Advanced Manufacturing Engineer - Automation & Robotics Technology

15000 Valmont Plaza Omaha Nebraska 68154

A Brief Summary Of This Position:
This position is responsible as the Advanced Manufacturing Engineer – Automation & Robotics Technology for Valmont Manufacturing processes across the organization including steel, aluminum, fiberglass composites, and concrete. The position will have responsibility for developing and leading the implementation of new manufacturing technologies and processes as well as improving existing processes. Incumbent will have responsibility for developing methods to improve Valmont’s quality, capability, and competitiveness related to fabrication, specifically in the areas of thermal cutting, bending, forming, welding, coatings, process, robotics, and automation.

Position will also be responsible for establishing manufacturing best practices in key focus areas as well as supporting the development of technical talent among peers as well as at the individual manufacturing site level.

Manages manufacturing technologies and remains in touch with cutting-edge and new-to-world technologies via experience in other industries, trade shows, collaborations, periodicals, and other research for inclusion in the Valmont technology roadmap. Will be involved in projects or project teams regarding advanced manufacturing engineering processes and will maintain/communicate the project schedule, budget, performance, and objectives. The position will be responsible for the development, implementation, and management of projects to improve manufacturing operations and processes through automation.

These projects will reduce manufacturing costs and transform how products are manufactured within our industry. The position requires the ability to communicate directly with all levels of the Valmont organization and, when necessary, with customers and suppliers. Responsibilities also include having a broad knowledge of Valmont standards, departmental and company goals, policies and procedures.

• Provide strategic leadership and direction to the manufacturing engineering endeavors of the company.
• Remain apprised of cutting-edge and new-to-world technologies via trade shows, collaborations, periodicals, and other research.
• Process Development:
  Design and develop manufacturing processes for new products, ensuring efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
• Implement and optimize automation and robotic systems to enhance production capabilities.
• Identify and lead initiatives to improve manufacturing processes, reduce waste, and increase productivity.
• Develop and implement quality control procedures to ensure products meet specifications and standards.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for manufacturing issues, working closely with cross-functional teams.
• Develop and lead projects by applying lean principles to conduct process flow analysis, improve process time, improve first-pass yield, reduce process variation, and improve process stability.
• Ownership of all new capacity investments to deploy the best manufacturing processes.
• From identified capacity gap or technology roadmap driver, develop automation solution to provide a value-added solution.
• Ensure all appropriate process and equipment and project documentation is captured and stored in the appropriate digital systems for knowledge retention.
• Partner with Manufacturing Plants in the construction and evolution of the site technology roadmap that delivers technical productivity and supports profits & loss improvement on the product offers.
• Provide advanced manufacturing support for technologies that support Smart Factory deployment, including:
• Industry 4.0 and related technologies
• General Automation and Robotics
• PLCs, HMIs, and Control Systems
• Collaborative Robotics
• Stage Gate Visualization Deployment
• Augmented / Virtual Reality Applications
• Ensure the Automation and Robotics vision & roadmap is aligned with Global Operations strategy.
• Lead the effort to standardize on specific equipment/vendors/technologies across the organization.
• Travel up to 50% (including overnight stays), primarily domestic with some international travel.
• Lead manufacturing and process improvement projects in the…