Automation Lead

rb; East Rutherford (NJ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Educational assistance

Parental leave

Health & Wellness Center

Pension plan and 401(k) match

Subsidized public transportation

Job summary

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York is seeking an Automation Lead to oversee the day-to-day operations of Material Handling Equipment and Automated Guided Vehicle systems at its East Rutherford, NJ site (potential move to Warren). This role leads a team of automation technicians and drives uptime and safety.

You will collaborate with Engineering, Operations, and IT to implement upgrades, maintain SOPs and KPIs, and ensure compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Natural leader who communicates clearly and supports team development.
• Experience in day-to-day operations management, scheduling, coaching, and process execution.
• Background in mechanical, electrical, automation engineering.
• Hands-on experience with automation systems and industrial equipment maintenance.
• Knowledge of AGVs, robotics, PLCs, sensors, and material handling technologies.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Availability for on-call support and rotating shifts.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of MHE and AGV systems; troubleshoot to minimize downtime.
• Coach automation technicians; manage shift coverage for reliability.
• Serve as technical escalation point for complex automation issues.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, and IT to implement upgrades and patches.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, maintenance schedules, incident response plans, and performance reporting.
• Monitor KPIs and analyze trends for continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with safety and regulatory requirements; support business continuity.

Skills

Leadership

Ops management

Automation engineering

Industrial maintenance

AGVs & robotics

PLCs & sensors

Independent work

On-call/shift

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Company Federal Reserve Bank of New York

Working at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York positions you at the center of the financial world with a unique perspective on national and international markets and economies. You will work in an environment with a diverse group of experienced professionals to foster and support the safety, soundness, and vitality of our economic and financial systems.

What we do:

The Automation Lead role is critical to maintaining system uptime, supporting continuous improvement, and partnering with cross-functional teams to enhance automation capabilities, ensure safety compliance, and drive operational excellence.

The Cash & Custody Function engages in critical operations on behalf of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the Federal Reserve System including the distribution of U.S. Dollar Currency to the Second District, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands & international customers, as well as Gold Safekeeping Operations.

Your Role as Automation Lead:

• Lead day-to-day operations of Material Handling Equipment (MHE) and Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) systems, proactively troubleshooting issues and guiding the team through fast, effective resolutions to minimize downtime.
• Serve as the go-to leader for a team of automation technicians-providing hands-on coaching, guiding skill development, and coordinating shift coverage to ensure consistent, reliable performance.
• Act as the technical escalation point for complex automation issues, driving timely resolution.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, and IT teams to implement system upgrades, software patches, and automation improvements.
• Develop and maintain documentation for Standard Operating Procedures, maintenance schedules, incident response plans, and system performance reporting.
• Monitor system KPIs and analyze performance trends to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols and regulatory requirements for both equipment and personnel.
• Support business continuity and contingency planning for automated systems.

What we are looking for :

• A natural leader who communicates clearly, exercises sound judgment and is genuinely invested in the team's success and development.
• Proven ability to manage day-to-day operations, including scheduling, prioritization, coaching, and process execution.
• Background in mechanical, electrical, automation engineering, or a related technical field.
• Hands-on experience with automation systems and industrial equipment maintenance.
• Working knowledge of AGVs, robotics, PLCs, sensors, and other material handling technologies.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision to manage projects and processes.
• Availability for on-call support, shift flexibility, or rotating schedules as needed.

* This role is based out of East Rutherford, NJ. Potentially moving to Warren, NJ.

Salary Range: $120,000 -150,000 / year

We believe in transparency at the NY Fed. This salary range reflects a variety of skills and experiences candidates may bring to the job. We pay individuals along this range based on their unique backgrounds. Whether you're stretching into the job or are a more seasoned candidate, we aim to pay competitively for your contributions .

How We'll Support You:

• Learning & Growing: Educational assistance, career development tools, and stretch opportunities
• Supporting Your Family: Parental leave, adoption assistance, back-up dependent and elder care, college planning resources, and more
• Managing Your Health: Comprehensive insurance plans, leave policies, onsite Health & Wellness Center, and onsite Fitness Center
• Optimizing Your Finances: Pension plan, 401(k) with generous match, financial planning resources, and subsidized public transportation program

Our Culture is deeply grounded in our Touchstone Behaviors – By working with us, you'll have the opportunity to develop and demonstrate your ability to Communicate Authentically, Collaborate Inclusively, Drive Progress, Develop Others, and Take Ownership. These competencies shape our culture here at the Bank. They also provide a shared language for how we work together and achieve success and set clear expectations for leading with impact at every stage of your career. Learn more.

Application Deadline: October 7, 2026

The New York Fed expects its employees to perform their duties with honesty, integrity, and impartiality, and without improper preferential treatment of any person. Learn more about $our$?

We value accessibility for all candidates and are happy to provide an accommodation or assistance. Please email us at [e-mail] and we'll be glad