About The Role

Position Objective

Lead the plant's automation, controls and digitalization agenda, proposing, developing, executing and implementing automated systems, robotics, machine vision, sensor technologies and PLC-based control solutions for blade manufacturing operations, in accordance with product specifications, safety standards and quality requirements. Identify automation opportunities, model, simulate and evaluate solutions, define equipment specifications and acceptance criteria, and lead the validation, commissioning and hand-off of automated systems to Production, applying the TPI manufacturing readiness framework to establish technology maturity and action plans. Act as the technical authority and project leader for automation and controls: set the technical direction and priorities of the automation project portfolio, lead cross-functional project teams and technology suppliers, and ensure that technology implementation supports the safety, quality, cost, productivity and operational excellence objectives of the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Perform and enforce all duties in compliance with TPI policies and aligned to TPI values of safety, operational excellence, commitment, integrity and leadership.
Lead the plant's automation and controls project portfolio: propose, plan, prioritize and execute automation projects end-to-end, and ensure on-time delivery of the automation work plan and objectives.
Collaborate with Production, Tooling, Maintenance, Quality, Technology and Customer teams to determine existing automation capabilities and future opportunities, and translate them into the automation project portfolio, technical standards and priorities.
Identify and justify automation opportunities across blade manufacturing operations through business cases, prioritizing initiatives by impact on safety, quality, cost and productivity.
Design, specify and select automated systems, robotic cells, machine vision, sensor technologies and material-handling solutions, and issue the equipment specifications used for quotation and purchase.
Model, simulate and evaluate automation solutions, from single processes through full factory layouts, and present the resulting technical recommendations for approval.
Program, simulate and implement multi-axis robotic and machine path programs, ensuring optimization, repeatability and documented program control.
Develop, test, maintain and troubleshoot PLC-based control systems to support reliable and optimized automated manufacturing operations.
Develop detailed automation implementation plans, engineering test plans, equipment acceptance criteria and validation protocols, and execute and evaluate the results before hand-off to Production.
Lead commissioning, start-up and ramp-up support and the effective hand-off of automated systems to Production and Maintenance, including training, work instructions, maintenance plans and spare-parts strategy.
Apply the TPI manufacturing readiness framework to establish automation technology maturity and action plans, and build, review and communicate technical data packages to support problem solving and decision-making.
Apply time studies, statistical process control (SPC), data analytics and AI / machine-learning tools to quantify automation benefits, establish capability baselines and verify that implemented solutions hold; ongoing process monitoring remains with Production and Process Engineering.
Evaluate and adopt AI-based solutions for manufacturing operations, including process monitoring, anomaly detection and predictive quality applications.
Perform and close safety analyses and risk assessments (machine safety, guarding, lock-out/tag-out, applicable standards) for every automated system before release to production.
Define, propose and implement engineering standards, methodologies and best practices for automated systems and control architectures, and administer engineering change control and traceability of technical information.
Act as technical referent for automation, controls and digitalization, providing engineering expertise to Production, Quality, Tooling, Maintenance and Process and Product Engineering, without assuming responsibility for day-to-day production execution.
Provide technical leadership, guidance and mentoring to engineers, technicians and interns participating in automation projects, and promote knowledge transfer and standardization of automation practices.
Develop and deliver technical training on new automated systems and control solutions for operators, technicians, maintenance and engineering personnel.
Drive the relationship and technical performance of automation, robotics and controls suppliers and integrators, including technical negotiation, scope definition and follow-up of deliverables and technical requirements.
Provide input to capital investment plans, installed capacity and long-term automation and digitalization roadmaps for the plant and the AMT organization.
Communicate technical content and project status, risks and results across all levels of the organization, influencing alignment based on sound engineering and data, and escalate critical risks and deviations in a timely manner.
Research new automation technologies and maintain awareness of industry developments, sharing conclusions and recommendations with the AMT organization and other TPI plants.
Comply with and promote the Internal Work Regulations and the Mission, Vision and Values of the organization.
Contribute to the maintenance and continuous improvement of the Management Systems (ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001), promoting customer focus, risk-based thinking and operational excellence.

Technical Competencies

Design, specification and industrialization of automated systems and robotic cells for composite blade manufacturing.
Multi-axis and robotic machine path programming, simulation and optimization (ABB, KUKA, FANUC, Universal Robots or equivalent).
PLC programming, controls and HMI development and troubleshooting (Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens or equivalent).
Industrial networks, servo/motion control, pneumatics and hydraulics, and electrical schematics interpretation.
Sensor technologies, machine vision and metrology applied to process control and in-line inspection.
Machine safety and risk assessment for automated equipment (guarding, safety circuits, lock-out/tag-out, applicable standards).
Manufacturing simulation and layout modeling, from single processes to full factory layouts.
Manufacturing readiness / technology maturity assessment and action planning.
Design and execution of engineering test plans, equipment acceptance criteria and validation protocols.
Time studies, capacity and cycle-time analysis, and labor and productivity quantification.
Statistical process control (SPC), process capability studies and measurement system analysis.
Data analytics applied to manufacturing process improvement (Power BI, Minitab, SQL or equivalent).
AI / machine-learning tools applied to process monitoring, anomaly detection and predictive quality.
Root cause analysis and structured problem solving (RCA, 5 Why, Ishikawa, DOE).
Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen and continuous improvement methodologies (SMED, Poka-Yoke, 5S).
Management of multiple concurrent engineering projects, including scope, schedule and cost control.
Interpretation of drawings, BOMs and technical specifications; geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
CAD 3D modeling and technical documentation (SolidWorks, CATIA or equivalent).
PDM/PLM systems, technical document control and Microsoft Office.
Development of work instructions, maintenance plans, process standards and training material.
Capital project justification, cost-benefit analysis and business case preparation.

Minimum Requirements

Education: B.S. degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Automation or Manufacturing Engineering, or similar field, required. Master's degree in engineering with a focus on automation, mechanical or electrical engineering preferred.

Experience: Minimum 5-8 years of relevant manufacturing experience (fiberglass composites preferred), including at least 2 years leading automation projects end-to-end, from concept and simulation through commissioning and hand-off. Demonstrated capability in machine path programming, simulation, optimization and implementation with multi-axis or robotic systems. Solid understanding of automation equipment, including hands-on PLC programming and controls experience (Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens or equivalent). Experience with automated machine cells, commissioning and validation of automated equipment required. Experience with Kaizen and Lean Manufacturing techniques preferred. Experience applying data analytics and statistical process control (SPC) to drive process quality and capability improvements preferred. Experience with AI or machine-learning tools applied to process monitoring, anomaly detection or predictive quality preferred. Experience managing automation suppliers and integrators preferred.

Certifications (desirable): Lean Six Sigma (Green or Black Belt), CAPM / PMP, robot manufacturer or PLC platform certification (ABB, KUKA, FANUC, Rockwell, Siemens), machine safety / functional safety, SPC, GD&T, SolidWorks (CSWA or CSWP), Kaizen, SMED, Poka-Yoke, data analytics or machine-learning certification, internal auditor ISO 9001 / 14001 / 45001.

Language: Advanced English (verbal and written), required for interaction with customers, corporate teams, suppliers and other TPI sites.

Other requirements: Willingness to travel within the US and Mexico (up to 25%). Ability to be on the factory floor for long periods of time, potentially working across multiple shifts, including support during commissioning and start-up.