Automation Engineer, Material Conveyance

About this role

Hadrian seeks an Automation Engineer to design and deploy material-flow systems across autonomous factories, including AMR fleets, conveyance networks, and overhead handling equipment. You'll integrate these systems with factory software (MES/WMS) and ensure safe, efficient part movement in high-volume aerospace and defense manufacturing.

What you'll do

• Scope, select, and commission AMR fleets from multiple vendors with configuration, testing, and ramp support
• Design conveyor and material-handling runs with cycle-time analysis, buffering, and failure recovery
• Plan overhead movement systems (cranes, gantries, hoists) where floor-based solutions don't fit
• Manage traffic, charging zones, and safety boundaries for mixed human-robot factory environments
• Integrate material-handling equipment with MES/WMS via VDA 5050, OPC-UA, MQTT, and PLC protocols
• Simulate throughput and layouts using tools like AnyLogic or FlexSim before hardware deployment

What they're looking for

• AMR/AGV fleet deployment and management
• Conveyance system design (belt, roller, chain, pallet)
• Crane, gantry, and overhead hoist integration
• VDA 5050, OPC-UA, MQTT, REST, PLC handshakes
• Manufacturing simulation (AnyLogic, FlexSim, Plant Simulation)
• Safety systems for mixed pedestrian-robot areas
• MES/WMS integration
• Python and data analytics (preferred)

Benefits

• Salary range $140,000–$220,000 based on experience
• Opportunity to build standards for rapid factory scaling
• Hands-on role directly impacting aerospace and defense manufacturing
• Work with cutting-edge robotics and autonomous systems
• Backed by leading investors (Andreessen Horowitz, Founders Fund, others)
• Rapid growth and expansion (new 290,000 sq ft facility launching)