Resident Engineer

KNAPP North America; Elwood (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with employer match

Paid vacation and holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Comprehensive health benefits

Job summary

KNAPP North America in Elwood, IL seeks a Resident Engineer to support automated storage systems. Responsibilities include troubleshooting, maintenance, and customer service, ensuring systems operate efficiently.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor’s in Engineering and has over 3 years of experience with electrical and mechanical systems. This role involves travel and requires strong communication skills. KNAPP offers industry-competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in maintenance of electrical and mechanical systems.
• Experience with PLCs, highly automated equipment, and control systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers.

Responsibilities

• Provide first-class maintenance support to automated systems.
• Investigate electro-mechanical faults and implement preventative measures.
• Establish and calibrate automation equipment.

Skills

Electrical expertise

Mechanical expertise

Problem-solving

Customer service

Communication

Bilingual (English/Spanish or English/German)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

PLC systems

Microsoft Office

Automation equipment

Job description

About the Company

KNAPP brings new technology to warehouse automation. The KNAPP Group is a global provider of intelligent automation solutions for intralogistics and manufacturing, specializing in the sectors healthcare, fashion/apparel, general retail, food retail, industry, and service. We live and breathe automation, and more than 8,000 employees across over 60 locations worldwide dedicate themselves to making complexity simple.

What You Get To Do

As a Resident Engineer, you will provide first‑class maintenance support to customers on operation and maintenance of automated storage, retrieval, and picking systems installed at the customer’s location. This role requires industrial electrical/mechanical expertise, teamwork to maximize equipment utilization and efficiency, and experience with electro‑mechanical faults and preventative maintenance operations.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Investigate and rectify electro‑mechanical faults and provide preventative measures for proper operation based on design specifications
• Act as emergency breakdown and specialist engineering expert
• Establish and calibrate automation equipment; analyze precision testing results
• Provide engineering expertise for the installation of conveyor and precision automation equipment
• Monitor systems and supplied equipment to ensure proper care and functionality; react to observed needs based on design specifications
• Perform mechanical strip‑down/ re‑assembly, wiring, machine calibration, and system testing according to system design requirements
• Oversee updates to various types of machinery systems and provide instruction related to proper engineering specifications
• Engineer equipment modifications and designs to troubleshoot PLC‑based machinery and highly automated robotics equipment and control systems
• Respond to emergency calls from customers
• Maintain safety consciousness, take ownership of problems, and promote successful completion of tasks
• Provide first‑class response to customers, aiming for a first‑time right policy
• Set up and calibrate precision automation equipment
• Create strong effective working relationships with customers and their operational agents to enable Knapp to provide superior service
• Achieve performance in terms of expected output, speed of response, quality of repair, and workmanship standards
• Train customer maintenance teams as required
• Maintain high quality service through effective communication with customers
• Ensure that reports are well written and legible
• Execute site quality procedures, safety procedures, and statutory procedures
• Participate in regular meetings to discuss activities and progress
• Provide specialist maintenance support to the customer’s installed system
• Log spare parts usage issues appropriately and promptly with the Knapp Spare Parts team
• Ensure proper care and maintenance of tooling and equipment
• Submit accurate and legible timesheets and documents to Knapp biweekly for approval
• Demonstrate mechanical strip‑down/re‑assembly, basic field wiring, machine calibration, and system testing experience
• Work against a timeframe to complete reactive repairs
• Interact with on‑site management, keeping them informed of repair and maintenance progression and addressing concerns professionally
• Show hands‑on ownership of issues to achieve quick resolution
• Appreciate health and safety considerations and conduct risk assessments
• Read assembly drawings and exhibit mechanical aptitude
• Operate hand tools and assemble parts onto equipment
• Follow set‑up instructions, assembly drawings, and checklists
• Exhibit strong attention to detail and exceptional follow‑up skills
• Communicate effectively and provide excellent customer service to both internal and external customers
• Be computer literate with basic Microsoft Office skills
• Show willingness to learn and adapt to changing role requirements
• Appreciate cultural diversity
• Perform all other duties as assigned

What You Have

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Automation, or a related field
• 3+ years of direct experience preferred
• 3+ years of demonstrated experience providing repairs on various types of machinery systems, including electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems, and utilizing 480 VAC, 240 VAC, 120 VAC, 48 VDC, 24 VDC, VFDs, and PLCs (Siemens preferred)
• 3+ years of experience in equipment maintenance, modification, and design preferred
• Theoretical and operational experience in repair, troubleshooting, and maintenance of PLC‑based machinery, highly automated and robotic equipment, and control systems
• Talent and commitment to provide unique interpretation or analysis of systems to customers
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Excellent customer service skills
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) or (English/German) preferred but not required
• Strong problem‑solving capabilities
• Process‑oriented mentality
• Network equipment interface knowledge, a plus
• Hands‑on experience and a team player committed to improving processes
• Experience in reducing costs through processes and efficiencies

Working Conditions and Environment

• Authorization to work in the U.S.
• Passport or ability to obtain a passport
• Professional etiquette required at all times
• Travel required up to 10%
• Weekends and overtime as required by work schedules
• Physical requirements may include sitting, squatting, walking long distances, reaching arm’s length, reaching overhead, climbing ladders, climbing stairs, working at heights, lifting up to 100 pounds, and reading

What You Will Get

• Industry‑competitive compensation
• Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short & Long Term Disability, and more
• 401(k) with a generous employer match and no vesting period
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Profit sharing
• Paid parental leave
• Subsidized daycare
• Tuition reimbursement
• Pet insurance

KNAPP is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a work environment that supports, inspires, and respects all individuals without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, veteran status, disability status, or any other basis protected by law.

Due to the safety‑sensitive nature of this position, strict adherence to KNAPP’s drug‑free workplace policy is required. All candidates will be subject to drug‑screening in accordance with the policy and must remain drug‑free during employment. There will be no exception for recreational or medical use of marijuana if it is permitted in the location of employment or residence, or if use occurs only during “off‑hours.”