Lead Automation Engineer: Digital Twins & Robotics

Fisher & Company, Inc.; Saint Clair Shores (MI); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Fisher Dynamics is seeking a Lead Automation Engineer in Saint Clair Shores, MI to lead the strategic vision and deployment of advanced automation across manufacturing facilities. You will bridge physical automation with digital engineering, driving virtual commissioning to optimize throughput and minimize launch risks.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline, 10+ years in high-volume manufacturing, and 5+ years leading automation teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent.
• 10+ years of progressive engineering experience in high-volume manufacturing, with 5+ years leading automation teams.
• Advanced proficiency in 3D CAD software and robotics programming; familiarity with PLC/HMI architectures.

Responsibilities

• Labor Reduction Strategy: identify automation opportunities to offset labor and reduce costs.
• Hands-on Concept & Design: design automated work cells, EOAT, fixtures using 3D CAD.
• Application & Deployment: prototyping, debugging, and deployment on production lines.
• Technology Implementation: deploy multi-axis robotics, cobots, vision, AGVs/AMRs, and PLC architectures.
• Capex & ROI: prepare CapEx proposals with ROI validation and payback timelines.
• Establish roadmap for digital wins, virtual commissioning, and automation simulation.
• Lead automation, controls, and simulation engineers to validate robotic work cells and lines.
• Use simulation to predict cycle times, reduce bottlenecks, and improve ergonomics.
• Oversee virtual commissioning to verify PLC, HMI, and robot paths in a digital environment.
• Ensure compliance with IATF 16949 and customer specs; manage multi-million dollar CAPEX budgets.

Skills

3D CAD

Industrial robotics programming

PLC & HMI architectures

Simulation platforms

Office software

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Tools

SolidWorks

Catia

Inventor

Siemens Process Simulate

Plant Simulation

DELMIA

Visual Components

Arena

Job description

Fisher Dynamics is seeking a Lead Automation Engineer in Saint Clair Shores, MI to lead the strategic vision and deployment of advanced automation across manufacturing facilities. You will bridge physical automation with digital engineering, driving virtual commissioning to optimize throughput and minimize launch risks.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline, 10+ years in high-volume manufacturing, and 5+ years leading automation teams.