Director, Automation Engineering - Perishable Concept Design

Walmart; Bentonville (AR); On-site; USD 130,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits and insurance

401(k) and stock purchase

PTO and leave policies

Live Better U education benefit

Job summary

Walmart seeks a strategic, technically grounded leader to shape the next generation of automation in the Perishable Distribution Network. You will own the strategy and end-to-end design for perishable automation, translating long-term network needs into scalable architectures, operating models, and transformation roadmaps.

You will build and lead a high-performing team, connect design decisions to capital, operating costs, and network economics, and partner across Engineering, Operations,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field; 5+ years in engineering, supply chain, or related area.
• 7+ years' experience in engineering, supply chain, or related area; 3 years' supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing team and establish engineering practices for scalable automation programs.
• Own strategy and end-to-end design for the future of perishable automation, translating needs into scalable architectures and roadmaps.
• Define development roadmap from concept to deployment with clear success criteria and decision gates.
• Link design decisions to capital, operating cost, capacity, and network economics using analysis and modeling.

Skills

Team leadership

Strategic planning

Engineering analysis

Financial modeling

Capital investment assessment

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

Position Summary

Walmart is seeking a strategic and technically grounded leader to shape the next generation of automation within the Perishable Distribution Network. This role will lead the strategy and end-to-end design of automation solutions that have the potential to fundamentally transform how Walmart's perishable supply chain operates.

About the team:

The Perishable Automation Design team pioneers automation concepts shaping Walmart's grocery distribution future. Combining automation engineering, industrial engineering, analytics, operations expertise, and business strategy, the team addresses complex challenges in fresh and frozen supply chains. Their work begins early, evaluating emerging technologies, developing operating concepts, and modeling operational and financial performance. The team ensures solutions operate safely, reliably, and economically at scale, bridging automation innovation with practical operations to deliver transformational improvements across Walmart's network.

What you'll do

• Lead and develop a high-performing team while establishing the engineering practices, talent, and organizational capabilities required to repeatedly develop and scale next-generation automation solutions.
• Own the strategy and end-to-end design for the future of perishable automation, translating long-term network and business needs into scalable automation architectures, operating models, and transformation roadmaps.
• Establish the development roadmap from early concept through capability validation, pilot, investment decision, and scalable deployment, defining clear success criteria and decision gates along the way.
• Connect design decisions to capital, operating cost, capacity, and network economics using engineering analysis, simulation, and financial modeling to inform major investment decisions.

What you'll bring:

• Demonstrated ability to build and develop high-performing teams, navigate ambiguity, and establish structure and direction for first-of-kind programs.
• Proven experience leading large-scale automation, distribution, engineering, or supply chain transformation within complex operating environments.
• Deep understanding of distribution center operations, warehouse process design, material flow, capacity planning, and automation system integration.
• Strong business and financial acumen, including experience developing business cases, evaluating capital investments, and balancing CapEx and OpEx tradeoffs.
• Proven ability to lead through influence across Engineering, Operations, Finance, Construction, Technology, and external partners, including communicating complex technical tradeoffs to senior executives.

At Walmart, we offer competitive pay as well as performance-based bonus awards and other great benefits for a happier mind, body, and wallet. Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage. Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance. Paid time off benefits include PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting. Other benefits include short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more. You will also receive PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes. The amount you receive depends on your job classification and length of employment. It will meet or exceed the requirements of paid sick leave laws, where applicable. For information about PTO, see https://one.walmart.com/notices. Live Better U is a Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam's Club facilities. Programs range from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to a specific plan or program terms. For information about benefits and eligibility, see One.Walmart.

The annual salary range for this position is $130,000.00 - $260,000.00. Additional compensation includes annual or quarterly performance bonuses. Additional compensation for certain positions may also include : Stock

Minimum Qualifications

Outlined below are the required minimum qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no minimum qualifications.

Option 1: Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field and 5 years' experience in Engineering, supply chain, or a related area. Option 2: 7
years' experience in Engineering, supply chain, or a related area.
3 years' supervisory experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Outlined below are the optional preferred qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no preferred qualifications.

Doctorate: Computer Engineering, Masters: Computer Engineering

Primary Location

805 Respect, Bentonville, AR 72716, United States of America

Walmart and its subsidiaries are committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and has a no tolerance policy regarding the use of illegal drugs and alcohol on the job. This policy applies to all employees and aims to create a safe and productive work environment.