars would not drive and wounds would not heal as quickly. And these are just three examples from thousands of our applications. Working at Freudenberg: “We will wow your world!” This is our promise. As a global technology group, we not only make the world cleaner, healthier and more comfortable, but also offer our 51,000 employees a networked and diverse environment where everyone can thrive individually. Be surprised and experience your own wow moments.