Senior Automation Project (Process) Engineer – 5668
Lead a $30M Automation Expansion | Mount Juliet, TN
Tier4 Group is hiring a Senior Automation Project/Process Engineer to lead large-scale automation initiatives within a highly automated, technology-driven operation. This role combines automation engineering, project leadership, equipment launches, process improvement, and cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced environment.
This is an outstanding opportunity for an engineer who enjoys bringing new equipment and automation systems online, coordinating complex projects, leading stakeholders, and driving operational improvements.
If you're looking for a role with significant visibility, exposure to cutting-edge automation, and the chance to help shape the future of a growing operation, we'd like to hear from you.
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
Over the next 12-24 months, you will play a key role in:
- Supporting a $30M automation expansion
- Launching four new automated production lines
- Implementing 72+ pieces of new equipment
- Driving major capital and operational improvement projects
- Collaborating with automation, engineering, operations, quality, and leadership teams
- Supporting future automated material handling and warehouse automation initiatives
This is a highly visible position where you'll work directly with senior leadership while helping execute some of the largest automation projects within the organization.
What You'll Do
Lead Automation & Capital Projects
- Manage automation equipment launches from planning through implementation and stabilization
- Coordinate installation, startup, testing, validation, and optimization of new automation systems
- Lead multiple projects simultaneously while ensuring timelines, deliverables, and milestones are achieved
- Work closely with engineering teams, vendors, operations, maintenance, and quality teams
- Assist with future automation and material handling initiatives, including large-scale equipment deployments
Drive Project Execution
- Create and maintain project schedules, action plans, and status reports
- Lead recurring project meetings and ensure accountability across stakeholders
- Coordinate resources, vendors, and internal teams to ensure successful project execution
- Identify risks, resolve roadblocks, and drive projects to completion
- Present project updates and progress reports to management and leadership teams
Support Process Improvement
- Identify opportunities to improve throughput, efficiency, equipment utilization, and workflow
- Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
- Improve process consistency through documentation and standardized work practices
- Analyze operational performance and recommend improvements
Troubleshooting & Problem Solving
- Support equipment launches, startup activities, and production ramp-up efforts
- Participate in root cause analysis and corrective action activities
- Troubleshoot process and equipment-related issues during project implementation
- Work cross-functionally to resolve operational challenges and improve system performance
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Partner closely with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Automation, Supply Chain, Engineering, and external vendors
- Facilitate communication between technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Lead project discussions involving multiple departments and leadership teams
- Help align business goals with engineering initiatives
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Or a related Engineering discipline
- 3+ years of engineering experience in one or more of the following environments:
- Automated manufacturing
- Distribution centers
- Warehousing and fulfillment operations
- Logistics operations
- Material handling environments
- Experience supporting automated equipment and systems
- Experience leading projects, equipment installations, system upgrades, launches, or capital improvements
- Strong organizational and project coordination skills
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Preferred Qualifications
- Mechanical Engineering background
- Experience with:
- Conveyors
- Sortation systems
- Automated material handling equipment
- Robotics
- Vision systems
- Warehouse automation technologies
- ASRS (Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems)
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
- Experience using project management tools such as:
- Smartsheet
- Microsoft Project
- Jira
- Monday.com
- Similar project tracking systems
- Experience supporting capital projects in manufacturing, distribution, logistics, or automation environments