Automation Engineer Jobs in Iowa

Job Description:

Summary

This Warehouse Automation Engineering position can be responsible for the effort in identifying, evaluating, piloting and deploying new warehouse automation technologies, followed by the installation and deployment of new and optimization of warehouse automation technologies. This dedicated teams and capability differentiates Ryder by driving efficiencies to grow existing and win new business. This position will require a breadth of knowledge across many business types and automation technologies. Work directly with internal operations, solution design, continuous improvement, information technology, product teams and stakeholders to identify, select, and deploy new technology with automation partners. Consult with internal and external contacts to quickly demonstrate the value and feasibility of warehouse automation capabilities to create a competitive differentiator. Work directly with the customer and business owners to identify new ideas and collaborate across verticals, regions, and functional areas to evaluate, pilot, develop and implement warehouse automation solutions.

Essential Functions

• RFP and New Business Support:
• Lead minor RFP project and support lead engineer on major RFP projects by leading automation selection and validation on new business sale projects by identifying potential automation technologies.
• Build ROI and justification based upon multiple criteria in order to select the optimal solution design.

• Support build of presentation with Lead Automation Solutions Engineer.

• SOW (Scope of Work) Contractual Validation:

• Support automation project lead on identifying gaps in vendor FSD/SOW using the FSD Checklist process.

• Design Validation:

• Provide input on automation solution designs to ensure that key items are considered for implementation and ongoing operational performance.

• Review design options for clearance issues, power requirements, cost effectiveness and SLA targets.

• Automation Procurement:

• Help lead build collateral for vendor tech review request and requests for quotes.

• Review design options for various vendors and solutions.

• Implementation Project Management:

• Some Project Management of smaller projects, including updating of Punch List, Project Plan.

• Track milestones and requirements for implementation of projects.

• Implementation Support:

• Attend implementation status calls when needed.
• Verify and prioritize optimal on-site support is utilized on all projects.
• Ensure communication to vendor and on-site staff and handle escalation events.
• Coordinate support for onsite team for post-go live hypercare.
• Support on-site Solution Acceptance Test (SAT) testing plan.

• Support tracking of Punch List after go-live for Uptime items.

• Data Analytics:

• Profile data from dashboard and systems to support system optimization projects.

• Perform data analysis on reports technology controls systems and WMS/WES.

• Implementation Commissioning and Solution Validation:

• Support Solutions Acceptance Testing (SAT) testing plan.

• Support tracking of Punch List.

• Strategy and Success Measurements:

• Review team strategy with manager to set personal goals.

• Financial Responsibilities:

• Validate spend with manager.

• Support Project Leads on tracking project budget.

• Automation Troubleshooting:

• Partner with vendor to resolve Priority 1-5 tickets related to down/degraded performance with site automation.
• Join on P1/P1 Resolutions calls.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support vendor communication for minor projects.
• Develops pilot activities and the hypothesis to be tested. Defines the proof of concept, formalizes the team, identifies a pilot location, obtains approvals, evaluates vendors and determines a pilot timeline. Deploys acceptable pilots to quickly evaluate business fit & operational feasibility. These results will help feed the solution design team to include proven technologies into new business proposals. Evaluate, pilot and deploy new warehouse automation technologies.
• Validation of new technology and automation will be supported by this role through Proof of Concept implementations. These POC implementations will be driven by the automation team, as they will also coordinate the value-justification of the project with Senior Management and the cross-functional team involved.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities

• Driven to help organizations innovate with new warehouse automation capabilities or technologies.
• Strong planning, time management, collaboration, decision making, organization and presentation skills.
• High degree of comfort and ease with ambiguity and uncertainty.
• Ability to create and maintain professional relationships within all levels of the organization (peers, work groups, customers, supervisors).
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Passion for understanding clients and internal customer's vision and business goals.
• Ability to champion ambiguous scenarios and challenges.
• Natural sense of leadership and ownership - in research, pilot and thought leadership activity.
• Problem-solver, curious, hands-on mentality.
• Act as a change agent in adopting warehouse automation technologies to deliver significant operational improvement across the organization and to coach business owners and functional leads in the deployment of these new technologies.
• Demonstrated success in assessing, developing and deploying new offerings or incremental enhancement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related field of study.
• Master's Degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related field of study, Preferred.
• 3 years or more experience in warehouse automation, material handling technologies, industrial engineering or warehouse systems integration, Preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in warehouse automation, Preferred.
• Experience in warehouse automation that may would preferable include some of the following, sortation conveyor, goods-to-person, autonomous vehicles/robots, ASRS’s.
• Automation, Management Consulting, Physical & Process Robotic experience, Beginner.
• Knowledge of Warehouse Management operations, data analytics, Industrial Engineering, warehouse types (ambient, temp control) and Lean methods, Beginner.
• Knowledge of all available material handling equipment and automation types such as: forklift applications, racking designs, packaging devices and automation design, Intermediate.
• Warehouse Design Tools i.e.; CAD, slotting, MOST, simulation, WMS, Labor Mgt. Network Design Tools a plus (e.g., Llamasoft). Data Visualization Software (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) a plus, Beginner.
• Industrial or Mechanical Engineering or with equivalent warehouse operational knowledge, Beginner.
• Experienced in financial business case analysis to help support targeted return on investment, Intermediate, Preferred.

Travel

• Yes, 30-40%.

Job Category: Engineering

Our Culture & Commitment:

At Ryder, you’re trusted to make an impact—while enjoying room to grow and having a voice that’s heard. Our culture is built on respect, collaboration, and shared pride in doing great work rooted in innovation and safety.

Your Voice. Your Success. The Future We Build Together.

Compensation Information:

The compensation offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the candidate’s relevant experience; education, including relevant degrees or certifications; work location; market data/ranges; internal equity; internal salary ranges; etc. The position may also be eligible to receive an annual bonus, commission, and/or long-term incentive plan based on the level and/or type. Compensation ranges for the position are below:

Pay Type:

Salaried

Minimum Pay Range:

100000

Maximum Pay Range:

115000

Benefits Information:

For all Full-time positions only: Ryder offers comprehensive health and welfare benefits, to include medical, prescription, dental, vision, life insurance and disability insurance options, as well as paid time off for vacation, illness, bereavement, family and parental leave, and a tax-advantaged 401(k) retirement savings plan.

Ryder is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug Free workplace.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

Important Note:

Some positions require additional screening that may include employment and education verification; motor vehicle records check and a road test; and/or badging or background requirements of the customer to which you are assigned.

Security Notice for Applicants:

Ryder will only communicate with an applicant directly from a [@ryder.com] email address and will never conduct an interview online through a chat type forum, messaging app (such as WhatsApp or Telegram), or via an online questionnaire. During an interview, Ryder will never ask for any form of payment or banking details and will never solicit personal information outside of the formal submitted application through www.ryder.com/careers.

Should you have any questions regarding the application process or to verify the legitimacy of an interview or Ryder representative, please contact Ryder at careers@ryder.com.

Current Employees:

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