automation engineering manager

What you’ll do… Role summary: The Automation Engineering Manager will lead the end-to-end integration and launch of the automation system in Porterville, CA, driving execution from design alignment through installation, testing, and final acceptance. The automation engineering manager is responsible for translating design intent into fully operational systems by coordinating equipment implementation, validating end-to-end performance, and ensuring readiness for operations handoff.

Automation engineer managers partner closely with design, construction, and product teams to influence design enhancements, support change requests, and optimize system performance at site level-focusing on throughput, reliability, and scalability during commissioning and ramp. They also own key elements of project execution, including schedule alignment, budget tracking, and cost management of materials, scope changes, and site-specific risks to ensure successful delivery of large-scale automation deployments.

This role leverages data, testing results, and field learnings to drive continuous improvement across sites, including system tuning, defect management, and performance optimization during ramp and post-go-live. The manager ensures coordination across stakeholders-vendor, construction, operations, maintenance, and supply chain leadership-to maintain alignment on priorities, milestones, and issue resolution.

About the team: Our team leads large-scale automation deployments across Walmart’s supply chain, focused on transforming distribution center operations through advanced technologies. We leverage data and analytics to drive operational efficiency, improve system performance, and enable continuous improvement.

From design through implementation, we manage end-to-end integration of automation systems, ensuring seamless execution across highly complex environments. We partner closely with cross-functional stakeholders to deliver scalable solutions, optimize processes, and support Walmart’s long-term automation strategy.

This role is based in Porterville, CA, and requires up to 50% travel to support site deployments and supplier coordination.

What you’ll do:

• Lead the integration and implementation of automation systems to improve distribution center performance
• Analyze complex operational and system data to inform decision-making and drive performance improvements
• Develop and manage project plans, schedules, and resources to ensure successful delivery of automation initiatives
• Partner with engineering, construction, operations, and vendor teams to resolve technical challenges and drive execution
• Identify and implement process improvements using Lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies
• Build business cases and cost analyses to support automation investments and strategic initiatives
• Oversee system testing, validation, and documentation to ensure solutions meet quality and performance standards

• Experience in automation engineering and system integration within supply chain or industrial environments
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights
• Demonstrated project management experience delivering complex, cross-functional initiatives
• Business acumen, including experience with cost analysis, investment justification, and vendor management
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and align cross-functional teams
• Knowledge of operational excellence, engineering economics, and continuous improvement principles, Outlined below are the required minimum qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no minimum qualifications.

Option 1: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field and 2 years’ experience in engineering, supply chain, or related area. Option 2: 4 years’ experience in engineering, supply chain, or related area.

Preferred Qualifications…

Outlined below are the optional preferred qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no preferred qualifications.

Masters: Computer Engineering

At Walmart, we offer competitive pay as well as performance-based bonus awards and other great benefits for a happier mind, body, and wallet. Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage. Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance. Paid time off benefits include PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting. Other benefits include short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more.

You will also receive PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes. The amount you receive depends on your job classification and length of employment. It will meet or exceed the requirements of paid sick leave laws, where applicable., The annual salary range for this position is $90,000.00 - $180,000.00