Program Manager, Layout Engineering

What we need  

The Layout Engineering Program Manager will work with cross-functional leaders including product development, supply chain, installation, commissioning, operations, finance, quality, suppliers, and the customers to plan and implement automation solutions at client sites.  The nature of assigned projects can vary widely and may include process development, process improvement, new product introduction, or a retrofit to an existing system.  Success in this role requires close collaboration with customer sites, internal Symbotic teams, fabricators, and key stakeholders, as well as a strong on-site presence to ensure seamless execution.  

The person in this position will balance the operational needs of the installation team with the complexities of managing highly integrated, customer-facing projects.  Leveraging technical expertise, problem-solving skills, business acumen, and creativity, they will develop and implement innovative solutions to drive efficiency and enhance customer outcomes.  

This is a remote, field-based position. For this role, we’re seeking someone located in the Western time zone to enable effective on-site collaboration with current team members in the region. Travel to site locations within the region will be required 

What we do  

The System Layout Engineering team is part of the Manufacturing and Supply Chain Organization, which is responsible for developing the customer’s warehouse layout, facilitating supply chain execution, and delivering world-class support to the installation team. The System Layout Engineering team drives warehouse design excellence through the incorporation of internal and external customer feedback with a consistent focus on reducing costs for both material and project execution lead times.   

What you’ll do 

• Develop and manage project charters, baseline metrics, data collection plans, and proof-of-concepts to validate project deliverables. 

• Ensure successful planning, development, execution, acceptance, and post-implementation in accordance with project objectives. 

• Develop KPIs for each assigned initiative, focusing on scope, schedule, cost, delivery, service, and quality.  

• Facilitate the resolution of issues, risks, and challenges that surface in the deployment process. 

• Identify opportunities for process automation, improved scalability, and efficiency within the installation team.  

• Lead weekly cross-functional meetings to review project progress, issues, and risks. 

• Provide regular updates to business stakeholders and leadership on project progress and impact. 

• Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure CI-driven ideas are integrated into design and documentation through engineering changes.  

• Ensure timely execution of approved engineering changes across all installation sites, including retroactive implementation at past sites.  

• Provide ongoing support and guidance to installation teams, troubleshooting design and material delivery issues as needed.  

• Document and share best practices, process improvements, and innovative approaches across the installation organization.  

• Foster a culture focused on transparency, speed of decision-making, and a synchronized partnership within cross-functional team. 

What you’ll need 

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering discipline, construction management, or equivalent years of experience.    

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in industrial/robotic automation installation projects. 

• Ability to implement creative solutions, deliver projects to scope, schedule, and budget. 

• Skills to identify problems, potential risks, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. 

• Ability to successfully implement change initiatives with minimal disruption and maximum adoption.  

• Good negotiation and relationship skills, both in directing the technical team and ability to manage and reach solutions to competing priorities. 

• Experience leveraging business intelligence tools to provide insightful metrics.  

• Process oriented, lean focused, methodical, detail-oriented, and proactive. 

• Preferred to have: PMP cert, Lean/Six Sigma/Kaizen cert, working knowledge of Jira, Smartsheet, and SAP. 

• Ability to travel up to 60% of the time.  

• A valid driver’s license and the ability to drive and/or fly to client and other customer locations.  

Our Environment 

• This is a remote, field-based position. For this role, we’re seeking someone located in the Western time zone to enable effective on-site collaboration with current team members in the region. Travel to site locations within the region will be required 

• Own a credit card and manage expenses personally to be reimbursed on a bi-weekly basis. 

• Routinely: walk up/down the steep stairs to navigate the automation structure; work at heights above 45 feet, near railings that are high off the ground; work within restrictive areas of 24 inches to stand; work in temps ranging from 105° to 32° Fahrenheit; lift and/or move items up to 50 pounds; climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. 

• Approximately 75% of site time will be spent on a construction site with PPE required (hard hat, safety vest, steel toes, eyeglasses, ear protection, fall protection, e.g., safety harness). 

• Comply with all safety requirements and protocols, including without limitation lock-out tag-out safety protocols and fall protection safety protocols. 

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