Spec Mfg Technology Automation

3m; Maplewood (MN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

3M is seeking an Automation Manufacturing Technology Specialist in Maplewood, MN. The role focuses on providing technical leadership for packaging automation and end-of-line systems, enhancing safety, quality, and productivity across manufacturing sites.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree in Control and Automation Engineering, ten years of experience, and expertise in machine automation and robotics. This position requires on-site work at least four days a week with potential for travel.

Qualifications

• Ten years of engineering experience in manufacturing or automation.
• Three years of experience with packaging automation systems.
• Five years of experience with machine automation and robotic systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for packaging automation.
• Define technical requirements and acceptance criteria.
• Develop and apply standards for packaging automation systems.

Skills

Industrial automation systems knowledge

Managing capital projects

Leading equipment projects

Machine safety requirements

Troubleshooting issues

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Control and Automation Engineering or related field

Job description

Job Title

Automation Manufacturing Technology Specialist

Overview

Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World. 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers across a wide variety of people, global locations, technologies and products.

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.

Responsibilities

• 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 including 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.

Qualifications and Experience

• 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

• 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

Skills

• 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.
• Ability to influence plant teams, suppliers, and cross‑functional partners without direct authority.

Work Location

• On‑site work at the 3M Center in Maplewood, MN at least four days a week.
• 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 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.