Distribution Automation Reliability Engineer

McMaster-Carr; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 185,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship programs

Employee resource groups

Comprehensive medical/dental/vision

Job summary

McMaster-Carr is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer to advance distribution automation. You will drive standards for AS/RS, conveyors, sortation, and packaging technology, using data to improve throughput and uptime.

You will collaborate with controls, software, and analytics to solve complex operational challenges. Join the Central Engineering team to design, specify, and implement high‑uptime automation in a fast-paced environment, while shaping future systems and processes for better

Qualifications

• 2+ years of professional experience in warehouse automation, including AS/RS, automated receiving, packaging tech, sorting, or palletizing.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent.
• Knowledge of hardware, controls, software, analytics, and AI disciplines is preferred.
• Experience in a fast-paced, high uptime, operational environment.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and advanced project execution skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify recurring faults, downtime patterns, and flow constraints using root-cause analysis and data.
• Improve automated packaging by standardizing alignment, controls, and software parameters.
• Define how automated equipment responds to faults with controls and software teams.
• Enhance user experience in goods-to-person picking from totes to cartons.
• Design/optimize material flow connecting AS/RS, picking, packing, workstations, and sortation.
• Improve automated receiving through vision, routing, and put-away.
• Support equipment commissioning, startup, throughput validation, and ramp-up.
• Create data elements and analytics to identify faults and improve OEE; explore AI-enabled troubleshooting.

Skills

Warehouse automation

AS/RS systems

Controls & software

Data analytics

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems / mechanical / electrical / CS engineering

Tools

Vision systems

Conveyors

Robotics

Job description

McMaster-Carr is an innovative e-commerce company helping customers build and repair anything because we offer everything. We've thrived for 125 years through a relentless focus on customer experience, adaptability, and world-class operations. Curious, exceptional people are at the center of our evolution, turning new challenges and disruptive technologies into opportunities to learn, grow, and do work that makes customers' lives better.

What You’ll Do

It is an exciting time at McMaster-Carr as we expand the use of automation in our distribution operations. Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), right-sized packaging technology, conveyors, and sortation equipment are just some of the technologies in the scope of this role.

Our Central Engineering team is advancing projects that improve the reliability and performance of automation systems. Projects span material handling design, controls, software, analytics, process design and AI. You will help establish standards for new systems, improve systems already in operation, and solve complex technical problems in a high-up-time environment. The work spans equipment and process design, controls, software, and analytics. You will use operational data to spot trends and constraints, recommend changes that improve throughput and uptime, establish standards for new systems, and help solve complex problems in a high-uptime environment.

Make an impact and grow your engineering skills through work such as:

• Identifying recurring conveyor and material‑handling equipment faults, downtime patterns, and flow constraints; using root‑cause analysis and performance data to prioritize improvements.
• Improving automated packaging technology by creating standards for physical alignment, controls configurations, and software parameters.
• Defining how automated equipment should respond to control faults and warnings in partnership with controls and software specialists.
• Enhancing the user experience of picking from totes to cartons in a goods‑to‑person system.
• Designing or improving the material flow that connects AS/RS, picking, packing, workstations, sortation, and downstream processes.
• Improving automated receiving through vision, identification, routing, induction, or put‑away processes.
• Improving conveyor, sortation, mobile‑robotics, or related material‑handling systems to increase reliability, throughput, and equipment availability.
• Supporting equipment commissioning, startup, throughput validation, and the ramp‑up of automation into day‑to‑day operations.
• Creating data elements and analytics that identify automation faults, downtime, and opportunities to improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE); exploring Al‑enabled troubleshooting tools where useful.
• Evaluating alternatives, explaining technical and operational trade‑offs, and recommending practical solutions with operations, maintenance, vendors, and engineering partners.
• Supporting complex system issues that extend beyond established operating and maintenance playbooks.

Cash Compensation

Total cash compensation is generally around $185,000 to $230,000 and includes profit sharing based on company performance.

• Informal and formal mentorship
• Employee resource groups
• Medical, dental, pharmacy, and vision plans with no monthly premiums

Family & Future

• Paid parental leave for all new parents
• Adoption and surrogacy assistance
• First‑time home buyer assistance
• Industry‑leading company‑funded retirement accounts

Time Off

• Paid vacation and personal time

Qualifications:

• 2+ years of professional experience in warehouse automation, including experience with AS/RS, automated receiving using vision systems, packaging technologies, shipping sorters, or palletizing
• Bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems, mechanical, electrical, computer science engineering or equivalent
• Knowledge of hardware, controls, software, process design, analytics, and AI disciplines is preferred
• Experience in a fast‑paced, high uptime, operational environment
• Proven experience managing multiple projects simultaneously
• Excellent communication skills and advanced project execution skills
• Strong business and financial acumen paired with domain and technical expertise
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and roadmap, plan, and execute
• Commitment to personal, professional, and team growth

Additional Information

For more information on McMaster-Carr, please visit: www.mcmaster.com/careers

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees a workplace with reasonable accommodation and free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. At McMaster-Carr, we do not make employment decisions based on age, ethnicity, citizenship status, military status, gender identity and expression, race, religion, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected group.

This position is not eligible for work authorization sponsorship by McMaster-Carr.