Senior Manager, Automation Engineering, Ambient First Mile Design

Walmart Walmart · Retail · Bentonville, AR

This role focuses on designing automation and process solutions for Walmart's first mile network, aiming to increase capacity and improve freight flow. It involves end-to-end ownership from solution design to project approval, requiring collaboration with various internal and external stakeholders. The role emphasizes developing MHE concepts, detailed designs, and business cases for capital investments, leveraging data analysis to identify constraints and opportunities. While it involves working with complex automated systems, the core function is engineering design and process improvement within the supply chain, not direct AI/ML model development or deployment.

What you'd actually do

  1. Lead ambient first mile design and solutioning for accelerated consolidation volume injection, helping Walmart bring more inbound volume under network control.
  2. Define automated design requirements that support higher throughput, better flow, and scalable capacity creation across first mile operations.
  3. Develop material handling equipment (MHE) concepts and detailed design solutions that enable the network to process additional volume quickly and effectively.
  4. Evaluate how new and existing assets can be leveraged to stand up capacity in a fast, practical, and cost-conscious way.
  5. Design end-to-end solutions that account for the interaction of mechanical systems, controls, software, and operational processes.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, such as mechanical, structural, chemical, computer, or a related field, or equivalent experience in automation design, material handling, supply chain, or fulfillment environments.
  • Experience as an automation design engineer supporting large-scale projects and capital spend.
  • Proven ability to work through ambiguity, define the problem, and build practical solutions in fast-moving environments.
  • Strong cross-functional collaboration skills and a track record of delivering results through partnership.
  • Working knowledge of complex automated systems, including how mechanical equipment, controls, software, and operations come together in end-to-end solution design.
  • Experience developing automation requirements, MHE concepts, and detailed designs in distribution, fulfillment, logistics, or supply chain environments.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to evaluate network performance, assess options, and make sound recommendations.
  • Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional partners and external vendors.
  • Detail orientation, strategic thinking, and a results-driven mindset.
  • Design engineering experience in first mile, supply chain, or fulfillment networks; AutoCAD skills; and experience leveraging existing infrastructure to unlock new capacity quickly.
  • 4 years’ experience in Engineering, supply chain, or a related area (if Bachelor's degree obtained) OR 6 years’ experience in Engineering, supply chain, or a related area (if no Bachelor's degree).