Based on your findings, you'll be responsible for designing initial concepts for how AMRs could be implemented, assessing if these ideas are actually practical and feasible for that specific site, and carefully documenting all your observations and plans. Essentially, you're the expert who figures out the technical 'how' and 'if' for bringing AMR automation into the manufacturing world, laying the groundwork for successful deployments! It requires someone with solid technical skills and leadership experience.
We are looking for a skilled and experienced Technical Solutions Lead to join our team as a Technical Solutions Lead. In this crucial role, you will be at the forefront of evaluating manufacturing facilities for the potential implementation of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). You'll lead a dedicated team of technical specialists onsite, diving deep into facility conditions, analyzing current material flow processes, and collaborating closely with plant personnel. Your expertise will be key in designing conceptual AMR solutions, assessing their feasibility, and documenting all findings to pave the way for successful automation deployments.
Lead and manage the onsite evaluation team, including AMR Launch Specialists, Controls Engineers, IT Integration Specialists, and Layout Engineers.
- Coordinate team activities, assign tasks, and ensure the quality and efficiency of the onsite assessment process.
- Provide technical guidance and support to team members during evaluations.
- Ensure team safety and adherence to facility protocols while onsite.
- Facility Evaluation & Data Collection:
Direct the comprehensive assessment of manufacturing facilities, focusing on factors impacting AMR deployment.
- Evaluate physical conditions such as flooring quality (levelness, cracks, expansion joints), lighting levels (impact on vision-based navigation), aisle widths, door clearances, and potential obstacles.
- Assess existing infrastructure, including Wi-Fi coverage, network drops, power availability for charging, and accessibility to elevators or ramps.
Material Flow Analysis & Process Mapping:
- Lead the detailed analysis of current material handling processes within the facility.
- Map existing material flow paths, identifying sources, destinations, frequencies, volumes, and types of materials moved.
- Analyze current pain points, bottlenecks, and opportunities for automation using AMRs.
- Quantify movement data (distances, times, quantities) to build a baseline for comparison.
Collaboration with Plant Personnel:
- Serve as the primary technical point of contact for facility personnel during evaluations.
- Work closely with Industrial Engineers to understand process flows, production schedules, and efficiency targets.
- Engage with Manufacturing Planning & Logistics (MP&L) teams to understand material delivery requirements, inventory strategies, and sequencing needs.
- Collaborate with Plant IT to assess network capabilities, server infrastructure, and potential integration points (WMS, MES, ERP).
- Conduct interviews and workshops with operators and supervisors to gain practical insights into daily operations and challenges.
Solution Design & Feasibility Analysis:
- Based on evaluation findings and material flow analysis, design conceptual automated material flow processes utilizing AMRs.
- Develop potential AMR routing strategies, charging station locations, and staging area layouts.
Perform a comprehensive feasibility comparison:
- Assess the technical viability of the proposed automated process within the facility's constraints (flooring, lighting, layout, network).
- Compare the requirements of the proposed solution against the capabilities of available AMR product lines (payload, speed, navigation type, battery life, safety features, communication protocols).
- Determine which AMR platforms are the best fit or if custom solutions are required.
- Evaluate operational feasibility, considering interaction with human workers and existing manual processes.
Documentation & Reporting:
- Oversee the creation of detailed evaluation reports summarizing findings on facility conditions, material flow analysis, and infrastructure.
- Document proposed AMR solutions, including process maps, layout diagrams, and technical specifications.
- Prepare and present feasibility reports, outlining recommended AMR platforms and highlighting potential challenges or risks.
- Maintain accurate records of all data collected and analysis performed during the evaluation phase.
