Vision Automation Engineer
American Woodmark

American Woodmark is one of the nation's largest cabinet manufacturers. By partnering with major home centers, builders, and dealers, we spark the imagination of homeowners and designer and bring their vision to life. Across our service and distribution centers, our corporate office and manufacturing facilities, you'll always find the same commitment to customer satisfaction, integrity, teamwork, and excellence.



We are on a journey to encourage an inclusive Woodmark, and are taking meaningful actions to promote diverse representation across every part of the business. Together, every team member contributes to making American Woodmark a place where people can express who they are through what they do.



PURPOSE:

As a Manufacturing Automation Engineer with a focus on automated inspection, you will identify, develop, and execute projects to automate varied manufacturing processes. You will be our company’s subject matter expert on automated inspection and vision. You will be responsible for understanding operations’ requirements, applying the appropriate inspection technologies, and ensuring seamless integration to enhance operational efficiency and productivity. This person will work closely with external vendors to define requirements and have solutions developed that automate the inspection of our wood products.

This corporate position will work closely with multiple manufacturing facilities across the U.S. and Mexico to identify and implement areas where automation can improve efficiency and reduce costs. This position will develop, justify, execute, and deliver projects for our manufacturing plants as well as act in an advisory role on plant-led projects.



ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:


* Technology leadership


* Have a good understanding of available inspection technologies through experience, interaction with vendors, and external research to lead the organization in applying the right solutions to opportunities
* Integrate vision systems with existing and new automation equipment and manufacturing processes
* Conduct feasibility studies and proof-of-concept testing for new vision inspection technologies
* Client Engagement and Requirements Gathering:


* Collaborate closely with client plants to understand their automation needs and operational challenges.
* Conduct thorough assessments of existing systems and processes to identify areas for automation; including identifying process combination, process changes, etc.
* Project execution:


* Complete justification documents, obtain buy in from client sites
* Engage appropriate vendors through quoting and design processes
* Manage vendor performance, coordinate design reviews, installation needs, system testing and commissioning, providing on-site support and troubleshooting during the initial startup phase
* Manage projects to completion, leading/interacting with collaborative teams that might include Manufacturing, Materials, Quality, and other functions.
* Provide operations with training, documentation, maintenance and operations procedures to successfully operate equipment
* Continuous Improvement:


* Stay updated with industry trends and advancements in automation technologies.
* Recommend and implement enhancements to existing automation systems to optimize performance and efficiency.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.


* Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field such as robotics, automation, industrial, or manufacturing
* 5-7 years experience in developing and executing manufacturing automation projects with a focus on automated inspection
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to design processes to meet current and future needs
* Excellent communication skills to interact effectively with plants, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams.
* Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
* Project management skills to coordinate and oversee automation projects from inception to completion.



PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, knell, bend, twist, and walk. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to speak and communicate with other employees, be able to hear well enough to recognize warning signals, forklifts, and announcements. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 20 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds.





WORKING CONDITIONS:

Indoor office and manufacturing environments. The noise level is usually moderate to high and hearing protection may be required in manufacturing settings. Safety glasses are required. Varied schedules, travel, and weekend work required.



AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The American Woodmark Corporation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, military and veteran status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy, or any other legally-protected characteristic; and it will comply with all applicable state discrimination laws. No person will be denied employment solely because of a disability, provided that the person can perform the essential functions of the position for which the person has applied, either with or without reasonable accommodations.

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Disabled