Automation Solutions Engineer

Ranpak Inc.; Shelton, Northern (CT, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Ranpak Inc. in Shelton, CT seeks a Senior Automation Engineer to lead complex packaging and material handling automation design. You will translate customer needs into robust architectures and guide integrations with warehouse ecosystems, AS/RS, and goods-to-person systems.

As a senior technical partner, you will support pre-sales activities, present trade-offs to stakeholders, and develop ROI-driven business cases. Travel up to 25–45% is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering.
• Extensive experience in automation, material handling, or industrial systems engineering.
• Proven experience designing and delivering complex automated systems.
• Experience with PLC/HMI controls architecture.
• Willingness to travel up to 25–45%.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design of complex automation solutions, including packaging automation, material handling interfaces, and system integrations.
• Translate customer requirements into technical architectures; guide solutions to integrate with warehouse ecosystems and goods-to-person systems.
• Consult on box design and dimensions using best practices and data-driven tools.
• Develop specifications, system descriptions, and performance assumptions.
• Evaluate feasibility, risks, and constraints for automation projects.
• Serve as a senior technical partner during pre-sales and solution definition phases.
• Support customer meetings, site visits, and technical workshops.
• Present solution concepts, trade-offs, and value propositions to technical and executive audiences.
• Use bin-packing algorithms to demonstrate performance and value.
• Build ROI/COI-driven business cases for stakeholders.
• Educate partners and coordinate technical aspects of key-account management.
• Collaborate with Project Managers and field teams to resolve technical issues.
• Ensure solutions align with Ranpak engineering standards and improve templates and methodologies.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and stay current with automation technologies and industry trends.
• Contribute feedback to product management and R&D.

Skills

Automation design

Systems engineering

Industrial automation

Controls architecture

Customer-facing

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Engineering

Tools

CAD

Job description

• Lead the design of complex automation solutions, including packaging automation, material handling interfaces, and system integrations.
• Translate customer operational requirements into technical system architectures and solution concepts. Drive and guide solutions to effectively integrate with broader warehouse ecosystems, AS/RS, robot picking and other goods-to-person systems.
• Consult on box design and dimensions based based on best practices, industry knowledge and data-driven Precube’it! (bin packing algorithm tool) consulting.
• Develop specifications, system descriptions, and performance assumptions.
• Evaluate feasibility, risks, and constraints for automation projects.
• Act as a senior technical partner during pre-sales and solution definition phases.
• Support customer meetings, site visits, and technical workshops.
• Present solution concepts, technical trade-offs, and value propositions to both technical and executive audiences.
• Utilize tools (bin-packing algorithms) to demonstrate solution performance and value.
• Present solution concepts, technical trade-offs, and value propositions to both technical and executive audiences.
• Build and present ROI/COI-driven business cases, clearly articulating financial and operational value to stakeholders.

Partner Engagement

• Educate strategic partners like consultants, integrators and 3PL on the portfolio and the added value within the overall solutions.
• Coordinate / manage the technical aspects of key-account management

Project Execution Support

• Collaborate with Project Managers and field teams to resolve technical issues.
• Ensure solutions align with Ranpak engineering standards and best practices.
• Support continuous improvement of solution templates and design methodologies.

Expertise

• Serve as a subject matter expert in automation and systems engineering.
• Stay current with automation technologies, controls, and industry trends.
• Contribute feedback to product management and R&D based on field experience.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master's degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Mechatronics, or related field).
• Extensive experience in automation, material handling, or industrial systems engineering, highly preferably in intralogistical applications
• Proven experience designing and delivering complex automated systems.
• Strong understanding of:
• Industrial automation and system integration
• Controls architecture (PLC/HMI concepts)
• Mechanical and electrical system interfaces
• Curious, pro-active, collaborative and hands-on mentality
• Experience working in a customer-facing, solutions-oriented role.
• Ability to travel up to ~25–45%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with packaging automation, warehouse automation, or intralogistics systems.
• Familiarity with high-volume distribution, manufacturing, or e-commerce environments.
• Experience supporting technical sales or capital equipment projects.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to operate comfortably in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.
• Preferably experienced in CAD design (2D or 3D)

Equal Opportunity Employer
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