Senior Automation Project Engineer

Jobtailor; Alabama; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking an experienced Automation Project Lead to define requirements, develop simulations, and present scalable automated manufacturing solutions to stakeholders. You will own the design, assessment, and justification of production-line architectures from concept through commissioning.

The role emphasizes collaboration with engineering teams, cost estimation, labor-hour projections, and strict schedule and budget control.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, controls, mechatronics, or related engineering field.
• 5+ years hands-on experience in the design, build, and commissioning of automated manufacturing systems.
• 2+ years in a project management or technical lead role on capital equipment or automation projects.
• Experience with automation simulation and cycle time analysis using Process Simulate, Visual Components, FlexSim, or similar.

Responsibilities

• Engage internal customers to define, document, and validate system requirements for automated manufacturing solutions.
• Develop conceptual simulations and cycle time models of machines and lines to evaluate automation strategies.
• Develop initial conceptual solutions for automated manufacturing equipment and present to stakeholders for feedback.
• Lead Design for Automated Manufacturing initiatives with product design teams.
• Prepare cost estimates, labor-hour projections, and project schedules for proposed automation solutions.
• Own project execution from requirements through commissioning, maintaining schedule, budget, and scope.
• Maintain comprehensive technical knowledge and serve as the primary point of accountability for system requirements and decisions.
• Identify and evaluate automation component suppliers; support procurement decisions.
• Collaborate with engineering teams during detailed design and provide technical clarification.

Skills

Project Management

Collaboration

Communication

Stakeholder Engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Controls, Mechatronics, or related engineering field

Tools

Process Simulate

Visual Components

FlexSim

Job description

• Engage internal customers to define, document, and validate system requirements for automated manufacturing solutions
• Develop conceptual simulations and cycle time models of individual machines and production lines to evaluate and recommend optimal automation strategies and production line architectures
• Develop initial conceptual solutions for automated manufacturing equipment; present solutions and justifications to customer stakeholders and refine approaches based on feedback
• Lead Design for Automated Manufacturing initiatives with product design teams
• Prepare cost estimates, labor-hour projections, and project schedules for proposed automation solutions
• Own project execution from requirements definition through commissioning, maintaining schedule, budget, and scope alignment throughout the project lifecycle
• Maintain comprehensive technical knowledge of assigned projects; serve as the primary point of accountability for system requirements, design decisions, and project status
• Identify and evaluate automation component suppliers; support procurement and sourcing decisions
• Collaborate with engineering teams during detailed design; provide technical clarification and maintain alignment with conceptual intent

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Controls, Mechatronics, or related engineering field
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on technical experience in the design, build, and commissioning of automated manufacturing systems
• Minimum 2 years in a project management, technical lead, or equivalent leadership role on capital equipment or automation projects
• Hands-on technical experience in industrial automation — including mechanical design, controls engineering, or both
• Experience with automation simulation and cycle time analysis using tools such as Process Simulate, Visual Components, FlexSim, or similar
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in the design, build, and commissioning of automated manufacturing systems, with a strong focus on project management and collaboration with engineering teams. Proficient in automation simulation and cycle time analysis, ensuring alignment with project requirements and stakeholder feedback.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Automated Manufacturing Systems Design
• Project Management
• Automation Simulation
• Cycle Time Analysis
• Mechanical Design

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Automated Manufacturing Systems
• Project Execution
• System Requirements Definition
• Design for Automation
• Cost Estimation
• Labor-Hour Projections
• Technical Clarification
• Supplier Evaluation

Soft Skills

• Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Communication

Industry Keywords

• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Controls Engineering
• Mechatronics
• Capital Equipment

Tools & Technologies

• Process Simulate
• Visual Components
• FlexSim