Senior Automation Engineer - Smart Manufacturing & Robotics

Nike; St. Charles (KY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Nike Air Manufacturing & Innovation seeks a Senior Automation Engineer to transform approved concepts into safe, reliable automation solutions that scale across Air MI. You’ll lead design, integration, and deployment across material handling, thermoforming, inspection, and connected systems, ensuring successful handoff to operations.

The role emphasizes ownership of FAT/SAT, go-live, and production acceptance, plus developing playbooks and documentation for scalable deployment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in automation, robotics, controls, manufacturing systems, or related engineering disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience delivering automation projects from detailed design through commissioning and operational handoff.
• Strong knowledge of Rockwell PLCs, HMI development, industrial networking, and controls architectures.
• Experience with robotics platforms (ABB, Denso, Universal Robots, or equivalent) and vision systems (Keyence, Cognex, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with industrial data systems, OT connectivity, and Industry 4.0 concepts.
• Understanding of FAT, SAT, commissioning, validation, go-live, and production acceptance processes.
• Strong structured problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders across Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and IT.

Responsibilities

• Lead detailed design, integration, and deployment of automation solutions across material handling, thermoforming, inspection, packaging, and connected systems.
• Drive commissioning, validation, FAT, SAT, pilot execution, go-live, and production acceptance activities.
• Partner with Lead Automation Engineers to convert production-intent designs into deployable solutions.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities with Operations, Maintenance, IT, Facilities, EHS, and external vendors.
• Develop validation plans, execute testing protocols, and document results for production readiness.
• Troubleshoot complex automation, controls, robotics, and system integration issues during deployment.
• Support hypercare activities and transition systems into long-term operations.
• Develop technical documentation, operating procedures, and deployment playbooks for scalable deployment.
• Provide technical coaching and knowledge transfer to Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering teams.
• Communicate project progress, risks, issues, and mitigation plans to leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Safety awareness

Education

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

Tools

Rockwell PLCs

HMI development

Industrial networking

OT connectivity

Vision systems

Controls architectures

Job description

Nike Air Manufacturing & Innovation seeks a Senior Automation Engineer to transform approved concepts into safe, reliable automation solutions that scale across Air MI. You’ll lead design, integration, and deployment across material handling, thermoforming, inspection, and connected systems, ensuring successful handoff to operations.

The role emphasizes ownership of FAT/SAT, go-live, and production acceptance, plus developing playbooks and documentation for scalable deployment.