Site Manager / Construction & Commissioning Lead - Body-in-White Automation
No salary listed
Senior
Bachelor's
Fremont, CA, USA
In Person100% onsite in Fremont; weekend work and overtime may be required.
Manufacturing & Production Operations
About the job
Requirements
- A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or a related technical field is required; equivalent practical experience may be considered.
- At least 5–8 years of experience in automotive manufacturing, industrial automation, body shop construction, installation, or commissioning is required.
- Demonstrated experience as a Site Manager, Construction Manager, Commissioning Lead, or in a similar technical project leadership role is required.
- Proven experience managing the installation and commissioning of automated production equipment in an automotive manufacturing environment is required.
- Valid authorization to work in the United States is required.
- A valid OSHA 30-Hour certification is required.
- Strong knowledge of mechanical and electrical installation processes for automated manufacturing systems is required.
- Hands-on experience with industrial robotics, particularly KUKA robot systems, is required.
- Understanding of PLC-controlled automation systems, robot programming interfaces, and industrial communication networks, including PROFINET and Industrial Ethernet, is required.
- Experience coordinating robot integration, calibration, tooling installation, and commissioning activities is required.
- Ability to manage project schedules, critical-path activities, resources, and technical dependencies under tight deadlines is required.
- Strong leadership and coordination skills across mechanical, electrical, controls, robotics, and commissioning teams are required.
- A solid understanding of industrial safety requirements, EHS procedures, and safe commissioning practices is required.
- Ability to troubleshoot technical issues, coordinate corrective actions, and drive timely resolution of project risks is required.
- Very good written and verbal English communication skills are required.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure automotive production environment and meet demanding project deadlines is required.
- Ability to perform physical work that may include sitting, standing, reaching, kneeling, bending, and lifting up to 25 pounds is required.
- Ability to understand and comply with all relevant safety practices is required.
Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate all mechanical and electrical installation, construction, and commissioning activities for automated Body-in-White production systems.
- Manage multidisciplinary teams, including mechanical installation, electrical installation, robotics, PLC programming, and commissioning personnel.
- Develop, monitor, and control project schedules, ensuring adherence to key milestones and the critical project path.
- Coordinate the installation and integration of 18 industrial robots, including 8 LHD, 8 RHD, and 2 RUB applications.
- Oversee the installation of robot pedestals, turntables, geometric and rework welding fixtures, gripper systems, safety fencing, cable trays, and utility connections.
- Coordinate the integration of resistance spot-welding equipment, adhesive application systems, material-handling equipment, and automated fastening systems.
- Manage interfaces between engineering, construction, commissioning, and production teams to ensure seamless project execution.
- Coordinate PLC and robot programming activities, industrial communication interfaces, and equipment commissioning.
- Oversee robot calibration, KUKA mastering using EMD equipment, welding gun calibration, and SafeMove safety configuration.
- Ensure compliance with applicable EHS requirements, site safety procedures, and construction safety standards.
- Organize and support technical inspections, equipment acceptance, functional testing, and validation activities throughout the commissioning process.
- Monitor equipment readiness, resolve installation and commissioning issues, and drive corrective actions to minimize delays.
- Support production trials, quality verification, cycle-time optimization, and production ramp-up activities.
- Conduct daily project coordination meetings and provide regular progress reports, including schedule status, risks, open issues, and mitigation measures.
- Ensure timely project handover and operational readiness by the required production launch date.
Desired Qualifications
- Previous experience with automotive Body-in-White production lines and body shop automation projects is preferred.
- Experience with KUKA robot mastering using EMD equipment and SafeMove safety configuration is preferred.
- Knowledge of resistance spot welding, welding gun calibration, adhesive application systems, and automated fastening technologies is preferred.
- Experience with geometric fixtures, rework welding fixtures, turntables, grippers, and automated material-handling systems is preferred.
- Familiarity with original equipment manufacturer equipment acceptance procedures, technical status reviews, and commissioning sign-off processes is preferred.
- Experience supporting production trials, quality validation, cycle-time optimization, and Start of Production activities is preferred.
- Previous experience coordinating international installation and commissioning teams is preferred.
- Experience managing brownfield upgrades, equipment relocation, and integration activities within active or existing manufacturing facilities is preferred.
- Familiarity with structured commissioning and acceptance stages, including equipment installation verification, functional testing, safety validation, and production readiness, is preferred.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to coordinate multiple technical workstreams simultaneously are preferred.
About the company
SWJ TECHNOLOGY provides engineering, planning, and project management services to help multiple industries improve how they operate. The company creates virtual planning and structural concepts, integrates and optimizes processes, develops specifications and quality engineering, and builds validation and control plans. It supports production readiness and audit preparation, and manages tool control. It also plans tools, jigs, equipment, robotics, conveyors, as well as manual work steps and build times. The focus is on KAIZEN and Lean Integration, with an emphasis on PFEP (Plan for Every Part), staging and rack planning, supply layouts, container and packaging design, carrier concepts and route planning, KANBAN systems, and overall supply chain management. SWJ TECHNOLOGY also emphasizes training and development, offering opportunities to work on worldwide projects and grow expertise, along with competitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain employees.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Founded
2009
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- SWJ's 2026 website says it handles robotics, conveyors, validation, and production-readiness work.
- The Alabama Technology Center and USMCA headquarters show continued North American investment.
- Its 2026 member spotlight and active news pages suggest ongoing recruiting and market visibility.
What critics are saying
- SWJ Technology disclosed no funding, headcount, or customer wins in 2026 public materials.
- Its public news pages look stale after January 18, 2026, weakening employer transparency.
- Manufacturing consulting faces direct substitution from OEM in-house teams and larger integrators like SWJ Germany.
What makes SWJ TECHNOLOGY unique
- SWJ Technology sells engineering, planning, and project management together, not standalone staffing.
- Its KAIZEN, Lean Integration, and PFEP focus ties design directly to factory execution.
- The company operates across Alabama, Michigan, Georgia, and Canada from Tuscaloosa headquarters.
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Benefits
- Hybrid Work Options