Solution Engineer – IT Automation

First Quality King of Prussia PA; Lock Haven (Clinton County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary and bonus

Paid time off

Medical, dental and vision

401(k) with employer match

Paid parental leave

Tuition assistance

Wellness program

Job summary

First Quality Enterprises is seeking a Solution Engineer – IT Automation to drive automation initiatives across warehouse control systems, AS/RS, and AGVs. On-site at our Lock Haven facility, this role will travel 40–70% to connect with engineering and operations across multiple sites in OH, GA, PA and SC.

The ideal candidate brings 5+ years in IT/OT automation, strong programming and integration skills (C/C++/VC++, Java, PLC, SQL), and the ability to translate business requirements into

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in CS, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or related field; or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years IT/OT experience with automation and warehouse systems.
• Strong problem solving and written/verbal communication skills.
• Experience with automation systems integration and SAP/SAP-EWM is a plus.
• Travel 40–70% to manufacturing sites as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and delivery of automation solutions (warehouse control, AS/RS, AGVs).
• Define system requirements and ensure integration with SAP/EWM and BI platforms.
• Coordinate with site engineering and operations to meet project goals.
• Ensure solutions meet performance, security, and maintainability needs.
• Provide training and SME guidance for assigned systems.

Skills

C/C++/VC++

Java

JavaScript

ABAP

SQL

PLC

Automation Systems

Problem Solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in CS/ME/EE

Tools

SAP

SAP-EWM

WMS

IoT

Robotics

Job description

Founded over 35 years ago, First Quality is a family-owned company that has grown from a small business in McElhattan, Pennsylvania into a group of companies, employing over 5,000 team members, while maintaining our family values and entrepreneurial spirit. With corporate offices in New York and Pennsylvania and 8 manufacturing campuses across the U.S. and Canada, the companies within the First Quality group produce high-quality personal care and household products for large retailers and healthcare organizations. Our personal care and household product portfolio includes baby diapers, wipes, feminine pads, paper towels, bath tissue, adult incontinence products, laundry detergents, fabric finishers, and dishwash solutions. In addition, we manufacture certain raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of these products, including flexible print and packaging solutions. Guided by our values of humility, unity, and integrity, we leverage advanced technology and innovation to drive growth and create new opportunities. At First Quality, you’ll find a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning, professional development, and our mission to Make Things Better.

We are seeking a Solution Engineer – IT Automation for First Quality Enterprises. This position will be onsite at our Lock Haven facility and will require 40-70% travel to our manufacturing sites in OH, GA, PA and SC. The IT Automation team provides strategic direction, technical/functional expertise, and product management for First Quality’s Automation solutions including Warehouse Automation, AS/RS solutions, and Automated-Guided Vehicles. The Solution Engineer, as a key member of the IT Automation Team, provides functional and technical leadership for the definition, design, and delivery of First Quality’s automation systems. Solution Engineers are assigned one or more specialization area(s) such as Self-Guided Vehicle systems, automated storage and retrieval systems and other material handling solutions. This position is responsible for partnering with site engineering and operations team to ensure projects are deployed successfully. The person in this role will interact with team members within First Quality plant locations to define business requirements, scope solutions, develop specifications, and oversee delivery of solutions. This position is the primary engineering contact for their assigned system of specialization and, as such, serves as the 3rd level support escalation point for their assigned system(s). This position will be held accountable for the training and education of operations team members on automation systems specifically related to their assigned site’s warehouse control systems, warehouse automation, AS/RS, and automated-guided vehicles, with the goal to fully utilize their system(s) capabilities. The person in this position will work closely with the leaders and Solution Engineers in the areas of Planning & Architecture, Business Systems/Warehouse Management Systems, Analytics, Software Quality Assurance, Enterprise Application Integration, Manufacturing Systems, Infrastructure Engineering, Database Engineering, Information Security and Solution Support to maintain a complete end-to-end systems lifecycle (Architecture to Support). As such, proven evidence of being a team player is critical for success in this role.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Provides input into overall direction, development and integration of warehouse control systems, warehouse automation (AS/RS), and automated guided vehicles.
• Focuses on strategic initiatives and plans; is proactive, anticipatory, and driving in nature to provide significant value to divisions/functions.
• Plays a lead role in enabling the business to achieve their objectives through the effective use of technology and continuous improvement.
• Work with business leadership to document a clear vision of a business opportunities and how they support the business plan.
• Works with the Campus/Divisions to understand business strategy and define system requirements.
• Ensures sound integration of processes for assigned systems across FQ.
• Serves as Subject Matter Expert for assigned systems in the areas of: Integration, Warehouse Control Systems, Material Handling Equipment, AS/RS, and Automated-Guided Vehicle integration to Business Systems (SAP, SAP-EWM).
• Ensures relevant Automation systems data is available in First Quality Analytics platform.
• Leads the delivery of assigned Automation Systems projects on time, within budget and meeting business requirements.
• Ensures adherence to IT enterprise architecture principles and guidelines.
• Ensures all assigned solutions are designed, built, and deployed to meet or exceed application performance and maintainability requirements thus enabling scalability and continuous updates from software vendors.
• Stays current on emerging Automation Solution technologies.

