Job Opportunity: Design Project Leader – Fameccanica - West Chester, OH

Do you excel at turning machine concepts into manufacturable automation systems? Are you strong in technical execution design, build, testing, and delivery in fast-paced settings? Do you partner with cross-functional teams to improve reliability, cost, and assembly while ensuring quality and safety? If you answered yes, let’s talk!

The Design Project Leader is a hands‑on engineering role responsible for taking existing machine designs and turning them into reliable, manufacturable, and sellable automation solutions. This position combines strong mechanical design expertise with technical project leadership and ownership across the full execution lifecycle. The role includes up to 30% travel.

This is not an R&D or concept‑only role. The focus is on industrialization, execution, and continuous improvement of automation systems in a lean, fast‑moving environment.

What you’ll do:

• Own technical execution of automation projects from early design through build, test, and customer delivery
• Perform hands‑on mechanical design and refinement of automation and robotic systems
• Improve existing designs for manufacturability, reliability, cost, and assembly
• Lead technical coordination across engineering, manufacturing, procurement, suppliers, and customers
• Support quotation activities by providing technical input and feasibility insight
• Troubleshoot design and build issues, making sound engineering tradeoffs with quality as the top priority
• Evaluate and apply proven automation and robotics technologies to improve reliability, manufacturability and performance of existing machine designs
• Drive projects forward independently in a low‑structure environment, escalating only when appropriate
• Work directly with internal and external customers to gather requirements and translate them into technical specifications
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, safety regulations, and quality requirements

What you bring:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Robotics or Mechanical Engineering
• Proficiency in CAD and engineering design tools, with Solid Edge preferred
• Mechanical design for automation or special-purpose machinery
• Experience supporting, testing, qualification and commissioning activities a plus
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills
• Experience with industrial automation systems and manufacturing environments
• Demonstrated experience owning designs through build, test and delivery in a manufacturing environment

About Fameccanica

Fameccanica North America designs and builds advanced industrial automation solutions that help manufacturers improve production efficiency, quality, and reliability. Our team combines deep engineering expertise with a hands-on, execution-focused mindset to deliver innovative solutions for global customers.

Apply online today!

#HP

The Role

Reporting to the Packaging Manager the Engineering Technician will provide technical support and expertise in the field of automation and robotics. You will play a crucial part in ensuring the smooth operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of our automated systems and robotic equipment. You will communicate effectively with the Kao controls department, and external contractors to both reactively and proactively resolve operational issues. You will contribute to Kao's continuous improvement projects while implementing comprehensive preventative maintenance programs to optimize reliability and longevity of the manufacturing equipment and systems.

At Kao, we offer amazing benefits that are available to you on your first day of employment (healthcare, 401(k) plus company match), 36 total days off (vacation + holidays + sick) and a reasonable salary range of $30/hr. - $38/hr.

What you will do:

• Provide technical support and assistance in the installation, setup, calibration, and maintenance of automated systems and robotic equipment.
• Collaborate with engineers and other team members to design and develop automation solutions for different projects, and using DX, IoT, AI, etc. to improve reporting processes.
• Communicate with operators, controls, and OEM vendors to perform troubleshooting and diagnostics to identify and resolve technical problems, ensuring minimal downtime and maximum operational efficiency.
• Support the procurement and sourcing of automation and robotic equipment, ensuring compliance with quality standards and specifications.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, including manuals, procedures, and reports related to automation and robotic systems.
• Provide training and guidance to operators and maintenance staff on the safe and efficient operation of automated systems and robotic equipment.
• Develop and implement preventive maintenance programs for all equipment and systems, including production machinery, facilities, and utilities. While also creating and maintaining a preventive maintenance schedule, ensuring that all maintenance activities are carried out on time, and following established procedures.

What you will do:

• Associate Degree in engineering or engineering technology required.
• Mechatronics/Industrial Maintenance Certification preferred.
• Robotic certifications preferred.
• 5 years' experience with operation and maintenance of packaging line equipment or equivalent electrical/mechanical experience.
• 2+ years' experience in robotics, controls, and automation systems. Including the troubleshooting, developing, and maintaining of such systems.
• 3+ years of experience in preventative maintenance programs, including the development, training, delivery of the system.
• Must have demonstrated advanced electrical and/or mechanical troubleshooting skills for non-routine issues.
• Proficient understanding of pneumatics, hydraulics, bearings, seals, lubrication, and PLC basics.
• Must have excellent communication skills.
• Demonstrated leadership and coaching capability.
• Must be proficient with using a computer.
• Lift up to 50 lbs. on an infrequent, non-repetitive basis as required.
• Ability to climb, bend, and crouch.
• Good teamwork skills,, strict adherence to all procedures and embrace Safety and Quality.
• Ability to flex working schedule to rollout training, projects, or other requirements. This may include working any of the three defined shifts.

How we work: Having been selected among the World's Most Ethical Companies for 18 consecutive years, we are a company with a purpose and strong corporate values. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment. At Kao, each employee can actively shape their job and their career. We work collaboratively to achieve our common goals, always aiming to deliver the best for our customers.

