Lead Automation Engineer - Robotics & Manufacturing Systems

Power Design; Saint Petersburg (FL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Power Design Inc. is seeking a Senior Director of Robotics & Automation to build and lead the automation function across prefab, LFG, switchgear production, and the wire division.

You will own vendor evaluations, FAT/SAT execution, and the controls architecture while ensuring credible deployments on the manufacturing floor. You will evaluate cobot platforms, machine vision, and PLC/SCADA systems, collaborating with CI and OT teams to feed real-time data into Oracle Fusion.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in industrial automation or robotics engineering.
• Hands-on experience with two or more cobot platforms, machine vision, or industrial robotics.
• Strong PLC/SCADA background; reading ladder logic and integration requirements.
• Experience running FAT/SAT with defined criteria.
• Able to critically evaluate vendors and assess production deployments.
• Engineer background in prefab, manufacturing, or electrical construction is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical evaluation and selection of automation systems across prefab and LFG/switchgear manufacturing.
• Own FAT and SAT for all manufacturing robotics deployments, defining criteria and sign-off.
• Develop and maintain controls architecture standards across PLC/SCADA and OT data layer.
• Serve as primary technical interface with automation vendors and manage claims.
• Collaborate with Integration Engineer to ensure real-time data feeds into Oracle Fusion.
• Support capital investment cases with technical content and realistic timelines.
• Support wire division automation deployments as needed.

Skills

Industrial automation

Cobot platforms

PLC/SCADA

FAT/SAT

Vendor evaluation

Engineering background

Prefab/manufacturing experience

Education

Electrical/Mechanical/Industrial engineering degree

Tools

Universal Robots

FANUC

KUKA

Cognex

Keyence

Job description

Power Design Inc. is seeking a Senior Director of Robotics & Automation to build and lead the automation function across prefab, LFG, switchgear production, and the wire division.

You will own vendor evaluations, FAT/SAT execution, and the controls architecture while ensuring credible deployments on the manufacturing floor. You will evaluate cobot platforms, machine vision, and PLC/SCADA systems, collaborating with CI and OT teams to feed real-time data into Oracle Fusion.