Automation Engineer

About the role

Adient, a global leader in automotive seating, is hiring an Automation Engineer in Riverside, Missouri. The role provides plant-level strategic and technical leadership for automated manufacturing systems, owning automation standards, design governance, capital execution, launch readiness, performance improvement and lifecycle management. It acts as approval authority for new systems and major modifications, ensuring they are safe, standardized, maintainable, financially justified and ready for stable production.

Key responsibilities

• Define, maintain and enforce plant automation standards, design specifications, controls architecture, documentation and risk-mitigation protocols.
• Review and approve automation concepts, designs, software architectures, safety solutions, modifications and production launches.
• Lead automation capital projects: business cases, ROI, scope, vendor selection, bids, schedule and budget control, installation, commissioning and acceptance.
• Coordinate equipment suppliers, system integrators, maintenance, operations, IT/OT, quality and safety teams.
• Set launch-readiness criteria and verify equipment against safety, quality, cycle time, reliability, documentation, training and spare parts needs.
• Monitor cell performance with OEE, MTBF, downtime, throughput, quality and launch-stability metrics, and drive corrective actions.
• Own automation lifecycle governance and drive root-cause analysis, continuous improvement and replication of proven solutions.
• Keep up with emerging automation technologies and recommend practical applications.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, industrial, manufacturing, mechatronics, controls or a related engineering discipline.
• Seven or more years of progressive experience in manufacturing automation, controls engineering, systems integration or advanced manufacturing engineering.
• Demonstrated experience leading automation capital projects of $500,000 or more.
• Working knowledge of lean manufacturing, OEE improvement, structured problem solving, risk assessment and equipment-launch processes.
• Strong leadership, decision-making, communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Required skills

• Advanced understanding of Rockwell Automation ControlLogix and CompactLogix, RSLogix 5000 and Studio 5000; ability to review ladder logic, structured text and function block diagrams.
• Review of FactoryTalk View SE and ME applications and alarm strategies.
• FANUC robot programming and integration, including iRVision, Dual Check Safety and Roboguide simulation.
• Review of Keyence CV-X and Cognex In-Sight or VisionPro applications.
• EtherNet/IP, OT network segmentation, machine safety (ISO 12100) and industrial cybersecurity basics.
• Project tracking with Microsoft Project, layouts with AutoCAD or SolidWorks, and data visualization with Excel, Power BI or Tableau.
• PMP, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent certification preferred; OSHA 30-Hour and Rockwell/FANUC training preferred.