Industrial Automation & Mfg Systems – Snr/Principal Engineer (Industry 4.0) - #1131978

Job Description

Role Summary

The snr/Principal Engineer will drive Collins Aerospace’s transition toward highly automated, autonomous, and digitally connected manufacturing across multi sites under Singapore Operations . This includes robotics, machining automation, material-handling systems, machine vision, factory systems integration, IIoT platforms, and data-driven factory intelligence. The role blends deep automation expertise, strong OT/IT integration capability, and digital manufacturing leadership to realise Collins’ Lights-Out Manufacturing and Factory of the Future aspirations.

Roles & Responsibilities

1. Automation & Robotics System Architecture

• Lead design and deployment of robotics and automation systems for CNC machining, machine tending, material handling, inspection, and finishing.

• Develop process sequences, cycle-time models, EOAT designs, and automation fixtures tailored to aerospace machining requirements.

• Integrate machine vision, sensing, and AI-assisted inspection into robotic workflows for precision manufacturing.

2. Controls, Software & Factory Systems Integration

• Develop PLC/PC-based control systems, robot programs (ABB/Fanuc/KUKA/UR), motion control logic, and HMI interfaces.

• Implement industrial communication protocols (OPC UA, MQTT, REST) to integrate automation with CNCs, sensors, MES, SCADA, IIoT platforms, and enterprise systems.

• Conduct virtual commissioning, simulation, and system validation using digital engineering tools.

3. Factory Systems Engineering & OT/IT Integration

• Lead end-to-end integration of automation with:

  • CNC machining centers

  • MES & ERP

  • SCADA & historian systems

  • Tool management & traceability systems

  • Quality and inspection databases

• Develop high-availability automation networks with strong data integrity, redundancy, and cybersecurity compliance.

• Architect scalable, modular automation platforms for autonomous cells, flexible machining systems, and Seletar Factory of the Future.

4. IIoT, Data Engineering & Factory Digitalization

• Deploy IIoT solutions for equipment connectivity, condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, and digital twins.

• Build structured data pipelines from production equipment, robots, PLCs, sensors, and historian systems for real-time and batch analytics.

• Implement dashboards, KPIs, and analytics workflows via Power BI, Tableau, Kepware, Spark, or similar platforms.

• Evaluate and apply advanced technologies such as AI-based vision, ML predictive models, reinforcement learning for robotics, and simulation-driven factory planning.

5. Project Leadership & Vendor Management

• Define SORs, specifications, layouts, acceptance test plans, budgets, and lifecycle plans for automation initiatives.

• Lead multi-site implementation with strong governance, risk management, and adherence to safety standards (ISO 10218, ISO 13849, IEC 61508).

• Evaluate commercial proposals, manage suppliers, and drive cost-effective adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies.

6. Manufacturing Excellence & Technology Benchmarking

• Analyse production bottlenecks and engineer automation solutions that improve throughput, reliability, quality, and cost competitiveness.

• Benchmark best-in-class automation and digital manufacturing across aerospace, precision engineering, and semiconductor sectors.

• Mentor engineers and build organizational capability in robotics, digital manufacturing, and systems engineering.

Qualifications & Skills

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Robotics, Computer Engineering, or related disciplines.

Technical Expertise

• 10–15 years in robotics, automation, machining automation, and factory systems integration.

• Strong experience with CNC machining processes, robotic machine tending, vision systems, and aerospace precision manufacturing.

• Proficiency in controls engineering, PLC/PC programming, robot programming (ABB/Fanuc/KUKA/UR), and OT industrial networks.

Digital & Data Skills

• Experience with MES/SCADA/IIoT platforms, OPC UA servers, MQTT, and machine connectivity frameworks.

• Proficiency in SQL, Python, and scripting for data processing, systems integration, and automated workflows.

• Experience with simulation and digital twin tools such as Siemens Process Simulate, Tecnomatix, Plant Simulation, or FlexSim.

• Knowledge of ML/AI fundamentals, predictive analytics, and digital-thread architectures is a strong advantage.

Software & Application Skills

• Skilled in automation-oriented programming languages (Python, C++, C#, Java).

• Familiarity with web frameworks and modern application development (Node.js, React/Angular, .NET).

• Experience with data analytics tools (Power BI, Tableau, snowflakes, Kepware, Spark, Hive, etc.).

Leadership & Project Skills

• 5+ years managing automation or capital projects; PMP/Prince2 certification advantageous.

• Strong competency in technology insertion, NPI automation readiness, factory redesign, and process revalidation.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management across engineering, operations, quality, and digital technology teams.

Additional Desired Skills

• Familiarity with AS9100, APQP/PPAP, and aerospace manufacturing quality systems.

• Experience with cybersecurity for OT/automation networks.

• Strong capability in structured problem solving (6σ, DMAIC, FMEA).