What we offer: A friendly and flexible work environment with great compensation packages, benefits package, ongoing development and the opportunity to enhance your skills and deliver tangible results. At Kao your voice will be heard. Your opinion really counts. We believe that change comes from taking opportunities into your own hands, so we value and reward entrepreneurial thinking and innovation.

Hiring Process: Kao embraces the diversity and the individual personalities of its people because we believe it is diversity that makes us strong. This is why we welcome applications from all areas of the global community.

Want to learn more: If you feel you are as unique as our products and want to find out why 33,000 people across the globe opted for a career with us please visit our Americas website (https://www.kao.com/americas/en/).

EOE, including disability/vets

#LI-Onsite

Job Opportunity: Project Manager with Fameccanica North America in West Chester, OH

Are you ready to lead complex automation projects from concept to customer delivery? Do you thrive in fast-paced manufacturing environments? Can you turn technical challenges into successful outcomes for clients and your team? If you answered yes, we’d like to speak with you!

As Project Manager, you’ll drive execution for high-speed automation projects, leading cross-functional teams while managing multiple assignments to deliver on time to ensure customer satisfaction. Your role covers everything from confirming agreements to final site acceptance, always in line with company processes and strategy.

What You’ll Do

• Lead project/program execution to maximize cash flow and margin
• Ensure on-time delivery in line with contract and customer expectations
• Identify and propose additional opportunities within project scope
• Protect company legal rights and fulfill contractual obligations
• Communicate clearly with customers and internal teams on project status, issues, and required actions
• Apply structured risk management and problem-solving approaches
• Stimulate efficient teamwork and challenge proposals for optimal solutions

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Management, Mechanical/Electronic/Electromechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience
• 5–10 years of project management experience in manufacturing automation, robotics, or related industries
• Proven ability to lead teams and drive results in a matrix organization
• Strong integrity and commitment to company ethics and compliance
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Experience with scheduling, forecasting, and change management
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Project, Teams, and SharePoint
• Working knowledge of SAP and previous experience in international projects is a plus
• Ability to travel to client sites up to ~15%

About Us:
Fameccanica North America is a leader in industrial automation, dedicated to the design, development and manufacture of technologies, products, and services. Through our constant research and innovation activities, we aim at improving industrial processes and production for our customers. Talent applied to industrial innovation develops into care and attention: we find sustainable solutions for the benefit of our clients, consumers, and employees. Our idea of innovation starts from the present but looks to the future, in order to best meet tomorrow's challenges.

Apply online today!

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Job Purpose

The Technical Program Manager owns the planning and coordination of hardware programs focused on our additive technology and other traditionally manufactured power generation components. This role helps bridge the gap between engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, and operations—ensuring our beta-stage designs make a successful leap to production.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive the end-to-end program execution for mechanical components, from prototype validation to initial production ramp.
• Partner with mechanical design engineers and manufacturing engineers to ensure designs are manufacturable and scalable.
• Develop and maintain detailed project timelines, tracking milestones, budgets, and risk mitigation plans.
• Lead cross-functional meetings to align engineering, operations, procurement, quality assurance and external vendors around shared goals.
• Coordinate testing and validation of parts, including mechanical, thermal, and durability testing in real-world power generation applications.
• Assist in supplier sourcing, DFM (Design for Manufacturability) reviews, and process validation with AM (Additive Manufacturing) partners.  Track any ECRs resulting from modifications needed from design issues, testing, DFM or DFMEA activities.
• Report regularly to leadership on program status, blockers, and key decision points.

Project Coordination & Support:

• Deep dive into the Mechanical hardware program blocks .
• Track project milestones, tasks, and deadlines, proactively identifying, flagging potential delays or risks, and actively problem solve to mitigate the risk in the delays.
• Schedule and coordinate project meetings, including preparing agendas, taking minutes, and tracking action items.
• Support the preparation of project status reports and presentations for stakeholders.

Documentation & Information Management:

• Maintain and organize all project-related documentation, including technical specifications, engineering change management, design documents, test reports, and manufacturing procedures.
• Ensure documentation is up-to-date, accessible, and compliant with company standards.
• Assist in the development and implementation of document control processes.

Other duties as assigned may be assigned as required for this role.

Qualifications

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications include:

• Education, Experience and Certifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or related field) or a relevant technical discipline.
  •  2-5 years of experience in a project coordination, project engineering, or similar role within an engineering or manufacturing environment.
  • Experience working in a fast-paced, startup-like environment, ideally within industries such as aerospace, robotics, or other technically complex fields.
• Skills and Abilities
  • Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
  • Proactive and eager to learn with a strong work ethic.

Role Classification and Working Conditions

This is a salaried, exempt-level position. This position typically works in an office environment; and given the nature of our business is also exposed to operations/warehouses/production environments.

Physical/Other Requirements

• Ability to travel, as needed, by plane, automobile, etc.

We are not accepting candidates who require sponsorship for this position at this time.