Lead Automation Engineer - Digital Manufacturing & Robotics

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 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.