As the Principal Engineer - Automation, you will be responsible for leading the architecture and development of automation solutions for warehouse material management. You will provide expert level guidance to engineers and lead complex integration, development and deployment of commercially available fulfillment automation systems that are designed to interact with other automation, such as robotics, and people that help facilitate material movement and handling. You will be a key contributor to the creation and communication of the Global Automation Roadmap and lead the execution of automation and robotic designs and implementation.
Responsibilities:
- In collaboration with an interdisciplinary team, executes product designs from concept to production including specification, design, validation and testing
- Ensure a smooth product launch in collaboration with the Operations, Lean, Safety and Quality organizations. as well as vendors and integrators to deliver automation solutions
- Benchmark performance of third party and internally derived automation systems against specifications and choose pragmatic solutions with long development and predictable timelines to implement on future efforts
- Create guidelines for and collaborate with engineering and operations teams to set the bar for design for automation for warehouse material handling processes; define scope of work and description of operation
- Review and interpret customers’ project specifications manage budget, schedule, and scope of design
- Participate in simulation/emulation as needed; design and implement automation systems in operational environments
- Collaborate with the Financial Analyst to evaluate automation systems through cost analysis and capital expenditure requests to justify automation projects
- Educate members of technology deployment and plant floor operation on the most complex automation system architecture, usability, and functionality
- Exhibit role model behaviors of thorough engineering analysis and cradle to grave ownership; provide expert level guidance to other automation engineers
- Lead the design and adaptation of holistic hardware solutions for ambiguous problems with fluid requirements
Qualifications:
- Bachelors Degree – Electronic Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Robotics Engineering or similar field required; Masters Degree preferred
- Licenses/Certificates/Designations – Certified Automation Professional (CAP) or Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Lean Six Sigma
- 10 years experience developing, integrating and deploying mechatronic and robotic systems; and exposure in Distribution Centers’ Automation and Digitization
- 5 years CAD/CAM experience and understanding of best practices for part design, advanced assemblies, complex configuration management
- 5 years hands on experience crafting proof-of-concept models and prototypes
- Expert level organizational skills and the ability to work well with teams
- Ability to effectively communicate concepts and write technical documents
- Desire and energy to work in a fast-paced agile environment
- Project management experience with full lifecycle and proficiency at completing tasks to meet associated milestones
- Experience evaluating design, performance and logistical tradeoffs for hardware systems
- Ability to travel 25% - 50%
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About UsThis amount is what we reasonably believe we will pay for the position; however, offer amounts may vary based on factors such as geographic location, relevant education, experience, qualifications, skills, shift, or any collective bargaining agreements.In addition, Wesco offers a benefits program for eligible employees, which may include paid time off, medical, dental, and vision coverage, and retirement savings plans. Additional details about benefits are available here.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Electronic Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or a similar field
- Certified Automation Professional, Project Management Professional, or Certified Lean Six Sigma designation
- 10 years of experience developing, integrating, and deploying mechatronic and robotic systems
- Experience with distribution center automation and digitization
- 5 years of CAD/CAM experience, including part design, advanced assemblies, and configuration management
- 5 years of hands-on experience creating proof-of-concept models and prototypes
- Expert organizational skills and ability to work effectively with teams
- Ability to communicate concepts effectively and write technical documents
- Project management experience across the full lifecycle and ability to complete milestone-based tasks
- Experience evaluating design, performance, and logistical tradeoffs for hardware systems
- Ability to travel 25%–50%
- Master's degree
WESCO International Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about WESCO International and has not been reviewed or approved by WESCO International.
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Retirement Support — Feedback suggests the 401(k) with company match is a relative strong point and is consistently part of the package. Retirement offerings are frequently cited as a solid element within the total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Feedback suggests PTO policies are favorable, including self‑managed or generous banks in some roles along with paid holidays. Paid parental leave and related time‑off options add to the perceived strength of leave benefits.
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Flexible Benefits — Feedback suggests employees have meaningful choice through medical plan options with HSA/FSA alongside ancillary programs like EAP, discounts, and supplemental coverages. The breadth of selectable add‑ons supports tailoring benefits to individual needs.
WESCO International Insights
What We Do
At Wesco, we believe life should run smoothly. As a leading provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions, we create a world that you can depend on. Harnessing 100 years of ingenuity and expertise, we increase profitability, improve productivity and mitigate risk for approximately 150,000 customers worldwide. With nearly 1.5 million products and locations in more than 50 countries, Wesco is your partner in progress. Our company’s greatest asset is our people. From our corporate and field offices to our distribution sites, Wesco employs over 20,000 professionals around the globe. We’re committed to fostering diversity and inclusion across our workforce by embracing the unique perspectives, authenticity, and individuality our team members contribute to the company. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Wesco is a publicly traded (NYSE: WCC) FORTUNE 500® company with 2022 net sales of $21.4 billion.
