Principal Automation Engineer

Position Overview:

The Principal Automation Engineer is a critical member of the Global Equipment Engineering team. The responsibilities of the role include conceptualizing, specifying, and designing automated assembly equipment for use in Insulet’s global manufacturing operations. Design for manufacturability, reliability, performance, and standardization of design platforms and manufacturing processes are essential. Anticipating and resolving bottlenecks to capacity, identifying and implementing continuous improvement for cost and waste reduction. The successful candidate will have strong structured problem-solving skills of complex component and machine interactions and be comfortable working hands-on with automation machinery. The candidate will work in a collaborative teaming environment and be responsible for working with peers, mentoring junior engineers, building suppliers and servicing internal customers. This is a challenging role, suitable for an energetic critical thinker who has solid technical, organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities:

• Contribute to plant and equipment architecture & plant layouts
• Develop equipment design specifications to communicate equipment performance requirements to outside vendors, typically in formal URS & FRS documents
• Develop and implement design improvements to equipment for reliability and waste reduction
• Develop and implement assembly process control to stabilize and sustain equipment reliability
• Optimize and document process settings for critical product assembly operations
• Provide input and support for technology transfer and equipment design reviews
• Accountable for driving process improvements in support of Insulet’s primary manufacturing objectives: Best Quality, Best Service, Best Cost
• Autonomously interpret data to drive decision making and prioritization of engineering projects
• Collaborate with internal and external resources to plan and implement design improvement projects
• Develop and deliver training to build the capability of the global equipment engineering team as part of continuous improvement efforts.
• Independently maintain and publish operating scorecards to track and trend projects/improvements.
• Ensure compliance with internal safety rules, quality policies, and employee guidelines
• Maintain a GMP compliant environment and operate within FDA guidelines for 21CFR820 manufacturing.
• Manage IQ, OQ, FAT, SAT and PQ efforts for new assembly and packaging technologies and/or transferring technologies to new factory sites. 
• Perform other duties as required

Preferred Skills and Competencies:

• Technical mastery in mechanical engineering of assembly technologies and packaging is preferred
  • Hands-on mechanical aptitude and Machine Design including pneumatics, linkage design, mechatronics, robotics, and drive systems.
  • Process Technologies: ultrasonic welding, heat transfer decoration, hot stamping, laser welding, laser decoration.
  • In depth component manufacturing knowledge and experience including stamping, swaging, spring design, and injection molding
• In depth experience specifying, selecting, manufacturing acceptance, installation, startup, commission, and validation of fully automated and advanced discrete component assembly and/or packaging
• Sound mechanical skill set incorporating machine design Projects with strong mechanical aptitude is required. 

• Demonstrated ability to understand user requirements of complex products, translate these into a complete conceptualized automated value stream solution; Creates and coordinate design solutions for novel or complex problems; integrate regulatory and operational needs, and assess cost benefit
• Ability to critically review engineering designs and ensure adherence to company design and development guidelines and SOPs.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and successfully lead teams and vendors to achieve exceptional results
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; engage and energize others to reach their fullest potential and performance.  This can include, but is not limited to improving business process systems, developing training aids and SOPs, and providing feedback
• knowledge and experience with post-implementation continuous improvement efforts and methodology is beneficial.
• Good problem-solving skills; ability to respond to barriers, problems, and challenges, internally and externally, to find executable solutions
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, and rigorous process discipline
• Effectively deal with conflict and openly communicate and lead team members to successful resolution
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively while leading others in a teaming environment across multiple geographical locations and across various functional areas and roles.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. 
• Demonstrated understanding of machine and process safety regulations (domestic and international standards: DIN, ASME, ISO, CE, UL, SCCR & NFPA-70E&79)
• Knowledge of control hardware and software is a plus
• Knowledge of statistics and statistical software is a plus

Behavioral Competencies:

• A thirst for knowledge and intense curiosity is a must
• Decision Making – has a systematic and methodical approach to making decisions, seeks out and explores relevant information, thinks creatively beyond the immediate problem, assimilates facts quickly, challenges assumptions, and considers business implications of potential solutions
• Communication Skills – Conveys information effectively, actively listens, resolves conflict constructively
• Work Organization – Takes a structured, economical approach to resources including time, people, money, and equipment
• Problem Solving – Uses a systematic, methodical approach to gather facts, define problems, generate, and implement solutions.
• Challenges assumptions
• Initiative – Makes decisions and takes actions appropriately.  Willing to take risks as circumstances require
• Planning Skills – Sets goals and priorities, thinks ahead, and identifies activities and resources needed to achieve goals
• Perseverance – Achieves objectives by overcoming difficulties through tenacity and resilience

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• 15+ years of design and hands-on experience working directly on automated manufacturing equipment

• Familiarity working within GMP guidelines and ISO 13485/21FDA820 regulations
• Experience working in a regulated industry, in particular consumable products
• Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field is a plus

Physical Requirements:       

• Travel 30% max
• Required to occasionally work in an ISO 8 Cleanroom environment on the manufacturing floor
• Required to stand on the floor and reach above shoulder and below waist occasionally
• Ability to lift up to 35lbs occasionally

NOTE: This position requires on-site working (requires on-site office/plant/lab work). #LI-Onsite

Additional Information:

Compensation & Benefits: For U.S.-based positions only, the annual base salary range for this role is $160,000.00 - $239,950.00 This position may also be eligible for incentive compensation. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including: • Medical, dental, and vision insurance • 401(k) with company match • Paid time off (PTO) • And additional employee wellness programs Application Details: This job posting will remain open until the position is filled. To apply, please visit the Insulet Careers site and submit your application online. Actual pay depends on skills, experience, and education.