Mechanical Automation Specialist

Location: Wilmington, Illinois · On-site

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Mechanical Automation Specialist

Build smarter, safer, and more reliable manufacturing operations

Are you an automation or mechanical engineering professional who enjoys solving complex equipment challenges and turning technical ideas into real manufacturing improvements?

We’re looking for a Mechanical Automation Specialist to support our Shelter manufacturing sites. In this role, you’ll work closely with Operations, Reliability Maintenance, Technology Implementation Leads, and Packaging Specialists to improve the reliability, safety, and productivity of automated packaging and finishing equipment.

This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys being close to the operation, troubleshooting tough problems, leading improvements, and helping teams get the most from their automation technology.

What You’ll Do

· Own the sustaining operations of finishing and packaging equipment, including hooders, wrappers, and robotic systems, ensuring sustained uptime and throughput.

· Apply deep mechatronics and system-level expertise to perform root cause analysis on robotic subsystems and automation failures and drive continuous improvement.

· Document root cause analyses, corrective actions, and mitigations for critical issues, and develop the reliability playbooks used across the network.

· Integrate, qualify, calibrate, and document replacement solutions for end-of-life (EOL) hardware and software components.

· Establish and manage preventive and predictive maintenance programs to reduce unplanned downtime and extend equipment life.

· Oversee facility inspections, repairs, and upgrades, maintaining order and operational readiness.

· Manage automation vendors and service partners supporting spare parts, warranties, service-level performance, and retrofit or upgrade work on existing equipment.

· Help ensure packaging and finishing equipment across Shelter manufacturing sites operates with a high level of reliability and machine safety compliance.

· Partner with Operations and Reliability Maintenance to troubleshoot automated equipment, solve problems, and lead root cause investigations.

· Identify and drive automation improvement projects aligned with site safety and productivity goals.

· Collaborate across site functions to turn technical opportunities into practical improvements.

· Work with Technology Implementation Leads (TILs) to scope capital projects and enter opportunities into the BTIP tool for prioritization and execution.

· Partner with Corporate Packaging Specialists to incorporate equipment and process improvements into manufacturing operations.

· Bring a continuous improvement mindset to day-to-day challenges, using Lean approaches such as A3 and Kaizen.

· Coach and mentor others while helping strengthen automation capabilities across the organization.

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for someone who combines technical automation expertise with strong problem-solving and leadership skills.

Required Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.

· At least 5 years of experience in a Manufacturing or Engineering function within a similar industry.

· Experience sustaining and maintaining finishing and packaging equipment, including hooders, wrappers, robotic systems, and PLC systems, within a live operating environment.

· Hands-on experience troubleshooting, debugging, integrating, calibrating, and validating electromechanical systems involving actuators and sensors.

· Experience working with mechanical actuators, motors, and electrical sensor integration.

· Experience working with packaging equipment and/or equipment design.

· Knowledge of robotics, such as FANUC, and PLC control software and hardware.

· Knowledge and experience with applicable machine safety standards.

· Experience applying Lean problem-solving methods, including A3 and Kaizen.

· Experience managing people and leading work teams.

· Willingness and ability to work on-site and travel across the plant network up to 50%.

What Will Help You Succeed

You’ll thrive in this role if you:

· Have a bias for action and are comfortable using data and technical judgment to make decisions.

· Enjoy getting to the root of challenging technical and operational problems, including situations where the answer isn’t immediately clear.

· Look at existing processes and equipment with an eye toward “How can we make this better?”

· Can bring different functions together to move improvement initiatives forward.

· Enjoy coaching, mentoring, and sharing technical knowledge with others.

· Balance hands-on problem-solving with the ability to scope and advance larger automation and capital improvement opportunities.

Why This Role?

This role offers the opportunity to make a visible impact across manufacturing operations. You’ll help improve the safety, reliability, and productivity of critical equipment while partnering with teams across Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Packaging.

If you’re energized by automation, manufacturing technology, continuous improvement, and solving problems where your work can make a tangible difference, this could be a great next step.

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