Staff Engineer, Manufacturing Automation - (req73595)

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. seeks a Staff Manufacturing Engineer – Automation to lead design and deployment of advanced automation across Kohler's global manufacturing network.

You will partner with plant teams, engineering leaders, and suppliers to build smarter manufacturing systems and ensure readiness from concept through implementation. Requirements include a mechanical engineering degree, 8+ years in automation design, and proficiency with Creo and Fanuc Roboguide.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field is required.
• 8+ years of experience in mechanical design of automation.
• Proficiency with Creo (3D modeling) and Fanuc Roboguide is required.
• Experience with AutoCAD and GD&T concepts is beneficial.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and Copilot is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and deployment of advanced automation solutions across Kohler's manufacturing network.
• Provide technical leadership from concept through implementation.
• Ensure automation readiness prior to project kick-off and align with long-term strategy.
• Develop business cases and financial justifications for automation investments.
• Collaborate with plant operations engineering teams and suppliers.
• Stay up-to-date on automation methods and tools.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

Creo

AutoCAD

Fanuc Roboguide

Microsoft 365

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.