Global Automation Expert (m / f / d) - Qualitätsmanagement, IT

Your responsibilities

• Define and drive the global strategy for manufacturing automation with focus on welding & brazing automation incl. analyzing existing solutions as well as standardisation

Work with site manufacturing engineering teams and automation vendors / integrators to :

• specify and procure robotic welding / brazing systems
• propose implementation strategy per site with focus on implementation
• commission, qualify and validate those systems (including weld procedure qualification, brazing parameter qualification, robot path programming, cycle time analysis, changeover optimisation).
• develop and maintain standardised welding / brazing process documentation across sites
• Ensure welding / brazing automation solutions meet required quality standards, internal specifications and external codes as well as safety / ergonomic requirements for cobot / robot interactions.
• Act as subject expert for automation technology: train and mentor site engineers / technicians, support root‑cause analysis of welding / brazing / automation issues, lead site audits of welding‑automation readiness.
• Collaborate with supply chain and maintenance functions to ensure spare part strategy, downtime minimisation and preventive maintenance programmes
• Lead business‑case development and CAPEX justification for automation investments in welding / brazing; partner with finance and global manufacturing engineering leadership.
• Drive global standardisation and benchmarking: collect best practices from all sites, benchmark automation progress, recommend and deploy global CAPEX projects to elevate welding / brazing automation maturity.

Your profile

• Master’s degree in Automation Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, , Welding Engineering or equivalent.
• Certification in welding engineering (e.g., Certified Welding Engineer or CWB‑WE) is a plus.
• Extensive (typically 8‑15 years) hands‑on experience in industrial automation or research institutes concentrating on automation.
• Deep technical knowledge of welding (MIG, TIG, MAG, Sub‑Arc, etc) and brazing (e.g., vacuum brazing, flux brazing, induction brazing) processes, including material‑joint types, metallurgy, fixtures, weld / braze parameter development, weld codes / standards.
• Familiarity with factory automation frameworks such as Industry 4.0, digital twin, smart robotics, machine vision.
• Strong project management and change‑management skills: capable of leading cross‑functional teams across multiple manufacturing sites and geographies.
• Excellent data‑driven mindset: use metrics and analytics to drive decisions, benchmark performance and report on ROI, OEE, quality, cost savings.
• Excellent communication skills (English written and oral), able to present to senior leadership, influence and convince stakeholders globally and build consensus.
• Travel readiness to visit manufacturing plants worldwide (minimum 50%).