Automation Engineer

Socket.dev; Mayfield (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking a Technical Lead for Automated Inspection & Robotics to guide company-wide automation efforts. You will drive strategy, select technologies, and lead cross-functional teams across Manufacturing, Quality, IT and Engineering to deploy scalable machine-vision and robotics solutions.

The role focuses on improving product quality, manufacturing efficiency, and capacity while maintaining cost-effectiveness and reliability.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Industrial, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 5 years related manufacturing engineering experience.
• Experience with inspection automation and robotics.

Responsibilities

• Lead deployment of automated inspection, machine vision, robotics across operations to improve quality and productivity.
• Develop technical strategy, roadmaps and architecture for automation efforts.
• Lead cross-functional teams through design, validation, and deployment of automated systems.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, vendors, and solutions to select best-fit technologies.
• Establish standardized approaches for machine vision, robotics integration, data collection, and validation.
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Operations, IT to define requirements and ensure scalable, reliable automation solutions.
• Manage technical risk and ensure compliance with quality, regulatory, safety, cybersecurity, and documentation standards.
• Manage external partner relationships for technology development and deployment.
• Align NPI requirements with existing operations technologies.
• Develop performance metrics and ROI analyses to quantify benefits from automation.
• Maintain a continuous-improvement pipeline for robotics and AI in manufacturing.

Skills

Manufacturing Process Control

Cross-functional leadership

Project / Program Management

Interdepartmental collaboration

MS365 / Teams / PLM / ERP / AI tools

Written and verbal communication

Multi-tasking

Education

BS degree in Industrial, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

Inspection automation

Robotics

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Technical Lead for Automated Inspection & Robotics will provide company-wide technical leadership for the development and deployment of automated inspection, machine vision, robotics, and advanced manufacturing technologies. With Operations management, this position will assist in establishing technical strategies for automation, lead cross-functional implementation projects, evaluate and select technologies and integration partners, and ensure solutions are effectively integrated into manufacturing processes and supporting systems. The role will work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Operations, and IT to deliver scalable, reliable, and cost-effective automation solutions that improve product quality, manufacturing efficiency, capacity, and operational consistency.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the operations-wide deployment of automated inspection, machine vision, robotics, and related automation technologies to improve quality, productivity, capacity, and manufacturing consistency.


• Execute technical strategy, roadmaps and architecture for efforts associated with the development and deployment of automated inspection systems, robotics and surrounding subsystems and workflows.


• Lead cross-functional teams through the identification, design, validation, implementation, and production deployment of automated inspection and robotic systems.


• Serve as the technical subject-matter expert and primary technical lead, evaluating emerging technologies, vendors, and solutions and recommending the best-fit technologies for company applications.


• Establish standardized approaches for machine vision, robotic integration, data collection, system connectivity, programming, validation, and ongoing system support.


• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Operations, IT, and other stakeholders to define requirements and ensure automation solutions are scalable, reliable, maintainable, and aligned with business objectives.


• Manage technical risk and ensure deployed systems meet applicable quality, regulatory, safety, cybersecurity, and documentation requirements.


• Manage external partner relationships as required as part of technology development, deployment, improvement and maintenance.


• Align and communicate with Engineering and other cross-functional team members on NPI requirements to ensure compatibility with existing and planned operations technologies.


• Develop performance metrics and business cases to quantify the return on investment, quality improvements, labor savings, throughput gains, and capacity benefits achieved through automation.


• Establish and maintain a continuous-improvement pipeline for expanding the use of robotics, automated inspection, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing technologies throughout the company.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education and Experience


• BS degree in Industrial, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or related field


• Minimum 5 years related manufacturing engineering experience.

Skills and Abilities

Required

• Manufacturing Process Control Expertise (manufacturing value stream, process flow, control plan tools, etc.)


• Cross-functional leadership, Project / Program Management & Presentation skills


• Ability to work with intersecting departments (Quality Assurance, Engineering, Regulatory Affairs, Manufacturing)


• Skills in MS365, Teams, PLM Systems, ERP, AI tools, etc.


• Clear written, interpersonal and communication skills


• Ability to multi-task

Preferred

• Familiar with medical device engineering, manufacturing, supply chain and repair operations


• Experience with inspection automation and robotics