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Saronic Technologies is developing autonomous surface vessels for maritime defense. This Manufacturing Automation Engineer role is the primary technical owner for automation projects across Port Alpha's shipyard production—from plate cutting and profiling through robotic welding, block assembly, blast and paint, outfitting, material handling, and test—with accountability from concept through production launch and handoff to sustaining engineering.
You will identify manufacturing operations suitable for automation based on safety, quality, throughput, ergonomics, and cost. You'll develop automation roadmaps and business cases to support production scaling, evaluate automation technologies (robotics, machine vision, PLCs, automated assembly, material handling systems), and lead feasibility studies, cycle time analysis, and ROI assessments. You'll partner with Design Engineering during product development to ensure vessels are designed for manufacturability and automation (DFMA/DFA), providing feedback on tolerances, joining methods, part presentation, fixturing, assembly sequence, and inspection requirements.
You own automation projects end-to-end: defining equipment specifications, statements of work, acceptance criteria, and validation plans for integrators and vendors. You manage automation suppliers and system integrators through design, build, FAT, SAT, installation, and startup. You coordinate equipment integration with facility infrastructure, MES systems, quality systems, and production controls, and develop and execute process validation plans, capability studies, and production readiness reviews.
During production launch, you support pilot builds, process debugging, and ramp-to-rate activities. You establish documentation packages (work instructions, PM requirements, spare parts lists, control plans, troubleshooting guides) and train Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, and Asset Reliability teams on system functionality and maintenance. Once production stabilizes, you transition ownership to Manufacturing Engineering for sustaining support.
You drive continuous improvement in OEE, yield, uptime, cycle time, and labor efficiency through automation initiatives. You standardize automation design practices, controls architecture, and equipment specifications across production lines and with Saronic's other manufacturing sites. You support root cause investigations and corrective actions related to automated systems during launch phases and stay current with emerging manufacturing automation technologies and shipbuilding-specific automation best practices.
The role sits within Shipyard Optimization (Robotics & Autonomous Build) and works closely with Saronic's central automation and software teams to ensure Port Alpha's automation architecture, controls standards, and MES integration align with company-wide approaches while fitting the realities of large-structure steel shipbuilding.
REQUIREMENTS
Required:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or related field
- 5+ years of experience in manufacturing automation, process engineering, or production equipment development
- Experience implementing automated manufacturing systems in high-volume, heavy fabrication, or advanced manufacturing environments
- Strong understanding of industrial automation systems including robotics, PLCs, HMIs, sensors, pneumatics, servo systems, and machine vision
- Experience with manufacturing process development, PFMEA, validation methodologies, and production launch activities
- Ability to interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, and process flow documentation
- Experience managing external automation vendors and integrators
- Strong project management and cross-functional communication skills
Preferred:
- Experience with robotic welding, automated panel lines, plate cutting and profiling, or other large-structure automation in shipbuilding or heavy fabrication
- Experience with automated assembly, test automation, or robotic material handling systems
- Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and statistical process control methodologies
- Experience with controls programming, robot programming, or industrial networking
- Knowledge of MES integration, traceability systems, and smart factory/Industry 4.0 concepts
- Experience in shipbuilding, aerospace, automotive, robotics, electronics, or advanced manufacturing industries
- PMP, Lean Six Sigma, or automation-related certifications
