Lead Engineer, Automation

General Overview

Functional Area:  Engineering        
Career Stream:  Equipment Engineering Manufacturing    
SAP Short Name:  LEN-ENG-EQM
Job Level:  Level 08
IC/MGR:  Individual Contributor        
Direct/Indirect Indicator:  Indirect

Summary

As part of the Celestica Global Automation (CGA) team in Monterrey, Mexico, you are a Lead Mechanical Design Engineer driving the development, procurement management, implementation, and optimization of standard and customized manufacturing automation equipment. Celestica is committed to empowering engineering talent through structure execution pathways designed to elevate equipment mechanics, precision tooling design, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Our core goal is to accelerate operational growth toward world-class automation deployment across high-tech manufacturing verticals.
In this role, you will operate across a balanced operational model comprising 60% Turn-Key projects with external automation integrators, designed and/or validated by our Mechanical team, and 40% In-House engineering developments with full internal Design. You will bridge mechanical engineering concepts with hands-on project accompaniment, defined User Requirement Specifications (URS) gathering, supplier technical evaluations, 3D CAD design reviews, component procurement tracking, and shop-floor commissioning. You will report directly to the Senior Manager of Automation Engineering in Monterrey, Mexico.   

Detailed Description

Performs tasks such as, but not limited to, the following:

• Technical Process Gathering & Scoping: Collaborates with operations, quality, and manufacturing teams to define mechanical process requirements, cycle time targets, and ergonomic cell architectures.
• Requirements Documentation & Validation: Authors clear User Requirement Specifications (URS), Statements of Work (SOW), and Lists of Requirements (LOR) for custom automated machinery and mechanical tooling.
• Supplier Proposal Evaluation & Bidding: Conducts comprehensive technical evaluations of vendor mechanical concepts, 3D CAD assemblies, structural stability calculations, and material selections.
• In-House Controls & Mechanical Development: Leads in-house mechanical design of custom end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), pneumatic clamping fixtures, conveyor transfers, and precision alignment mechanisms using 3D CAD software.
• Procurement & Import Logistics Tracking: Tracks mechanical long-lead components, raw materials, machined parts, and commercial hardware to maintain project milestone timelines, following procurement and logistics areas.
• Equipment Release & Shop-Floor Commissioning: Direct machine assembly, mechanical alignment, pneumatic plumbing verification, and physical debugging on the Monterrey plant floor, and some external designs for other plants in the Group.
• Project Planning & Data Analysis: Utilizes project management workbooks (PM workbook, Excel, Smartsheet) to manage project CapEx budgets, track milestone deliverables, and drive OEE optimization.
• Cross-Site Communication & Reporting: Interfaces with global engineering peers, site leadership, and external technology vendors to ensure compliance with Celestica standards, 30% of those conversations are English language based.
• Continuous Engineering Development: Enforces Design for Automated Assembly (DFAA) principles, 8D root-cause problem solving, and preventive maintenance strategies to maximize asset reliability.

Knowledge/Skills/Competencies

• Automation Integration Principles: Solid grasp of core automation principles and emerging tech, with the ability to bridge physical mechanical systems with automated solutions..
• Schematic & Diagram Reading: Advanced ability to interpret and create mechanical assembly drawings, pneumatic/hydraulic circuit schematics, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) specifications.
• Control Panel & Hardware Verification: Hands-on capability in validating mechanical alignment, pneumatic valve manifolds (Festo), sensor positioning (Balluff, Keyence), and structural enclosure integrity.
• Organized Project Tracking & Data Analysis: Strong proficiency in structured project management, tracking equipment timelines, managing bill of materials (BOM), and conducting root-cause failure analysis (8D, Fishbone).
• Bilingual Communication: Full professional bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish (written and verbal) for technical vendor management and global reporting.
• Learning Agility & Abstract Reasoning: High capacity to analyze complex mechanical mechanisms, troubleshoot intermittent mechanical jams, and innovate practical engineering workarounds under production pressure.
• Team Integration & Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal skills to coordinate smoothly across cross-functional departments, maintenance technicians, and external machinery 

Physical Demands

• Expectation of travel to vendor/supplier locations, customer sites, and other Celestica operating facilities is less than 10% of the time. However, travel may temporarily increase during critical project life cycle phases, such as on-site Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) buy-offs, equipment commissioning, and line transfers.

Typical Experience

• Intermediate to Senior Level: 3 to 5+ years of relevant experience or solid project background in mechanical design, industrial automation, precision machinery, or custom equipment integration.

Typical Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or an equivalent combination of formal education and applied engineering experience.

Educational Requirements may vary by Geography

Notes

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees are held accountable for all duties of the job. Job duties and the % of time identified for any function are subject to change at any time.