Staff Engineer, Manufacturing Automation

Sterling Kohler; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 104,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Day 1 benefits

Performance bonus

Job summary

Kohler Co. is seeking a Staff Engineer, Manufacturing Automation to lead the design and deployment of advanced automation across its manufacturing network.

You will partner with plant teams, engineering leaders, and suppliers to deliver scalable, standardized automation that improves safety, quality, delivery, and cost. Responsibilities include providing technical leadership from concept through implementation, ensuring readiness before launches, and developing business cases for investments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, industrial engineering or related field.
• 8+ years experience in mechanical design of automation.
• Proficiency with Creo and Fanuc Roboguide required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and Copilot.
• Ability to work in a project team environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for automation across Kohler's manufacturing network.
• Support global strategy for automated solutions balancing safety, quality, delivery and cost.
• Participate in design reviews with plant teams to meet ACT requirements.
• Ensure equipment readiness prior to project kick-off.
• Develop business cases with financial justification for investments.
• Create/understand value stream maps and production schedules.
• Collaborate with suppliers on control requirements and design critiques.

Skills

Mechanical design

Creo (3D modeling)

Fanuc Roboguide

GD&T

AutoCAD

PLC basics

Ms365 Copilot

Project teamwork

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 Roboguiderequired.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and Copilot.
• Must be self-motivated and have the ability to functionwithin a project team environment.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

We believe in supporting you from the moment you join us, which is why Kohler offers day 1 benefits. This means you’ll have access to your applicable benefit programs from your first day on the job, with no waiting period.The salary range for this position is $103,900 - $160,000. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location. In addition, this position is eligible for a performance bonus/variable incentive compensation.

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 [e-mail]. Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.