Lead Automation Engineer

About the Company The Mobility division develops solutions supporting manufacturing operations and is expanding its use of automation to improve manufacturing efficiency. The organization supports multiple manufacturing sites across North America and is focused on implementing automation projects, improving existing operations, and sharing manufacturing best practices across facilities. The Mobility Group has announced its planned separation into an independent, publicly traded company, with the separation expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2027. Compensation and benefits initially offered for this position are based on current plans, programs, and practices, with additional details to be provided by the new company after the spinoff closes. About the Role The Lead Automation Engineer will lead efforts to improve manufacturing efficiency through the implementation of automation projects. The role supports more than five U.S. manufacturing locations and combines automation engineering, project management, supplier management, capital planning, manufacturing process improvement, and technical troubleshooting. This is a remote position with significant travel. The engineer will identify automation opportunities, develop project scopes and financial justifications, coordinate equipment and tooling procurement, and provide controls and robotic programming support across manufacturing facilities. Key Responsibilities • Identify automation opportunities across the North American region. • Develop scopes of work for automation projects. • Establish a reliable automation supplier base and obtain proposals for identified opportunities. • Prepare financial justifications for automation projects. • Develop Capital Appropriation Requests (CAR) and work with Finance and regional leadership to obtain approvals. • Manage capital and expense spending for assigned projects. • Procure equipment and tooling according to project plans and standards. • Investigate, analyze, and recommend new or alternative equipment and manufacturing methods. • Identify and coordinate best-practice implementation across multiple facilities. • Recommend and implement improvements to manufacturing operations, equipment, and procedures. • Provide troubleshooting support for existing automation, including controls and robotic programming. • Attend trade shows and seminars to stay current with automation technologies. • Define specifications for automation of manufacturing operations. • Manage suppliers to support on-time project execution. • Define, track, and report project status. • Work effectively with all levels of management and cross-functional teams. • Identify and define safety improvements across manufacturing processes. Required Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in Engineering and/or Engineering Technology from an accredited institution. • At least 3 years of experience automating manufacturing processes. • Strong understanding of automation of manufacturing operations. • Ability to define automation specifications and manage project requirements. • Supplier management experience supporting on-time project execution. • Project management skills, including defining, tracking, and reporting project status. • Ability to work effectively with all levels of management. • Willingness to travel 50%–75% across the U.S. • Must reside in MI, OH, IL, IN, SC, NC, GA, TN, or Kentucky. • Eaton will not provide employment immigration sponsorship or support for this position, including CPT, OPT, STEM OPT, F-1 to H-1B, H-1B cap registration, O-1, E-3, TN status, I-485 job portability, or similar immigration support. Preferred Qualifications • 5 years of experience in Manufacturing Engineering. • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. • Familiarity with manufacturing processes such as forging, machining, grinding, and assembly. • Experience writing and debugging PLC ladder logic. • Experience programming HMIs (Human Machine Interfaces). • Experience developing and implementing robot programs. • Bilingual Spanish skills. Compensation • Annual salary range: $97,000–$143,000. • Actual compensation is based on candidate skills, experience, qualifications, market considerations, and business considerations. • Benefits include Health and Welfare benefits, Retirement benefits, and programs providing paid and unpaid time away from work. • Specific benefit programs and options may depend on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and applicable collective bargaining agreements. Work Arrangement • Remote position with support for more than five U.S. manufacturing locations. • Candidates must live in MI, OH, IL, IN, SC, NC, GA, TN, or Kentucky. • Travel is expected at 50%–75% across the United States. Equal Employment Opportunity • Employment decisions are based on job-related reasons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. • Candidates will be evaluated based on job-related competencies. • Reasonable accommodation is available for applicants with disabilities during the job search, application, or interview process. • Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction histories will be considered consistent with applicable fair-chance laws and ordinances.