Principal Engineer, Material Handling & Warehouse Automation

At Jabil (NYSE: JBL), we are proud to be a trusted partner for the world's top brands, offering comprehensive engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing solutions. With 60 years of experience across industries and a vast network of over 100 sites worldwide, Jabil combines global reach with local expertise to deliver both scalable and customized solutions. Our commitment extends beyond business success as we strive to build sustainable processes that minimize environmental impact and foster vibrant and diverse communities around the globe.

The Principal Automation Engineer, Material Handling & Warehouse Automation, Regional is responsible for driving the execution, deployment, and improvement of warehouse and production-connected material handling automation solutions across multiple North America EMS sites. This role supports material flow to and from production through scalable warehouse and intralogistics solutions, while working closely with site teams, third-party suppliers, and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure successful implementation and sustainment.

This role supports both New Product Introduction (NPI) and New Automation Asset Introduction . Although the role is not intended to formally own site projects, the individual must be fully capable of planning, structuring, and driving execution through site teams and external partners.

This is not a strategy ownership role and it is not an internal equipment design role. The position is focused on execution, mentoring, supplier coordination, and consistent deployment of supplier-based warehouse and material handling automation solutions within a regional automation framework.

CORE ROLE DEFINITION

This role must be capable of leading, structuring, and driving execution through site teams and suppliers.

This role provides regional technical leadership for warehouse and material handling automation deployment and sustainment.

This role works closely with the Sr. Manager of Automation to align execution with regional priorities and provide input to strategy, while strategy ownership remains with regional leadership.

This role is a mentor, trainer, and capability builder across the region.

This role works closely with the General Automation team , recognizing that material handling and warehouse automation must integrate directly into production operations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Regional Execution Leadership

Drive execution of material handling and warehouse automation initiatives across multiple North America EMS sites.

Support sites in prioritizing opportunities, structuring work, managing execution, and stabilizing deployed systems.

Ensure implementation aligns with regional expectations, standards, and scalable approaches.

New Product Introduction (NPI) Support

Support site teams in aligning warehouse and material flow strategies with new product requirements.

Evaluate the impact of new products on material flow, storage, staging, line-side delivery, and outbound processes.

Ensure warehouse and material handling processes are ready to support production needs during product launch.

New Automation Asset Introduction

Guide and support deployment of new automation systems, including:

requirements alignment

supplier engagement

technical evaluation

quotation and proposal review

installation

startup

ramp

validation and handoff

Ensure deployed systems meet throughput, reliability, accuracy, safety, and operational expectations.

Project Execution Capability

Be fully capable of independently running automation projects , including:

planning and structuring work

task and issue tracking

stakeholder alignment

supplier coordination

execution follow-up

risk and escalation management

Apply this project capability to guide and support site teams, even when formal project ownership remains at the site.

Supplier and Integrator Leadership

Act as a primary technical interface with:

third-party automation integrators

AMR / AGV / FMR suppliers

warehouse automation suppliers

infrastructure and software solution providers

Lead technical discussions, solution alignment, issue resolution, and performance reviews with suppliers.

Warehouse and Production Integration

Ensure strong alignment between warehouse automation systems and production operations.

Work closely with site warehouse teams, facilities, industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, and General Automation engineers.

Reinforce that warehouse automation is not separate from manufacturing execution and must integrate cleanly into production material flow.

Mentoring, Training, and Capability Building

Mentor facility-level automation engineers and technical resources across the region.

Provide training and guidance on:

warehouse and material handling automation concepts

supplier engagement and technical reviews

structured execution discipline

troubleshooting approaches

standard methods and lessons learned

Help build sustainable capability across sites rather than creating dependency on one person.

Continuous Improvement

Drive improvement initiatives across the region related to:

material flow efficiency

labor reduction

throughput improvement

delivery performance

storage optimization

system reliability

operational scalability

Identify and replicate successful solutions where appropriate.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Strong experience in material handling, warehouse automation, and intralogistics systems .

Strong understanding of:

warehouse operations and terminology

material flow in manufacturing environments

AMR / AGV / FMR systems

storage systems such as ASRS, VLM, and rack systems

warehouse software interfaces such as WMS and fleet management systems

Strong ability to:

translate operational needs into practical technical solutions

work effectively with third-party integrators and suppliers

guide cross-functional execution across warehouse, IE, facilities, and manufacturing teams

communicate clearly with site teams, customers, suppliers, and leadership

Strong project execution capability and program leadership discipline.

Strong troubleshooting capability and continuous improvement mindset.

Working understanding of manufacturing automation environments and production system interfaces.

Ability to mentor others and raise capability across multiple sites.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field.

12+ years of experience in:

warehouse automation

material handling systems

manufacturing environments

third-party supplier and integrator execution models

Demonstrated experience:

driving automation deployment or multi-site implementation

supporting startup, ramp, troubleshooting, and sustainment

working across cross-functional technical and operational teams

leading execution without relying on formal direct ownership of every task

ADDITIONAL ROLE EXPECTATIONS

Work closely with the Regional Automation Team to support regional execution priorities, standard methods, and scalable deployment approaches.

Follow the Global Automation Process for New Automation Asset Delivery , including:

requirements definition and alignment

supplier engagement

deployment and startup support

validation and handoff discipline

Support:

New Product Introduction (NPI)

New Automation Asset Introduction

continuous improvement and sustainment

Work closely with the General Automation team to ensure warehouse and material handling solutions integrate effectively into production operations.

Operate in a multi-site, matrixed environment with strong collaboration across technical and operational functions.

The pay range for this role is $126,100 - $227,000. Job-related, non-discriminatory factors used to determine the actual offered rate include qualifications and experience, geographic location, education, external market data, and consideration of internal equity. The anticipated close date of this job requisition is: .

As part of the total rewards package, this position is eligible for a short-term incentive based on performance. In addition, Jabil offers benefits to enhance your health, wealth and resilient self. These include medical, dental, and vision insurance plans; 401(k) retirement plan and employee stock purchase plan; and paid time off.

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