Lead Automation Engineer

Socket.dev; Saint Clair Shores (MI); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Fisher Dynamics in Saint Clair Shores, MI seeks a Lead Automation Engineer to drive strategic automation across our automotive manufacturing facilities. You will bridge physical automation with digital engineering, leading robotic work cells, virtual commissioning, and ROI-driven CapEx decisions.

You will lead a team of controls and simulation engineers, ensure IATF 16949 compliance, and partner with OEMs to deliver high-throughput, low-risk production lines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or a highly relevant engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive engineering experience in high-volume manufacturing.
• At least 5 years leading automation engineering teams.
• Advanced proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks, Catia, or Inventor) for mechanical design and mechanism simulation.
• Direct experience programming or defining architectures for industrial robotics (Fanuc, Kuka, ABB, or Yaskawa) and PLCs (Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens).
• Mastery of simulation platforms such as Siemens Process Simulate/Plant Simulation, Dassault Systèmes DELMIA, Visual Components, or Arena.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation strategy across manufacturing facilities to offset labor constraints and reduce costs.
• Design and deploy automated work cells including EOAT, feeding mechanisms, and fixtures.
• Oversee prototyping, debugging, and deployment of automated systems in production lines.
• Architect and deploy multi-axis robotics, cobots, high-speed vision, AGVs/AMRs, and PLC/HMI architectures.
• Prepare detailed CapEx proposals with ROI justifications and labor-hour savings.
• Lead a team of automation, controls, and simulation engineers and validate robotic work cells.
• Utilize simulation tools to predict cycle times, eliminate bottlenecks, and optimize ergonomics.
• Ensure compliant digital twin workflows and virtual commissioning before physical build.
• Collaborate with OEMs and internal stakeholders to meet IATF 16949 and customer specs.

Skills

Robotics programming

PLC/HMI architectures

Team leadership

Process optimization

Simulation analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Mechatronics

Electrical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Catia

Inventor

Siemens Plant Simulation

Arena

DELMIA

Visual Components

FANUC

KUKA

ABB

Yaskawa

Rockwell/AB

Job description

Fisher Dynamics is the automotive industry’s premier supplier of safety – critical seat structures and mechanisms. Steeped in a tradition of excellence, and rooted in automotive innovation, the Fisher story is filled with automotive manufacturing milestones. We bring design, engineering, and manufacturing vehicle seating systems to a new level with innovative thinking. We’re about cutting edge ideas. We have created an environment that encourages an uninterrupted flow of revolutionary concepts and unique ideas.

Fisher Dynamics is currently seeking a Lead Automation Engineer for our corporate AME team in Saint Clair Shores, MI. This position is responsible for leading the strategic vision, design, and deployment of advanced automation systems across our manufacturing facilities. This role bridges physical automation with digital engineering, leveraging cutting-edge simulation software and virtual commissioning to optimize plant throughput, minimize launch risks, and guarantee flawless execution of complex automotive assembly lines.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Labor Reduction Strategy: Analyze existing manual assembly, welding, material handling, and inspection processes across plants to identify automation opportunities that directly offset labor constraints and reduce operational costs.
• Hands-on Concept & Design: Lead the physical and mechanical design of custom automated work cells. Personally drive or closely direct the creation of mechanical concepts, end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), parts-feeding mechanisms, and fixture designs using 3D CAD platforms.
• Application & Deployment: Transition designs from virtual concepts to physical shop-floor realities. Oversee or directly perform prototyping, debugging, and final deployment of automated systems into active production lines.
• Technology Implementation: Architect and deploy solutions utilizing multi-axis industrial robotics, collaborative robots (cobots), high-speed vision inspection, autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs/AMRs), and advanced PLC architectures.
• Capex & ROI Responsibility: Author detailed Capital Expenditure (CapEx) proposals. Provide rigorous technical validation and ROI analysis, demonstrating clear labor-hour savings and payback timelines for every project.
• Establish the corporate roadmap for digital wins, virtual commissioning, and advanced automation simulation.
• Lead a team of automation, controls, and simulation engineers to design and validate robotic work cells, material handling systems, and assembly lines.
• Utilize discrete event and kinematic simulation tools to predict cycle times, eliminate bottlenecks, and optimize ergonomics prior to physical build.
• Oversee virtual commissioning workflows, ensuring PLC logic, HMI screens, and robot paths are fully verified in a digital environment to slash physical setup times.
• Partner with automotive OEMs and internal stakeholders to ensure all automated systems achieve compliance with IATF 16949 and rigorous customer specifications.
• Manage multi-million dollar CAPEX budgets for automation equipment, providing clear ROI justifications backed by simulation data.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or a highly relevant engineering discipline

Experience

Minimum of 10 years of progressive engineering experience in high-volume manufacturing (automotive supplier experience heavily preferred), with at least 5 years leading automation engineering teams

Skills

Advanced proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks, Catia, or Inventor) for mechanical design and mechanism simulation.

Direct experience programming or defining architectures for industrial robotics (Fanuc, Kuka, ABB, or Yaskawa) and PLCs (Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens).

Mastery of simulation platforms such as Siemens Process Simulate/Plant Simulation, Dassault Systèmes DELMIA, Visual Components, or Arena.

Deep technical understanding of PLC/HMI architectures (Rockwell, Siemens), robotic programming (FANUC, KUKA, ABB), and industrial networks.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Work Environment

Working environment and physical requirements of this position are those typical of an office setting and manufacturing environment.

Physical Demands

Ability to lift 40lbs