Automation Engineer

Pacific International Executive Search; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Pacific International Executive Search has exclusive involvement in a major automation and transformation program. We seek an Automated Engineer to lead cross-functional teams across multiple capital projects, driving advanced manufacturing with robotics, vision systems, and automated handling.

The role combines strategic planning with hands-on engineering leadership, traveling up to 50% to sites globally. The ideal candidate will have 15+ years in automation for discrete and web-handling

Qualifications

• 15+ years in discrete/web-handling manufacturing focused on automated equipment
• 10+ years leading multiple concurrent capital projects with accountability for scope, schedule, and budget
• 10+ years of web-handling vision system programming environments including ISRA Vision and Dr. Schenk
• 10+ years of SolidWorks CAD/CAE including Product Data Management (PDM)
• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering with machine vision and automated inspection coursework
• Willingness to travel up to 50% of time

Responsibilities

• Serve as program lead for large-scale, multi-site automation initiatives with cross-functional teams, budgets and schedules
• Lead the program management of multiple concurrent capital projects, managing scope, schedule, and resources
• Provide expertise in mechanical layout and equipment design for sites
• Collaborate with site stakeholders to deploy automated solutions with minimal disruption
• Set and own equipment standards from a global engineering perspective
• Support technology roadmap and capital project reviews (SOW, Design Reviews, Construction, Commissioning)
• Collaborate with external suppliers to design, fabricate, and qualify equipment
• Provide expertise in electrical design and network architecture
• Advise on automated process equipment including robotics, barcoding, and inspection systems
• Mentor and develop engineers in the global automation community

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Mechanical design

Machine vision

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Tools

ISRA Vision

Dr. Schenk

SolidWorks CAD/CAE

PDM

Job description

Pacific International Executive Search has been exclusively retained by a leading advanced manufacturing organization undergoing a significant automation and operational transformation.

As part of this evolution, the company is seeking a Automated Engineer to play a critical role in advancing manufacturing capabilities across a portfolio of strategic capital projects. This individual will help drive the development and deployment of next-generation automation solutions, supporting the transition from highly manual operations to more integrated, efficient, and scalable manufacturing environments.

The successful candidate will bring a proven track record of leading complex automation initiatives, developing automated process equipment, and managing capital projects from concept through commissioning. Combining strategic thinking with hands‑on technical expertise, this individual will partner with cross‑functional stakeholders to implement innovative solutions involving robotics, machine vision, automated material handling, and advanced manufacturing technologies. This is a unique opportunity to play a central role in a high‑profile transformation effort, helping shape the future of automation within a growing global organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the program lead for large-scale, multi-site automation initiatives, managing cross-functional teams, budgets, schedules, and risk from concept through commissioning.
• Lead the program management of multiple concurrent capital projects as a senior program leader, with accountability for scope, schedule, budget, and resource allocation across the portfolio.
• Provide expertise in mechanical layout and equipment design to support projects at the sites.
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders at the site to understand the challenges they face and provide an automated solution. The solution must be engineered in a way that has minimal impact on the area's ability to produce, and is minimally invasive to our external customer change protocol
• Set and own equipment standards from a global engineering perspective and drive deployment of the technology throughout the organization.
• Provide technical expertise to support the business level technology roadmap
• Provide technical expertise to support capital projects including Statements of Work (SOW), Design Reviews, Construction, Acceptance Tests, Commissioning, and Safety Reviews
• Ability to collaborate with external suppliers to design, fabricate, and qualify equipment.
• Strong knowledge of electrical design and network architecture.
• Provide expertise in automated process equipment including robotics, barcoding, and inspection systems (vision and scanning).
• Provide technical expertise for Management of Change, including technical reviewer of site MOC processes.
• Mentor and develop engineers across the global automation community, providing technical guidance, coaching, and career development as a senior technical leader.

Qualifications:

• 15+ years of experience in a discrete and web-handling manufacturing environment focused on the design and maintenance of automated equipment.
• 10+ years of program management experience leading multiple concurrent capital projects, with demonstrated accountability for scope, schedule, budget, and resource management.
• 10+ years of experience with web-handling vision system programming environments including ISRA Vision and Dr. Schenk.
• 10+ years of experience with SolidWorks CAD/CAE including Product Data Management (PDM)
• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering with coursework concentration involving machine vision and automated inspection.
• Able to travel to manufacturing sites (average 50% of time)
• Experience with Machine Risk Assessments and Performance Level (PL) calculations using SISTEMA
• Experience with mechanical and/or electrical fabrication technology
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work in a challenging, diverse team environment in a respectful manner.
• Demonstrated senior-level influential leadership with a proven track record of leading, mentoring, and developing engineering teams

About Pacific:

Pacific International, a globally recognized retained executive search firm, is dedicated to empowering Fortune 500, FTSE 100, and high‑growth enterprises in building exceptional C-suite, senior‑level, and strategic leadership teams. Our adaptability, agility, and forward‑thinking ethos distinguish us as a Trusted Partner in the ever‑evolving business landscape.

Diversity Statement:

At Pacific International, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of who we are and what we do. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and we proudly champion diversity on behalf of our clients in every Executive Search mandate we undertake. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. In pursuit of these objectives, we actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities.

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