Building Automation Systems Engineer - Auburn Hills, MI

CBRE Group, Inc.; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

CBRE Group, Inc. is seeking a Systems Engineering Analyst to act as the technical liaison between CBRE's automation maintenance team and client operations.

You will analyze and optimize automated material handling systems, including ASRS crane racking, AMRs, and Cognex vision systems to drive reliability and throughput. You will work with technicians and client stakeholders to translate data into actionable improvements, monitor uptime, and refine maintenance programs in a manufacturing

Qualifications

• Technical degree or equivalent in Mechatronics, Industrial Technology, Automation, Robotics, Mechanical, Electrical, or related field.
• Experience with automated material handling systems (ASRS, AMRs/AGVs, autonomous vehicles) and vision/scan systems.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret performance data and identify improvement opportunities.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts to maintenance and client teams.
• Familiarity with preventive/predictive maintenance and CMMS is a plus.
• Experience in manufacturing, distribution, or industrial automation environments.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary liaison between CBRE's automation technicians and the client team, facilitating clear communication on system performance, issues, and improvement opportunities.
• Analyze performance data for ASRS crane systems, self-guided vehicles, and Cognex vision/scan systems to identify trends, bottlenecks, and opportunities for optimization.
• Support and refine service and reliability programs for self-guided vehicles, including monitoring uptime, failure modes, and maintenance effectiveness.
• Collaborate with technicians and client stakeholders to develop and implement process improvements, work instruction updates, and best practices that enhance system reliability and throughput.
• Assist in root-cause analysis of complex or recurring automation issues and translate findings into actionable recommendations for maintenance and operations teams.
• Track KPIs related to automation assets and prepare summaries or reports for client and leadership.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on ASRS, autonomous mobile equipment, and vision/scanning systems.
• Maintain strong working relationships across CBRE technical teams and client operations to align priorities and performance goals.

Skills

Analytical skills

Clear communication

Root-cause analysis

Collaborative teamwork

Education

Technical degree or equivalent in Mechatronics/Automation/Robotics or related field

Tools

CMMS

Cognex vision systems

ASRS/AMR systems

Job description

Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) Local is a hard services-led, tailored facility management solution. We self-perform hard services while partnering with best-in-class soft service providers to offer custom facility and project management solutions to our clients. We focus on empowering our team with a high-level of downstream accountability, resulting in an agile and efficient service delivery.

In addition to our core facility and project management capabilities, our platform offers direct access to our Best-in-Classservices, including ESG, Security Consulting, Workplace Strategy, and Workplace Experience.

What You'll Do:

As a Systems Engineering Analyst at CBRE, you will serve as the key technical liaison between the CBRE automation maintenance team and the client operations team. This role focuses on analyzing, optimizing, and continuously improving the performance of advanced automated material handling systems. You will work closely with both teams to identify opportunities, refine processes, and drive reliability across Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) crane racking systems, self-guided vehicles (including Kuka AMRs and Gideon autonomous forklifts), Cognex scan tunnel and camera systems, and related automation assets. The position combines systems analysis, performance monitoring, and cross-functional collaboration to support high-throughput operations and long-term system health.

What your day-to-day will look like:

• Act as the primary liaison between CBRE's automation technicians and the client team, facilitating clear communication on system performance, issues, and improvement opportunities.
• Analyze performance data for ASRS crane systems, self-guided vehicles, and Cognex vision/scan systems to identify trends, bottlenecks, and opportunities for optimization.
• Support and refine the service and reliability programs for self-guided vehicles, including monitoring uptime, failure modes, and maintenance effectiveness.
• Collaborate with technicians and client stakeholders to develop and implement process improvements, work instruction updates, and best practices that enhance system reliability and throughput.
• Assist in root-cause analysis of complex or recurring automation issues and help translate findings into actionable recommendations for both maintenance and operations teams.
• Track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to automation assets and prepare clear summaries or reports for client and internal leadership.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on ASRS, autonomous mobile equipment, and vision/scanning systems.
• Maintain strong working relationships across CBRE technical teams and client operations to ensure alignment on priorities and system performance goals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Technical degree or equivalent (such as Mechatronics, Industrial Technology, Automation, Robotics, Mechanical, Electrical, or a related technical field). An engineering degree is preferred but not required.
• Experience working with or supporting automated material handling systems, ASRS, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs/AGVs), self-guided industrial vehicles, or vision/scanning systems.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret system performance data, identify trends, and recommend practical improvements.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to both technical (maintenance) and non-technical (client operations) audiences.
• Familiarity with preventive/predictive maintenance practices, CMMS platforms, and continuous improvement methodologies is a plus.
• Experience in a manufacturing, distribution, or industrial automation environment preferred.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a collaborative approach to problem-solving across teams.

Physical Demands:

This position is primarily analytical and collaborative but is based in an industrial manufacturing environment. The role may require walking the production or warehouse floor, occasional standing for extended periods, and the ability to observe equipment in operation. Some exposure to noise, temperature variations, and typical industrial conditions may occur when working on-site with the automation and client teams. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Why CBRE

When you join CBRE, you become part of the global leader in commercial real estate services and investment that helps businesses and people thrive. We are dynamic problem solvers and forward-thinking professionals who create significant impact. Our collaborative culture is built on our shared values - respect, integrity, service and excellence - and we value the diverse perspectives, backgrounds and skillsets of our people. At CBRE, you have the opportunity to chart your own course and realize your potential. We welcome all applicants.

Applicant AI Use Disclosure

We value human interaction to understand each candidate's unique experience, skills and aspirations. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to make hiring decisions, and we ask that candidates disclose any use of AI in the application and interview process.