Senior AGV Engineer

Ashley Furniture Industries; Advance (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision, EAP

Paid Time Off

Employee Discount on home furnishings

Professional Development Opportunities

Tuition Assistance

Ashley Wellness Centers

401(k) and Profit Sharing

Life Insurance

Job summary

Ashley Furniture Industries seeks a Senior AMR/AGV Applications Engineer to lead the rollout and upkeep of autonomous mobile robot and automated guided vehicle systems across manufacturing and distribution facilities. You will design, implement, and optimize automation solutions, ensuring seamless integration with MES/WMS and driving operational excellence.

The role demands strong robotics expertise, problem-solving ability, and effective communication to advance material handling processes and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; 5+ years with AMR/AGV systems required.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and excellent communication skills.
• Experience with robotics systems design, integration, and maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Lead installation, configuration, and integration of AMR/AGV systems across facilities.
• Design and implement custom automation solutions for AMR/AGV performance.
• Develop and maintain control/monitoring systems for fleets across multiple sites.
• Ensure seamless MES/WMS integration with AMR/AGV systems.
• Provide advanced technical support and perform preventive maintenance.

Skills

AMR/AGV systems

Robotics

MES/WMS integration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or related field

Tools

ROS

PLC programming

Job description

Build Your Career with Ashley Furniture- Where Innovation Meets Comfort

Who We Are:

At Ashley, inspiring the love of home is at the heart of everything we do. As the world’s largest manufacturer of home furnishings, we’re more than a business — we’re a family driven by innovation, competitiveness, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. We persevere through challenges, push beyond the status quo, and constantly seek better ways to deliver an exceptional customer experience. Our solutions-first mindset and dedication to growth are why Ashley remains #1 in our industry.

If you’re ready to grow, you’ve come to the right place. With a true “Growth Mindset,” Ashley Furniture invests in developing future leaders and helps every team member learn from the best in the business.

Summary: Join Ashley Furniture Industries as we revolutionize our manufacturing and distribution operations through cutting edge robotics technology. As a Senior AMR/AGV Applications Engineer, you will lead the implementation and maintenance of autonomous mobile robot (AMR) and automated guided vehicle (AGV) systems across multiple manufacturing facilities and distribution centers. This role requires expertise in robotics systems, strong problem-solving abilities, and excellent communication skills to drive technological advancement in material handling processes. You'll play a crucial role in transforming our operations by designing custom automation solutions, ensuring seamless system integration, and optimizing performance across diverse operational environments.

Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership

• Lead installation, configuration, and integration of AMR/AGV systems across manufacturing facilities and distribution centers
• Design and implement custom solutions to optimize AMR/AGV performance in diverse operational environments
• Develop and maintain control/monitoring systems for AMR/AGV fleets across multiple facility types
• Ensure seamless integration between AMR/AGV systems and existing MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) and WMS (Warehouse Management Systems)
• Configure AMR/AGV systems to support production line material handling and warehouse operations

Technical Support & Maintenance

• Provide advanced technical support for AMR/AGV systems in manufacturing and distribution environments
• Conduct regular system health checks and preventive maintenance across all facilities
• Analyze and resolve complex technical issues to minimize production and distribution disruptions
• Develop and implement solutions for system optimization in various operational contexts

Training & Documentation

• Create comprehensive technical documentation for AMR/AGV systems in both manufacturing and distribution settings
• Develop and conduct training programs for production staff, warehouse personnel, and maintenance teams
• Provide ongoing technical guidance and support to manufacturing and distribution operations teams
• Maintain up-to-date documentation of system modifications and improvements across all facilities
• Work closely with manufacturing, distribution, and engineering teams to ensure successful AMR/AGV implementation
• Collaborate with engineers and vendors during leadership presentations and strategic planning sessions
• Partner with engineering teams to develop comprehensive automation solutions aligned with company objectives
• Participate in R&D initiatives to enhance AMR/AGV capabilities for manufacturing and distribution applications
• Identify opportunities for process automation in production lines and warehouse operations
• Evaluate new technologies and recommend solutions for manufacturing and distribution automation
• Develop metrics and KPIs to measure system performance across different operational environments
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives in both manufacturing and distribution

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or related field (Required)
• Minimum 5 years of experience with AMR/AGV systems (Required)
• Strong technical problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication abilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in related field
• MES/WMS integration knowledge
• Fleet management system expertise
• Training and documentation experience

Work Requirements

• Schedule: Flexible schedule with occasional extended hours
• Scope: Multiple facility responsibility with cross-functional team leadership

This position is located in an active industrial manufacturing and distribution center with moderate to high noise levels, temperature variations, and material handling equipment in operation. The role may require extended periods of standing or walking on concrete floors and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses and steel-toed boots. The fast-paced environment involves time-sensitive and safety sensitive operations and may include various shift schedules to support production and distribution needs.

Benefits We Offer:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off; increases with years of service
• Generous Employee Discount on home furnishings
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Tuition Assistance
• Ashley Wellness Centers (location specific)
• 401(k) and Profit Sharing
• Life Insurance

Our Core Values:

• Honesty & Integrity: Acts with transparency, discretion, and ethical judgment. Trusted to handle sensitive information and provide accurate, unbiased insights.
• Dirty Fingernail: Takes full accountability for outcomes, not just tasks. Inspects details, ensures data accuracy, and follows through to completion.
• Continuous Improvement: Actively seeks better ways to improve templates, tools, and processes. Learns from prior initiatives and embeds lessons into standard work.
• Growth & Results Focus: Understands how transformation initiatives drive growth, cost reduction, and profitability. Keeps work aligned to enterprise priorities.
• Culture of Leadership: Leads through influence, reliability, and example. Builds trust across functions and supports leaders at every level.
• Customer-Centric & Boundaryless: Works across silos for the greater good of the organization. Ensures outputs meet the needs of executives, initiative owners, and teams.
• Operational Excellence: Demonstrates strong organizational discipline, attention to detail, and the ability to translate ambiguity into clear, executable tools.

Corporate Social Responsibility

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and provide a drug-free working environment. While Ashley appreciates the interest of all candidates only those meeting specific position requirements may be contacted. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. The company reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Please note this position is not eligible for current or future employment sponsorship. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or at any time in the future.