Automation Engineer

Yum! Brands; Plano (TX); On-site; USD 99,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Yum! Brands in Plano, TX is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer to lead the integration, validation, and deployment of automation solutions that enhance restaurant operations.

The role bridges product development and field execution, ensuring systems are reliable, scalable, and ready for real-world implementation. This hands-on engineering position collaborates with cross-functional teams and external partners to drive initiatives from concept to rollout, with attendance at the Plano office

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Industrial Engineering, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day execution of automation development projects.
• Coordinate across internal teams and external engineering partners.
• Drive timelines, decision-making, and issue resolution to maintain project momentum.
• Ensure mechanical, controls, and software components function as an integrated system.
• Develop and execute test plans in lab and restaurant environments.
• Translate restaurant operational needs into system requirements.

Skills

Automation expertise

Robotics knowledge

Vendor management

Prototype testing

Technical documentation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Simio

Job description

Who is Yum! Brands?

Ready to make your mark at an iconic global powerhouse? Join Yum! Brands - the parent company behind KFC, Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill - be a part of our reinvention for Greater Growth.

About The Job

We are seeking a Senior Automation Engineer to lead the integration, validation, and deployment of automation solutions that enhance restaurant operations. As a Senior Automation Engineer, you will serve as the bridge between product development and field execution, ensuring systems are reliable, scalable, and ready for real-world implementation.

The Senior Automation Engineer will work closely with cross-functional teams and external partners to drive automation initiatives from concept through rollout. The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer with strong technical expertise and project leadership experience. This person will be able to drive progress, solve integration challenges, and ensure automation systems perform effectively in real-world restaurant environments.

You will be required to attend the Plano, TX office three days per week (Tuesday - Thursday).

Salary Range

$99,200 - $116,700 + bonus eligibility. This is the expected salary range for this position. Ultimately, in determining pay, we'll consider the successful candidate’s location, experience, and other job-related factors.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day execution of automation development projects
• Coordinate across internal teams and external engineering partners
• Drive timelines, decision-making, and issue resolution to maintain project momentum

System Integration

• Ensure mechanical, controls, and software components function as an integrated system
• Identify and mitigate integration risks early in the development process
• Support system architecture decisions in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders

Testing and Validation

• Develop and execute test plans in both lab and restaurant environments
• Evaluate system performance including throughput, reliability, usability, and cleanability
• Analyze test results and provide clear recommendations for improvement

Real-World Deployment Readiness

• Translate restaurant operational needs into system requirements
• Ensure solutions are viable in real-world store environments
• Support pilot deployments and iterative improvements based on field feedback

Requirements And Specifications

• Develop functional requirements and system specifications
• Align cross-functional stakeholders on performance expectations and success criteria
• Ensure external partners are building to clearly defined requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Industrial Engineering, or a related field
• 5-10 years of experience in automation, robotics, or product development
• Experience working with external vendors, suppliers, or engineering partners
• Demonstrated experience supporting systems from prototype through deployment
• Hands-on experience with prototyping, testing, and system validation
• Ability to read, interpret, and work with technical documentation
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to drive execution in a fast-paced environment
• Working knowledge of CAD and 3-D modeling tools (e.g., SolidWorks)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in foodservice, food manufacturing, or similar operational environments
• Familiarity with simulation tools (e.g., Simio)
• Working knowledge of CAD and 3-D modeling tools (e.g., SolidWorks)
• Experience with system-level troubleshooting and integration challenges

Benefits

Employees (and their eligible family members) may enroll in the following types of insurance coverage: medical, dental, vision, legal, and accidental death and dismemberment, as well as FSA/HSA (depending on enrolled medical plan). Yum! also provides short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance. Employees may enroll in our 401(k) plan. Yum! provides 4 weeks of vacation, paid sick leave, 10 paid holidays, a floating day off and 2 paid days for volunteer time each calendar year.

YUM! Brands, Inc. (including its subsidiaries Yum Restaurant Services Group, LLC ("YRSG") and Yum Connect, LLC ("Yum Digital and Technology") (collectively, "Yum") is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equity, inclusion, and belonging for all dimensions of diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other protected characteristic. Yum! is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities or special needs.

This posting will be open for a minimum of two weeks. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until a candidate is selected.