Senior Manufacturing Engineer: Automation & Continuous Improvement

Sterling Kohler; Arkansas; Hybrid; USD 92,000 - 141,000; Full time

Job summary

Kohler Co. in Sheridan, AR is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to lead manufacturing engineering projects, optimize processes, and implement automation across production systems.

The role requires hands-on leadership, PLC and FANUC robotics programming, SQL data analysis, and strong project execution to meet SQDC objectives. Salary range is $92,400–$141,000 with a potential bonus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering with 3+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering or automation-focused environment.
• Proficient in PLC programming and troubleshooting.
• Experience programming and maintaining FANUC robotics systems.
• Working knowledge of SQL databases and manufacturing data systems.
• Experience with Power BI and Microsoft automation tools.
• Demonstrated leadership, mentoring, and project execution capability.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing, continuous improvement, automation, and capital projects from concept through implementation.
• Define scope of work, develop cost estimates, manage budgets, and create ACTs for project justification, approval, and execution.
• Program, troubleshoot, maintain, and support PLC-controlled systems and FANUC robotic systems.
• Maintain and improve long-term reliability of automation systems including PLCs, robots, HMIs, and control networks.
• Utilize SQL databases, Microsoft automation tools, and Power BI reporting to analyze manufacturing and quality data.
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions for scrap, rework, downtime, throughput, and automation reliability issues.
• Support new product introductions including layouts, capacity analysis, PFMEA support, and risk mitigation.
• Manage daily project execution and communicate progress to impacted groups and leadership.
• Provide technical mentoring and leadership development to engineers, technicians, and manufacturing personnel.
• Develop and maintain training materials, standard work, and knowledge-transfer plans.
• Prepare and present project status reports, business cases, financial justifications, and performance metrics.
• Ensure all process and automation changes comply with safety, quality, and ISO standards.
• Perform other engineering duties as assigned.

Skills

PLC programming

FANUC robotics

SQL databases

Microsoft automation tools

Leadership

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Power BI

Microsoft automation tools

PLC programming software

FANUC robots

Job description

Kohler Co. in Sheridan, AR is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to lead manufacturing engineering projects, optimize processes, and implement automation across production systems.

The role requires hands-on leadership, PLC and FANUC robotics programming, SQL data analysis, and strong project execution to meet SQDC objectives. Salary range is $92,400–$141,000 with a potential bonus.