Principal Systems Standards Engineer
About this role
Daifuku is hiring a Principal Systems Standards Engineer, full-time, on-site in Grand Rapids, MI, in the INDUSTRIAL sector.
Overview
The Principal Systems Standards Engineer serves as the organization's highest-level authority for material handling system architecture, engineering standards, and design governance. This role is responsible for developing, maintaining, and continuously improving the engineering frameworks, design methodologies, and technical standards used across all customer projects.
This position establishes scalable and repeatable system design practices that improve solution quality, reduce engineering effort, enhance project execution, and support the company's long-term technology strategy.
As a senior technical leader, this position provides mentorship and guidance to engineering teams, evaluates emerging technologies, approves significant deviations from established standards, and ensures consistency in the design and implementation of automation solutions across the enterprise.
Responsibilities
Essential Functions
Develop, maintain, and govern company-wide standards for material handling system design.
Establish standard system architectures, design methodologies, and engineering best practices.
Create engineering design guides, reference architectures, and reusable solution frameworks.
Define acceptable design practices and technical requirements for automation systems.
Review complex system designs and provide technical guidance to ensure alignment with established standards, performance objectives, and customer requirements???
Evaluate, approve, and document deviations from established engineering standards while assessing associated technical, operational, and business risks.
Lead periodic reviews and continuous improvement of engineering standards.
Drive standardization initiatives that improve engineering efficiency and project execution.
Analyze project lessons learned and incorporate findings into engineering standards.
Supports the distribution of standards through Codex initiative.
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to Systems Engineers, Engineering teams, and Applications teams
Evaluate emerging automation technologies and industry trends.
Monitor, interpret, and maintain expertise in applicable industry standards, codes, regulations, and strategic customer technical specifications, ensuring engineering standards and design practices remain current and compliant.
Support product development and strategic technology roadmaps.
Develop enterprise-level KPI metrics to measure project performance in order to evaluate effectiveness of engineering standards.
Qualifications
Education and Experience Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical discipline
Minimum of 10 years of experience in material handling automation, intralogistics, warehouse automation, or related industries.
Extensive experience designing and integrating complex material handling systems.
CAD experience
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Requirements
Expert knowledge of material handling automation systems and technologies.
Advanced system architecture and systems integration expertise.
Strong engineering standards development and technical governance capabilities.
Proficiency in WMS, WCS, WES, controls, and software integration concepts.
Ability to lead complex system design reviews and technical risk assessments.
Exceptional system-level troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
Ability to develop scalable, modular, and repeatable engineering solutions.
Proven ability to drive engineering standardization and continuous improvement initiatives.
Strong technical leadership and influence across multidisciplinary teams.
Ability to evaluate emerging technologies and develop technology roadmaps.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
Ability to mentor and develop engineering talent.
Strong strategic thinking and business acumen.
Ability to balance innovation, risk, cost, and operational requirements.
Ability to make sound technical decisions and provide enterprise-wide engineering leadership.
Benefit Information
Many great benefits to include Health/Vision/Dental/401k with match/Pet Insurance
FSA/HSA
Employee Assistance Program
EOE Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans
Federal Contractor
If you need assistance applying to an open position online, please email HR-ILUS@daifukuna.com
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Description from Daifuku's official posting. Always confirm details on the company careers page.
About Daifuku
Daifuku
Company in the mobility sector tracked nightly on the Mobility Jobs board.
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About Larry Sherwood Jr.
Talent Acquisition Leader specializing in mobility, EV, and frontier tech. 1,000+ hires across roles ranging from production technicians to VPs, including 48 hires for the AFEELA U.S. launch at Sony Honda Mobility (98% offer acceptance, $1.5M+ agency savings). SHRM-CP certified. Build recruiting functions from scratch, no agencies.
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