Job Title: Industrial Automation Engineer
Job Description
We are seeking an Industrial Automation Engineer to join the Autonomous Manufacturing & Deployment (AMD) organization and support the planning, development, and deployment of automation solutions that improve material flow, labor efficiency, safety, and overall operational performance within a high-volume assembly manufacturing environment. In this role, you work closely with operations, engineering, materials, logistics, and automation teams to evaluate current processes, identify improvement opportunities, develop automation concepts, and support successful implementation through launch and stabilization. You combine strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with practical experience in manufacturing operations and automation initiatives, with a focus on front-end analysis, material flow optimization, and solution development while remaining involved throughout implementation and execution.
Responsibilities
Support facility, process, and material flow planning activities associated with manufacturing automation projects.
Develop and review layouts, route concepts, operational requirements, and material delivery strategies to optimize manufacturing operations.
Participate in simulation, modeling, and analysis activities to evaluate automation solutions and assess operational performance.
Determine operational requirements, including throughput targets, staffing impacts, fleet sizing, route capacities, and system utilization.
Partner with internal engineering teams and suppliers to develop practical, scalable automation and material handling solutions.
Support implementation, commissioning, startup, and stabilization activities for automation systems and material handling technologies.
Collaborate with deployment engineers, controls engineers, suppliers, and plant personnel during project execution to ensure successful launch.
Assist with troubleshooting material flow, process integration, and system performance issues during launch activities.
Validate operational performance of deployed systems and identify opportunities to improve system effectiveness and reliability.
Support achievement of project timing, safety, quality, and operational objectives throughout the project lifecycle.
Work closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, materials, logistics, supply chain, safety, IT, and external suppliers to align on goals and solutions.
Facilitate discussions and workshops to align stakeholders on future-state processes and automation strategies.
Communicate project progress, recommendations, risks, and improvement opportunities to project teams and leadership.
Support supplier evaluations, solution reviews, and implementation activities to ensure alignment with operational requirements.
Develop and maintain project documentation, process documentation, implementation plans, training materials, and operational work instructions as required.
Capture lessons learned and support continuous improvement of automation standards, methodologies, and deployment processes.
Share best practices and support knowledge transfer across project teams to strengthen organizational capabilities.
Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement by identifying and driving enhancements in automation and material flow systems.
Essential Skills
Bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Robotics, or a related technical field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience in industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, automation engineering, material flow engineering, logistics engineering, or a related technical discipline.
Experience conducting labor, productivity, process, staffing, work-measurement, or operational-planning analyses.
Experience analyzing material flow, inventory management, logistics optimization, line-side delivery strategies, replenishment systems, or PFEP methodologies.
Experience developing future-state manufacturing processes, automation concepts, or operational improvement initiatives.
Experience supporting automation implementation, commissioning, startup, stabilization, or continuous-improvement activities in a manufacturing environment.
Ability to develop or review layouts, facility plans, route concepts, operational requirements, and material delivery strategies.
Ability to analyze operational requirements, including throughput targets, staffing impacts, fleet sizing, route capacities, and system utilization.
Experience preparing or supporting feasibility studies, business cases, cost-benefit analyses, ROI models, or project justifications.
Experience using data analysis and reporting tools to support operational decision-making.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with operations, maintenance, engineering, supply chain, materials, logistics, and equipment suppliers.
Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose complex operational and automation issues.
Strong communication skills, including the ability to present findings and recommendations to cross-functional teams and leadership.
Strong organization and project-execution skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a dynamic environment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience in planning and engineering within industrial or manufacturing environments.
Experience working with advanced material handling and autonomous systems such as AMR and AGV equipment.
Familiarity with simulation and modeling tools used to evaluate automation solutions and material flow.
Exposure to continuous improvement methodologies in manufacturing and logistics settings.
Ability to create clear training materials and operational work instructions for plant personnel.
Comfort facilitating workshops and stakeholder alignment sessions focused on future-state process design and automation strategies.
Work Environment
This role is primarily based on a plant floor manufacturing environment, where you engage directly with production operations, material handling systems, and automation technologies. You work closely with cross-functional teams including operations, maintenance, engineering, materials, logistics, supply chain, safety, IT, and external equipment suppliers in a fast-paced, high-volume setting. The environment offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge autonomous mobile robot (AMR) and automated guided vehicle (AGV) equipment and advanced material handling technologies. You can expect a hands-on atmosphere that requires regular presence on the shop floor, collaboration with plant personnel during commissioning and startup activities, and participation in workshops and project reviews focused on improving safety, efficiency, and operational performance.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Lake Orion, MI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $65.00/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Lake Orion, MI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 11, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Lake Orion,MI.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
