Lead Automation Engineer Design Engineering

The pay range is $113,000.00 - $244,000.00

Pay is based on several factors which vary based on position. These include labor markets and in some instances may include education, work experience and certifications. In addition to your pay, Target cares about and invests in you as a team member, so that you can take care of yourself and your family. Target offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs, which may include medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more, to help you and your family take care of your whole selves. Other benefits for eligible team members include 401(k), employee discount, short term disability, long term disability, paid sick leave, paid national holidays, and paid vacation. Find competitive benefits from financial and education to well-being and beyond at https://corporate.target.com/careers/benefits.

Target is an iconic brand, a Fortune 500 company and one of America’s leading retailers.  We are on a journey to transform our internal supply chain, an expansive network of distribution and fulfillment centers, into a world-class, high speed, maximum throughput, replenishment and last mile delivery e-commerce enterprise.  Where ever and whenever our Guests choose to shop Target, the Global Supply Chain & Logistics team is committed to ensuring that the products our Guests need will always be available in our stores or online delivered on time, every time.

The Lead Automation Engineer working on the Design Engineering team will design and manage world class supply chain automation projects that will result in an enhanced Target Guest experience by increasing the speed, accuracy and efficiency of processing of goods through the internal supply chain.  This position will report to the Director of Engineering. The Design Engineering team will own complex supply chain projects from scoping and concept through production of engineering deliverables for implementation. The Lead Automation Engineer will partner with multiple internal teams and external suppliers to generate and provide concepts and designs, analyze opportunites while evaluating technologies, support system activation and validate and test technologies. This role will be instrumental in the successful deployment and launch of automation supply chain technologies and processes that have significant impact to business operations. This individual must have exceptional problem solving skills, strong business judgment, and experience in leading enterprise cross-functional teams. This position will mentor and coach junior Engineers and peer team members.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure Safety in design for all GSCL (Global Supply Chain & Logistics) projects.
• Drive, Influence and Effectively Communicate strategies for the automation for process paths or technology advancements.
• Evaluate Technologies through creation of cafeteria plans to analyze and compare concept designs and options. Use a methodical processes to scope the business potential of automation technologies.
• Create, Foster and Maintain connections with key vendors and external industry stakeholders.
• Design and engineer material flow concepts/systems.
• Create Factory Acceptance Test Plans and Site Acceptance Test Plans following Target Testing Strategy as well as their execution.
• Lead Innovation Proof of Concepts and Pilots to evaluate new technologies.
• Partner with Cross Functional teams to plan activation of engineering systems as well as support engineering initiatives for process improvements.
• Generate accurate capital and expense cost estimates associated with concept designs.
• Layout concepts through CAD software.
• Communicate issues internally and hold all parties accountable as required.
• Develop technical Request for Proposal (RFP), tabulate and qualify proposals, and make technical recommendations on award.
• Create and evaluate vendor SOW documentation.
• Collaborate effectively across all internal and external stakeholders including vendors, internal engineering team, operations & facility teams.
• Innovate, think outside of the box.

Minimum Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience
• 7 or more years of combined experience in material handling, automation, manufacturing, supply chain and/or distribution and logistics industries, or 5 or more years combined experience plus an Advanced degree in Engineering
• Proven project management experience implementing multi-million dollar, complex capital equipment & systems
• Experience in machine building design, station design and/or manufacturing lines
• Experience in concept development, prototype testing, engineering design and managing the collaboration with Automation suppliers
• Broad experience programming, troubleshooting automation systems (material handling equipment, robotics, vision systems, etc.)
• Strong experience in Safety Systems, Safety Standards, Risk Assessment and how to apply Safety in automated solutions
• Extensive experience testing and validating automation equipment
• Multi-year experience with project management strategies required for complex and dynamic projects with very short lead times
• Exceptional analytical and organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage several complex projects at the same time with high degrees of variation and uncertainty
• Candidate must be capable to work with little or no supervision and their subject matter expertise will be required to assess and recommend solutions with significant impact to the business
• Natural ability to speak and write effectively at all organizational levels
• Candidate must be able to demonstrate excellent judgment and decision-making skills under conditions of exceptional uncertainty with possibility of significant lack of data
• Frequently provides significant leadership or influence as a coordinator of complex cross-functional projects and programs
• Proficiency with standard project planning software applications
• Ability to travel at short notice- up to 25% (varies by project phase)

This position may be considered for a Remote or Hybrid (known internally at Target as "Flex for Your Day") work arrangement based on Target's needs.  A Remote work arrangement means the team member works full-time from home or an alternate location that's not a Target location, does not have a desk at a Target location and may travel to HQ up to 4 times a year.  A Hybrid/Flex for Your Day work arrangement means the team member's core role may be performed either remote or onsite at a Target location depending upon what your role, team and tasks require for that day. Work duties cannot be performed outside of the country of the primary work location, unless otherwise prescribed by Target.

Benefits Eligibility

Please paste this url into your preferred browser to learn about benefits eligibility for this role: https://tgt.biz/BenefitsForYou_E

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

In compliance with state and federal laws, Target will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please reach out to [email protected].

Application deadline is : 05/09/2025