Distribution Automation Reliability Engineer

Who We Are McMaster-Carr is an innovative e-commerce company helping customers build and repair anything because we offer everything. We've thrived for 125 years through a relentless focus on customer experience, adaptability, and world-class operations. Curious, exceptional people are at the center of our evolution, turning new challenges and disruptive technologies into opportunities to learn, grow, and do work that makes customers' lives better.What You’ll DoIt is an exciting time at McMaster-Carr as we expand the use of automation in our distribution operations. Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), right-sized packaging technology, conveyors, and sortation equipment are just some of the technologies in the scope of this role.Our Central Engineering team is advancing projects that improve the reliability and performance of automation systems. Projects span material handling design, controls, software, analytics, process design and AI. You will help establish standards for new systems, improve systems already in operation, and solve complex technical problems in a high-up-time environment. The work spans equipment and process design, controls, software, and analytics. You will use operational data to spot trends and constraints, recommend changes that improve throughput and uptime, establish standards for new systems, and help solve complex problems in a high-uptime environment.Make an impact and grow your engineering skills through work such as:Identifying recurring conveyor and material-handling equipment faults, downtime patterns, and flow constraints; using root-cause analysis and performance data to prioritize improvements.Improving automated packaging technology by creating standards for physical alignment, controls configurations, and software parameters.Defining how automated equipment should respond to control faults and warnings in partnership with controls and software specialists.Enhancing the user experience of picking from totes to cartons in a goods-to-person system.Designing or improving the material flow that connects AS/RS, picking, packing, workstations, sortation, and downstream processes.Improving automated receiving through vision, identification, routing, induction, or put-away processes.Improving conveyor, sortation, mobile-robotics, or related material-handling systems to increase reliability, throughput, and equipment availability.Supporting equipment commissioning, startup, throughput validation, and the ramp-up of automation into day-to-day operations.Creating data elements and analytics that identify automation faults, downtime, and opportunities to improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE); exploring Al-enabled troubleshooting tools where useful.Evaluating alternatives, explaining technical and operational trade-offs, and recommending practical solutions with operations, maintenance, vendors, and engineering partners.Supporting complex system issues that extend beyond established operating and maintenance playbooks.BenefitsCash CompensationTotal cash compensation is generally around $185,000 to $230,000 and includes profit sharing based on company performance.Growth & Learning100% tuition reimbursementInformal and formal mentorshipEmployee resource groupsHealth & WellbeingMedical, dental, pharmacy, and vision plans with no monthly premiumsInclusive, all-gender benefitsFamily & FuturePaid parental leave for all new parentsAdoption and surrogacy assistanceFirst-time home buyer assistanceIndustry-leading company-funded retirement accountsTime OffPaid vacation and personal timeQualifications: 2+ years of professional experience in warehouse automation, including experience with AS/RS, automated receiving using vision systems, packaging technologies, shipping sorters, or palletizingBachelor’s degree in industrial and systems, mechanical, electrical, computer science engineering or equivalentKnowledge of hardware, controls, software, process design, analytics, and AI disciplines is preferredExperience in a fast-paced, high uptime, operational environmentProven experience managing multiple projects simultaneouslyExcellent communication skills and advanced project execution skillsStrong business and financial acumen paired with domain and technical expertiseDemonstrated ability to think strategically and roadmap, plan, and executeCommitment to personal, professional, and team growthAdditional InformationFor more information on McMaster-Carr, please visit: www.mcmaster.com/careersEqual Opportunity EmployerWe are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees a workplace with reasonable accommodation and free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. At McMaster-Carr, we do not make employment decisions based on age, ethnicity, citizenship status, military status, gender identity and expression, race, religion, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected group.This position is not eligible for work authorization sponsorship by McMaster-Carr.