Automation Engineer

This role is onsite and based at our Bardstown, Kentucky location.

The Automation Engineer will lead engineering initiatives for automation and engineering in the plant to help drive overall plant cost performance. Provide project management and technical leadership from conception through deployment of projects, processes, and procedures to effectively deliver automation/engineering projects in operations. This position will support Manufacturing Operations, New Product Design Engineering, Marketing, and Sales in the development and implementation of new products and processes.

• Design, deployment, and maintenance of automation to improve quality, reduce operating costs, increase yield, and reduce downtime.
• Confer with Marketing, Quality, and Manufacturing teams to determine engineering feasibility, cost effectiveness, and prioritization of automation/Engineering projects.
• Perform project management activities for plant automation projects, including new product development and major replacement, refurbishment, and integration opportunities with existing equipment.
• Research new technology to support automation strategies and monitor industry trends including automation and vision systems.
• Select and grow relationships with equipment and third‑party integrator vendors.
• Develop and deploy technical standards, training, operating procedures, and maintenance programs for automation and vision systems.
• Interface with hourly technical personnel to optimize processes and improve skills.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Project delivery metrics – on‑time, budget, scope, safety
• Training metrics
• Operating costs / labor reduction
• Employee safety associated with automation and new processes.
• Line speed and downtime.
• Defects detection and automation, vision downtime.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Automation Engineering or related field of study including Mechanical, Industrial, Materials, or related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in an engineering role.
• Ability to direct multiple operations initiatives from a project management perspective.
• Ability to perform employee training, development, and coaching.
• Proven track record of project management experience with progressively increasing scale.
• Solid understanding and ability to deploy LEAN, FMEA, and DOE principles in projects.
• Proven ability to lead by example and coordinate with others.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft applications including Excel, Project, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Outlook.
• Working knowledge of 3D/CAD, preferably Solid Works.
• PLC Programming experience.
• Knowledge and experience in robot implementation and programming.
• Knowledge and experience in vision detection and programming.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Experience creating business cases for investments.
• Capability to train technical associates in a manufacturing environment with demonstrated effectiveness.
• Experience conducting safety / risk audits for product/process design.
• Availability outside of normal business hours as needed.

• Five (5) years of experience with robots, vision, and programming.
• Experience in the distilled spirits bottling operations.
• Knowledge of product design and design for manufacturability.

• Use hands, fingers, handle, feel, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear.
• Walk, stand, stoop, sit, kneel, crouch and crawl.
• Frequently the employee will be required to lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds.
• Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to focus is required.

• Paid Vacation
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Health, Dental & Vision eligibility from day one
• FSA/HSA
• 401K match
• EAP
• Maternity/Paternity Leave

Heaven Hill and its affiliates are committed to fostering a diverse workforce as an Equal Employment Opportunity company. We invite applications from candidates of all backgrounds, without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, natural origin, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected characteristic.