Automation Engineer Jobs in Joliet, IL (NOW HIRING)

The Automation Engineer will focus on developing and supporting automation concepts for HSIO Overpass cable solutions. The role will provide technical recommendations to improve product design for automation, support customers as they develop automated systems for Overpass cable installation and help scale manufacturing processes from prototype and pilot builds to production.

This position requires a strong understanding of manufacturing automation, mechanical systems, tooling, fixtures, product handling, process validation, and cross-functional engineering execution. The successful candidate will be hands‑on, technically strong, and comfortable working directly with customers and manufacturing teams.

• Be liaison between development engineering and operations
• Conduct design-for-automation reviews for Overpass cable and interconnect products.
• Identify opportunities and constraints for automated assembly, installation, inspection, and test during product development.
• Recommend design changes to improve automation compatibility, repeatability, handling/orientation, and process robustness including introduction of emerging technologies
• Participate in DFx reviews (DFM/DFT), FMEAs, and manufacturing-readiness assessments; document automation-related risks and mitigations.
• Define and help standardize design guidelines and best practices for automated Overpass cable installation.
• Support customers developing automated or semi-automated systems for Overpass cable installation into platforms.
• Provide technical input on cable presentation, pick-and-place concepts, routing/insertion strategy, retention, force control, and vision inspection/verification.
• Collaborate with customer engineering teams to review system-level constraints and recommend automation-compatible installation approaches.
• Support fixture concepts, tooling requirements, cable handling methods, and process-flow recommendations for customer and internal use.
• Support customer trials, proof-of-concept builds, and validation activities; troubleshoot automation-related installation issues and drive corrective actions.
• Define equipment, tooling, fixture, and process requirements to scale manufacturing from prototype/pilot to high-volume production.
• Prepare automation equipment and tooling specifications for handling, routing, assembly, inspection, and test processes.
• Support installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, validation, and ramp-up of automation systems at manufacturing sites as needed.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, work instructions, training materials, and validation plans for automated or semi-automated processes.
• Collaborate cross-functionally (product development, NPI, process, quality, operations, suppliers) to communicate risks/constraints and ensure automation solutions are safe, maintainable, scalable, and manufacturable.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Automation Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in automation engineering, manufacturing engineering, process engineering, equipment engineering, or related technical role.
• Experience with automated or semi-automated manufacturing processes.
• Strong understanding of Design for Manufacturability and Design for Automation principles.
• Experience reviewing product designs and providing recommendations to improve manufacturability, automation compatibility, and scalability.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, control diagrams, and product documentation.
• Familiarity with mechanical systems, fixtures, tooling, sensors, pneumatics, actuators, and motion-control systems.
• Experience with robotics, PLCs, vision systems, HMI/SCADA systems, barcode readers, or industrial automation platforms preferred.
• Experience supporting equipment installation, commissioning, validation, troubleshooting, or production ramp preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to identify root cause and recommend practical corrective actions.
• Strong communication skills with ability to work directly with internal teams, customers, and suppliers.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, cross-functional engineering environment.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally to support customers, suppliers, and manufacturing sites.

• Experience supporting automation strategy for high-speed cable, connector or interconnect products.
• Experience scaling automation from prototype or pilot production into global manufacturing.
• Experience with rapid deployment environments requiring fast‑turn design, tooling, validation and manufacturing readiness.
• Experience building automation roadmaps tied to capacity, labor efficiency, yield improvement, quality and customer program timing.
• Experience managing or mentoring automation engineers, process engineers, technicians or equipment‑development teams.

• Ability to identify automation risks early in the product design phase.
• Practical understanding of how product design choices affect automated handling, installation, inspection, and scale‑up.
• Strong customer‑facing technical capability.
• Hands‑on problem‑solving approach during builds, trials, and production ramp.
• Ability to translate automation concepts into clear product, tooling, and process recommendations.
• Strong collaboration across product engineering, manufacturing, customers, and suppliers.

Amphenol is an “Equal Opportunity Employer” - Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin