Lights Out Automation Engineer

Colonial Group; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Retirement plans

Paid vacation

Educational assistance

Parental leave

Adoption assistance

Job summary

RESRG Automotive is seeking a Lights Out Automation Engineer to design, deploy, and optimize robotic systems that enable autonomous production at the Portageville facility. You will lead projects from concept through production, integrating robots, PLCs, HMIs, vision, AI-driven inspection, and autonomous material handling to improve safety, quality, and OEE.

The role requires 5+ years of automation experience, strong troubleshooting, and excellent collaboration skills as part of a

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Mechanical, Mechatronics, Electrical, Robotics or related field.
• 5+ years of experience implementing industrial automation systems.
• Strong hands-on experience programming industrial robots and PLC-based control systems.
• Experience integrating vision systems, sensors, drives, and automation components.
• Ability to lead projects from concept through startup and production stabilization.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and a passion for continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, program, commission, and optimize advanced robotic manufacturing systems.
• Develop next-generation automation solutions supporting Lights-Out Manufacturing.
• Program and integrate industrial robots, PLCs, HMIs, servos, drives, and motion control systems.
• Implement advanced machine vision and AI-driven inspection technologies.
• Develop autonomous material handling solutions utilizing AGVs, AMRs, and intelligent logistics systems.
• Lead automation projects from concept through production launch.
• Partner with plant operations, maintenance, quality, and manufacturing engineering teams to identify and execute high-impact automation opportunities.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and help shape the future automation roadmap for Portageville and other RESRG facilities.
• Troubleshoot complex system issues and continuously improve equipment performance, reliability, and OEE.
• Contribute to new standards, automation architectures, and best practices replicated enterprise-wide.
• Serve as a technical leader for robotics and controls initiatives that accelerate OAMI advancement.

Skills

Robot programming

PLC control

Vision systems

Troubleshooting

Project leadership

Education

BS/MS in Mechanical Eng / Mechatronics Eng / Electrical Eng / Robotics Eng

Tools

FANUC programming

Studio 5000 / ControlLogix

FactoryTalk / PowerFlex

Job description

We are looking for you to join our team as Lights Out Automation Engineer at our Portageville, MO facility!

Position Summary

RESRG Automotive is looking for a highly Lights Out Automation Engineer to help create one of the most advanced manufacturing operations in North America.

This is an opportunity to help define and deploy the next generation of manufacturing where robotics, AI, machine vision, autonomous material flow, advanced controls, and digital technologies work together to enable increasing levels of autonomous production and ultimately support our Lights-Out Manufacturing roadmap.

As part of RESRG's Operations Transformation team, you will lead the design, programming, deployment, and optimization of robotic and automation systems that directly advance our lights-out strategy. You will help transform Portageville into a showcase facility where innovative automation technologies deliver new levels of safety, quality, productivity, and operational excellence.

If you are passionate about robotics, enjoy solving difficult engineering challenges, and want to build technology that changes how factories operate, we want to hear from you.

What You'll Do

• Design, build, program, commission, and optimize advanced robotic manufacturing systems.
• Develop next-generation automation solutions supporting our Lights-Out Manufacturing vision.
• Program and integrate industrial robots, PLCs, HMIs, servos, drives, and motion control systems.
• Implement advanced machine vision and AI-driven inspection technologies.
• Develop autonomous material handling solutions utilizing AGVs, AMRs, and intelligent logistics systems.
• Lead automation projects from concept through production launch.
• Partner with plant operations, maintenance, quality, and manufacturing engineering teams to identify and execute high-impact automation opportunities.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and help shape the future automation roadmap for Portageville and other RESRG facilities.
• Troubleshoot complex system issues and continuously improve equipment performance, reliability, and OEE.
• Contribute to new standards, automation architectures, and best practices that will be replicated across the enterprise.
• Serve as a technical leader for robotics and controls initiatives that accelerate OAMI advancement.

Why This Role Is Different

You will be helping design the factory of the future.

This position offers the opportunity to:

• Work with world-class robotics, humanoids, controls, vision, AI, and autonomous manufacturing technologies.
• Lead high-visibility automation projects with executive sponsorship.
• Influence the strategic direction of RESRG's manufacturing transformation.
• Participate in benchmarking, innovation scouting, and emerging technology evaluations.
• Build systems that push beyond traditional automation toward increasingly autonomous manufacturing.
• Join a team whose mission is to make Portageville a benchmark facility for advanced manufacturing within the automotive industry.

What You Bring

• BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience implementing industrial automation systems.
• Strong hands-on experience programming industrial robots and PLC-based control systems.
• Experience integrating vision systems, sensors, drives, and automation components.
• Ability to lead projects from concept through startup and production stabilization.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and a passion for continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• FANUC robot programming and vision experience.
• Allen-Bradley Studio 5000, ControlLogix, FactoryTalk, and PowerFlex expertise.
• Experience with AI-enabled inspection systems.
• Experience with AGVs, AMRs, autonomous logistics, or warehouse automation.
• Automation simulation and digital twin experience.
• Experience commissioning highly automated manufacturing cells or production lines.
• Automotive manufacturing experience.
• Knowledge of Industry 4.0, IIoT, MES integration, and smart factory technologies.

Join the Team Building the Future

At RESRG Automotive, we believe the next generation of manufacturing will be defined by intelligent automation, digital connectivity, and autonomous operation. If you're excited by the challenge of helping build a Lights-Out Manufacturing environment and advancing one of the industry's most aggressive automation roadmaps, Portageville is where you can make your mark.

About the Company

We are a fast-growing global manufacturer with a strong internal culture that values respect, diversity, and purposeful work. We offer career paths that enable professional growth, a team-focused environment, and a commitment to safety and wellness.

Our Benefits

Our goal is for each employee and their family to live fulfilling and healthy lives. Our benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, AD&D, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, paid parental leave, and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description. Speak to your recruiter for details on benefits that apply to you.

Equal Opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify.