Staff Engineer, Manufacturing Automation

Kohler; Kohler (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Kohler is seeking a Staff Manufacturing Engineer – Automation to lead design and deployment of advanced automation across our global manufacturing network. You will partner with plant teams, engineering leaders, and suppliers to build smarter, scalable manufacturing systems and provide technical leadership from concept through implementation.

Responsibilities include strategic direction for automated solutions, design reviews, equipment readiness, and capital project execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or industrial engineering or related field is required.
• 8+ years of experience in mechanical design of automation is required.
• Proficiency with Creo (3D modeling) and Fanuc Roboguide is required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and Copilot is expected.
• Willingness to travel ~30% (US, Canada, Mexico) is expected.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership in automated solutions across Kohler's manufacturing network.
• Lead design reviews and ensure equipment readiness for projects.
• Develop capital equipment recommendations and business cases with financial justification.
• Stay current with automation methods and toolsets, deploying new approaches as needed.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to meet project requirements.
• Create value streams, time studies, and production schedules as needed.

Skills

8+ years automation design

Self-motivated

Team collaboration

Travel willingness 30%

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical or industrial engineering

Tools

Creo

AutoCAD

Fanuc Roboguide

Job description

Staff Engineer, Manufacturing Automation

Work Mode:Onsite

Location:Onsite, four days per week - Kohler, WI

Opportunity

As Staff ManufacturingEngineer – Automation, you will lead the design and deployment of advancedautomation solutions that strengthen safety, quality, delivery, and costperformance across Kohler’s global manufacturing network. This role turnsemerging technology into scalable, standardized equipment andprocesses—partnering with plant teams, engineering leaders, and suppliers tobuild smarter, more capable manufacturing systems. You will provide technicalleadership from concept through implementation, helping ensure automationsolutions are ready for launch, sustainable for plant teams, and aligned toKohler’s long-term manufacturing strategy.

Specific Responsibilities

Asthe Staff Manufacturing Engineer - Automation, provide the technical leadershipand coordination in the following:

• Supportthe global strategy for automated solutions that provides the best balanceof safety, quality, delivery and cost.
  
• Implementthe strategy of achieving standardized automation processes and ensureavailability of process information.
  
• Participatein design engineering reviews with plant teams to ensure the solutions willmeet the requirements proposed in the ACT.
  
• Ensureequipment and process readiness prior to kick off of projects.
  
• Ensureautomation processes are capable, ready, and proven prior to new productlaunches.
  
• Providecapacity planning, capital equipment recommendations and implementationpartnership with the plant operations engineering teams.
  
• Developbusiness cases with supporting financial justification that illustrate theproof of value of the investment.
  
• Remainup-to-date on all methods of automation and related tools whilerecommending new approaches and tools.
  
• Deployleading technological advancements to achieve SQDC improvements for bothinternal and supplier processes as they relate to automation.
  
• Masteryunderstanding of robotics, automation products, and vision systems
  
• Collaborationwith automation engineering staff and equipment suppliers to provideprocess control requirements and offer design critiques and mitigationwhen required.
  
• Abilityto create and/or understand value stream maps, time studies, andproduction schedules.
  
• Mechanical design mastery with firm knowledge of GD&T including the use of AutoCAD and Creo (3D modeling)
  
• Intermediate Fanuc Roboguide Simulation Software knowledge
  
• Intermediate hydraulic, pneumatic, & machining knowledge

OtherSkillsets (not required, highly desirable)

• Intermediate knowledge of PLC programming (Rockwell Automation, Siemens)
  
• Functional safety engineering (SAF TUV) control reviews to ensure supplier design commitments meet specification with mastery of regulatory safety standards.
  
• Basicknowledge of ASRS systems.
  
• Intermediateknowledge of AGV systems.

Skills/Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, industrial engineering or related engineering field required.
  
• 30% travel required. Majority of travel will be focused on US, Canada, and Mexico.
  
• 8+ years experiencerelated to mechanical design of automation required.
  
• Proficiency with Creo (3D modeling) and Fanuc Roboguide required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and Copilot.
  
• Must be self-motivated and have the ability to functionwithin a project team environment.

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Why Choose Kohler?

We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.

About Us

It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact . Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.