Spec Mfg Technology Automation

3M; Maplewood (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation may be authorized

On-site work at 3M Center, Maplewood

Job summary

3M is seeking an Automation Manufacturing Technology Specialist to lead packaging automation initiatives across multiple sites. You will define technical requirements, lead project teams, and drive reliable, scalable automation solutions from concept through startup.

You will collaborate with controls, mechanical, EHS, quality, and operations teams to improve safety, productivity, and efficiency while aligning with CAPEX plans and future integration needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Control and Automation Engineering or related field.
• Ten years of engineering experience in manufacturing or automation environments.
• Three years of packaging automation, end‑of‑line systems, robotics or material handling projects.
• Five years of experience with machine automation, conveyors, and process integration.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for packaging automation across manufacturing sites.
• Define technical requirements, layouts, throughput and acceptance criteria for packaging systems.
• Direct automation, controls, robotics, vision, safety, and packaging interface projects.
• Lead development of automation solutions (case erectors, conveyors, labeling, robotics).
• Collaborate with controls, logistics, and operations teams for scalable solutions.
• Identify risks early and drive mitigation to ensure on-time startup and ramp-up.

Job description

Automation Manufacturing Technology Specialist

Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World

Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the company that you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a wide variety of people, global locations, technologies and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers.

This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career.

The Impact You’ll Make in this Role

As an Automation Manufacturing Technology Specialist, the person will provide technical leadership for packaging automation, end-of-line systems, and automated material handling across manufacturing sites. This role will focus on developing and deploying automation solutions, equipment improvements, and process standards that improve safety, quality, productivity, labor efficiency, changeover efficiency, flow, and equipment reliability. Beyond specific projects, this position will help build long‑term organizational capability by developing standards, applying lessons learned, supporting supplier development, and replicating best practices across sites.

As a(n) Automation Manufacturing Technology Specialist you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative people around the world. Here, you will make an impact by:

• Provide technical leadership for packaging automation, end‑of‑line systems, and automated material handling across manufacturing sites, supporting both current project needs and long‑term capability development.
• Provide technical leadership and direction for packaging automation initiatives, helping project teams evaluate technical options through data‑driven analysis, engineering judgment, and calculated risk assessment.
• Define and review technical requirements, equipment specifications, process scope, layouts, throughput requirements, and acceptance criteria for new or upgraded packaging automation systems.
• Direct project teams technically across automation, controls, robotics, vision systems, safety, product handling, case handling, labeling, palletizing, and process integration.
• Lead or support the development of automation solutions such as case erectors, product feeding/loading, robotic pick‑and‑place, conveyors, case sealing, labeling, vision inspection, palletizing, and automated material movement.
• Define and support interfaces between packaging automation and end‑of‑line automation, for future include AGV/AMR integration, automated material movement, pallet flow, and warehouse connectivity.
• Partner with controls, logistics, warehouse, and operations teams to ensure packaging automation solutions are designed with future AGV/AMR integration and autonomous material handling in mind.
• Partner with plants to identify opportunities to improve safety, ergonomics, quality, labor productivity, waste, capacity, changeover time, flow, and equipment reliability.
• Work with suppliers to develop, challenge, and validate machine concepts, layouts, automation approaches, throughput assumptions, and technical proposals.
• Participate in and provide technical direction during design reviews, FAT, installation, commissioning, SAT, startup, and production ramp‑up.
• Develop and apply standards, best practices, lessons learned, and technical guidelines for packaging automation and end‑of‑line systems.
• Collaborate with controls, mechanical, EHS, quality, operations, maintenance, supply chain, and project engineering teams to ensure robust and scalable solutions.
• Identify technical risks early and drive mitigation plans to reduce design gaps, rework, late‑stage changes, startup delays, cost increases, and performance shortfalls.
• Evaluate equipment flexibility for different SKUs, box sizes, product formats, packaging materials, changeovers, and future growth needs.
• Support business cases, CAPEX planning, project roadmaps, and prioritization by providing technical input, feasibility assessment, cost/benefit evaluation, and risk analysis.

Your Skills and Expertise

To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Control and Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related engineering discipline or higher (completed and verified prior to start)
• Ten (10) years of engineering experience, preferably in manufacturing, project, converting, automation, or equipment design in a private, public, government or military environment
• Three (3) years of experience with packaging automation, end‑of‑line systems, robotics, material handling, or manufacturing equipment projects.
• Five (5) years of experience with machine automation, mechanical systems, product handling, case handling, conveyor systems, robotic automation, machine safety, and process integration.

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

• Master's degree in engineering from an accredited institution
• Twelve (12) years of engineering experience, preferably in manufacturing, project, converting, automation, or equipment design in a private, public, government or military environment
• Working knowledge of industrial automation systems, including PLCs, HMIs, servo drives, VFDs, robotics, vision systems, safety systems, sensors, and industrial networks.
• Experience managing capital projects (CAPEX), including scope definition, business case support, supplier engagement, execution planning, and project delivery.
• Demonstrated experience leading equipment projects from concept through design, FAT, installation, SAT, startup, and production ramp‑up.
• Strong understanding of machine safety requirements, including guarding, EHS expectations, risk assessments, safety validation, LOTO, operator access, and maintenance access.
• Ability to work with external equipment suppliers, challenge technical solutions, and drive alignment on requirements, standards, throughput, and acceptance criteria.
• Strong project execution mindset, including scope control, risk management, timeline management, stakeholder alignment, issue resolution, and startup readiness.
• Hands‑on, boots‑on‑the‑ground engineering mindset, with strong responsiveness and the ability to quickly troubleshoot issues, align stakeholders, and drive practical solutions during FAT, installation, startup, and production ramp‑up.
• Strong project execution mindset, including scope control, risk management, timeline management, stakeholder alignment, and issue resolution.
• Ability to influence plant teams, suppliers, and cross‑functional partners without direct authority.

Work location:

• Work location: This role follows an on‑site working model, requiring the employee to work at least four days a week at the 3M Center in Maplewood, MN.
• Travel: May include up to 25‑50% domestic/international
• Relocation: May be authorized

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

3M offers many programs to help you live your best life – both physically and financially. To ensure competitive pay and benefits, 3M regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope.

All US‑based 3M full‑time employees will need to sign an employee agreement as a condition of employment with 3M. This agreement lays out key terms on using 3M Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. It also has provisions discussing conflicts of interest and how inventions are assigned. Employees that are Job Grade 7 or equivalent and above may also have obligations to not compete against 3M or solicit its employees or customers, both during their employment, and for a period after they leave 3M.

Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @3M.

Responsibilities of this position include that corporate policies, procedures and security standards are complied with while performing assigned duties.

Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.

Pay & Benefits Overview: https://www.3M.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/

3M does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.