Ideal Candidate

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related field, in lieu of degree a combination of education and additional experience will be considered.
• Automation / Material handling Systems experience with a focus on warehouse management systems or material handling equipment automation 5 plus years of progressive IT/OT experience with at least 3 years in Automation Systems, warehouse control software implementation and integration or factory automation systems
• Strong problem solving and decision‑making skills with excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Experience/exposure to Programming Languages: C/C++/VC++, JAVA, JavaScript, VB/VBA, ABAP, C#, ASP, SQL, XML, HTML, PLC
• Ability and desire to engage with assigned business functions of the Enterprise to understand and articulate the business requirements as well as the IT capabilities and requirements
• Experience in system testing and system testing methodology
• Experience implementing software used in 24X7 environments
• Experience with the main functions and responsibilities within Supply Chain including Warehousing, Inventory Management, Logistics, and automation including Automated-Guided Vehicles, RF, etc.
• Experience with robotics and IOT devices
• Domestic travel 40% - 70% depending on location

Work Environment: Combination of office environment, warehouse environment, and manufacturing floor environment

What We Offer You

• Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities
• Paid time off (three-week minimum)
• Medical, dental and vision starting day one
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid parental leave
• Child and family care assistance (dependent care FSA with employer match up to $2500)
• Bundle of joy benefit (year's worth of free diapers to all team members with a new baby)
• Tuition assistance
• Wellness program with savings of up to $4,000 per year on insurance premiums ...and more!

First Quality is committed to protecting information under the care of First Quality Enterprises commensurate with leading industry standards and applicable regulations. As such, First Quality provides at least annual training regarding data privacy and security to employees who, as a result of their role specifications, may come in to contact with sensitive data.

First Quality is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, or protected Veteran status.

Founded over 35 years ago, First Quality is a family-owned company that has grown from a small business in McElhattan, Pennsylvania into a group of companies, employing over 5,000 team members, while maintaining our family values and entrepreneurial spirit. With corporate offices in New York and Pennsylvania and 8 manufacturing campuses across the U.S. and Canada, the companies within the First Quality group produce high-quality personal care and household products for large retailers and healthcare organizations. Our personal care and household product portfolio includes baby diapers, wipes, feminine pads, paper towels, bath tissue, adult incontinence products, laundry detergents, fabric finishers, and dishwash solutions. In addition, we manufacture certain raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of these products, including flexible print and packaging solutions. Guided by our values of humility, unity, and integrity, we leverage advanced technology and innovation to drive growth and create new opportunities. At First Quality, you’ll find a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning, professional development, and our mission to Make Things Better.