Automation & Engineering Lead

TFT Global (USA) Inc.; Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health

Dental

Vision

Disability

Life Insurance

AD&D

Accident

Hospital Indemnity

EAP

Mileage Reimbursement

Vacation Days

10 Paid Holidays

Job summary

TFT Global (USA) Inc. in Lafayette, Indiana, is seeking an experienced automation project leader to design and implement warehouse automation solutions for automotive parts environments.

This role drives end-to-end projects including conveyors, AS/RS, robots, AMRs/AGVs, and system integrations, focusing on ROI and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience transforming manual warehouses, strong ROI modeling skills, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams across

Qualifications

• Must have engineering degree and Grade 12 education.
• Experience transforming manual warehouse/logistics ops through automation.
• Hands-on automation project delivery in warehouse/distribution environments.
• Experience with conveyors, sortation, AS/RS, shuttle systems.
• Experience with robotics: palletizing/depalletizing, AMRs/AGVs.
• Knowledge of PLCs, WCS, WMS integration.
• Experience in automotive OEM/Tier-1/3PL environments.
• Proven ROI modeling and business-case development.
• Willingness to travel to sites.
• Valid driver’s license and pre-employment checks.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end automation projects from concept to handover.
• Evaluate proposals, layouts, simulations, and designs.
• Implement automation solutions including conveyors, AS/RS, AMRs/AGVs.
• Collaborate with operations, IT/OT, quality, and maintenance.
• Develop SOPs and maintenance documentation.
• Drive safety and compliance in automotive contexts.
• Optimize throughput and dock-to-stock performance.
• Lead vendor and system integrator engagements.
• Travel to customer sites as required.

Skills

Automation project leadership

ROI modeling

Cross-functional collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

Engineering degree (Mechanical/Electrical/Mechatronics/Industrial)

Grade 12

Tools

PLCs

WCS/WMS integration

Conveyors & sortation

AS/RS

AMRs/AGVs

Job description

About Us:

Since 1989 we have partnered with manufacturers as a seamless extension of their operation. This has allowed our clients to grow with minimal risk while maintaining the highest of standards.

Ask our customers what they like about us and chances are they will talk about our commitment to our core values of reputation, people, and growth.

We are strategically located across North America, aligned with flexible resources, and equipped with innovative technology to bring you the ultimate in supply-chain efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Continuously evaluate new and emerging warehouse automation technologies and determine practical applications for manual operations
• Stay current on trends in robotics, AI-based picking, vision systems, warehouse control systems, and IIoT
• Challenge “the way it’s always been done” by introducing scalable, proven automation concepts
• Design automation solutions suitable for automotive parts environments, including mixed SKUs, irregular packaging, sequence-sensitive material flows, and high inventory accuracy requirements
• Support just-in-time (JIT) and just-in-sequence (JIS) logistics models
• Improve dock-to-stock time, pick accuracy, order cycle time, and line-side delivery performance
• Work closely with warehouse operations, IT/OT, quality, and maintenance teams to ensure automation solutions are adopted and sustained
• Support integration between automation systems and WMS/WCS/ERP platforms
• Develop SOPs, training materials, and maintenance documentation for newly automated systems
• Train and support operators and maintenance teams during transition from manual to automated processes
• Lead engagement with automation vendors, OEMs, and system integrators
• Evaluate proposals, layouts, simulations, and technical designs
• Ensure solutions meet operational, safety, and automotive customer compliance requirements
• Assess existing manual warehouse operations, workflows, and material flows to identify automation opportunities
• Analyze labor-intensive, repetitive, and high-risk tasks and develop automation roadmaps
• Partner with operations leadership to prioritize automation initiatives based on ROI, safety, and throughput impact
• Lead end-to-end automation projects, from concept and business case development through design, installation, commissioning, and handover
• Implement automation solutions including conveyors, sortation, AS/RS, robotic palletizing/depalletizing, piece-picking systems, AMRs/AGVs, and automated scanning and inspection
• Support startup, debugging, throughput validation, and stabilization of newly automated processes
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and within approved capital budgets
• All other duties as assigned

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

• Grade 12 education, along with Engineering degree (Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related)
• Demonstrated experience transforming manual warehouse or logistics operations through automation
• Hands-on experience executing automation projects in warehouse or distribution environments
• Warehouse automation: conveyors, sortation, AS/RS, shuttle systems
• Robotics: palletizing, depalletizing, piece-picking, AMRs/AGVs
• Controls and systems: PLCs, WCS, WMS integration
• Automotive OEM, Tier-1, or 3PL logistics environments
• Business case development and ROI modeling for automation investments
• Strong understanding of warehouse workflows, material handling, and automotive logistics requirements
• Proven ability to lead projects and influence cross-functional teams
• Comfortable working in hands-on, evolving warehouse environments
• Willingness to travel to warehouse and customer sites
• Strong execution mindset with a bias toward modernization and continuous improvement
• Valid driver’s licence
• Criminal background check, Drug Screen, and Post Offer Pre-employment physical

• Health
• Dental
• Vision
• Short-term/Long-term Disability
• Life Insurance
• AD&D
• Accident
• Hospital Indemnity
• EAP
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Vacation Days
• 10 Paid Holidays