Job Title Director of Automation Engineering About our company: The Raymond Corporation is a division of the Toyota Industries Corporation. We empower you to do great work in a company with 100 years of success, innovation and growth. Our Associates are the foundation of our continued success. If you’re innovative and enjoy the thrill of making things happen - share our vision and grow with us. About Our team: At Raymond Corporation, we are expanding our team of Automation Engineering professionals to advance the development of cutting-edge automated lift trucks, Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), and innovative warehouse logistics solutions. Our team is deeply involved in every stage of the product lifecycle, from research and design to development, testing, and implementation of state-of-the-art automated equipment and intralogistics technologies. About the position: We are seeking an experienced Director of Automation Engineering to lead our Automation Development and Implementation teams. This senior leadership role will drive the strategic development and delivery of high-quality automation products within Raymond’s portfolio of material handling equipment. The ideal candidate will possess a blend of creativity, technical expertise, and strategic vision, with a proven ability to rapidly turn innovative concepts into tangible products. In this role, you will: * Lead Innovation: Spearhead automation, new technologies, and integration efforts across Research and New Product Development (NPD) teams. * Drive Program Management: Lead R&D and technical initiatives that deliver new or improved products, enhance productivity, and reduce operational costs. * Manage Cross-Functional Teams: Oversee Application Engineering teams responsible for deploying cutting-edge technologies such as automated equipment and operator assistance systems. * Collaborate Globally: Partner with Toyota Material Handling’s world-class technical staff to solve complex, global challenges. * Strategic Leadership: Collaborate with senior management to shape and execute the company’s Strategic Technology Plan and NPD goals. * Foster Innovation: Translate innovative ideas from multiple business functions—including R&D, marketing, and operations—into market-ready products. * Lead Multi-Disciplinary Teams: Coordinate diverse teams across mechanical, electrical, software, application, and systems engineering disciplines. * Enhance Product Development: Champion development methodologies and tools to accelerate product releases, improve quality, and reduce time to market. * Mentorship & Development: Lead, mentor, and grow a world-class Advanced Development Engineering team, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and excellence. * Operational Excellence: Ensure alignment of staffing levels with strategic budgets and new product development roadmaps, managing both permanent and contract resources effectively. * IP and Technical Leadership: Lead the generation of advanced intellectual property and maintain Raymond’s position as an industry leader in material handling technology. * Global Collaboration: Engage with Toyota Industries’ global teams to access cutting-edge technologies and ensure successful commercialization. Key Responsibilities: * Lead the integration of automation technologies across multiple business functions. * Develop and implement strategies for new product introductions, ensuring high-impact results. * Manage complex technical projects, balancing scope, timeline, and budget. * Cultivate a high-performance culture through clear expectations, regular feedback, and strategic coaching. * Oversee product testing, risk analysis, and validation to ensure engineering solutions meet business objectives and customer needs. * Engage in global partnerships to stay ahead of technology trends and opportunities. About you: * Bachelor’s degree in Computer, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering or Computer Science. * 15+ years of professional experience, with 8+ years in technical leadership and management roles. * Proven track record of leading and scaling product development initiatives from concept to market. * Expertise in automation systems, system integration, and complex technical planning. * Strong leadership skills with a focus on continuous improvement and team development. * Experience managing projects with multiple interdependencies and global collaboration. * Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and senior leadership. * Results-driven with the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining strategic alignment. It would be great if you had: * Master’s degree in Computer, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering or Computer Science. * Extensive experience in automation for material handling or robotics industries. * Strong understanding of intellectual property development and protection strategies. About the total compensation package: Salary - $170,000 - $220,000 per year. Compensation depends on the selected candidate’s education and experience. Bonus Program – This position is eligible for the Director Bonus Program. Relocation – This position may qualify for relocation. Benefits - We recognize the value of a comprehensive benefits program for our employees and work tirelessly to make sure our package meets the needs of our employees and their families. Eligible employees can elect and participate in a variety of benefits including: * Vacation available on day 1 * 10 paid holidays * Medical and Rx Plan options * Dental and Vision Plan options * Employee Assistance Program (EAP) * Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for medical and dependent care * Life Insurance and AD&D * Short-Term and Long-Term Disability * Accident, Critical Illness, and Indemnity Insurance * ID Theft Protection * Comprehensive 401(k) retirement plan with company match * Long-Term Care Insurance * Vacation, Sick, & Volunteer Time * Tuition Aid Program