Gary — Automation Engineer

Glass decking cell.

London, ON – Engineering Dept. • Provide technical direction and leadership for a team of up to 17 full-time, interns and contractors for robot programming, commissioning, and startup support across customer sites (Canada/USA/Europe) • Triage urgent field issues and lead root-cause troubleshooting (robot/PLC/HMI/safety), coordinating onsite + remote support to restore production • Develop and enforce controls/robot programming standards, best practices, and documentation for consistent delivery and maintainability across projects • Mentor controls specialists and technical leads on commissioning discipline, debug methods, FAT planning and validation, and robust recovery strategies • Review system architectures (interlocks, safety, sequencing, recovery etc.) and coach teams toward clean, testable code and reliable startup performance • Coordinate skills/capacity across global Convergix teams to align the right technical talent to the right project problems • Track project execution at a technical level (risk mitigation, scope creep, commissioning timelines etc.) and communicate status to directors, PM's and other stakeholders

London, ON – Programming Dept. • Lead a team of automation programmers up to 25 full-time programmers, leaders and interns • Set technical direction for robot/PLC programming deliverables, commissioning readiness, and troubleshooting practices across multiple projects • Establish and maintain programming standards, reusable templates, and "definition of done" checklists to improve code quality and startup efficiency • Lead continuous-improvement initiatives focused on startup speed, debug efficiency, reliability, and long-term serviceability • Mentor senior project leads and programmers on robot best practices (structure, recovery, alarms, safety validation, documentation) • Support complex onsite commissioning issues—hands-on diagnosis of sequencing faults, zoning, vision issues, and mechanical/electrical field integration obstacles • Monitor and report monthly on labour capacity, department KPI, budget adherence

London, ON – Engineering Dept. • Programming Project Lead for assigned projects—developed and debugged robot code off-line and on-line, supported onsite commissioning, and drove customer buyoff • Encourage cross training on projects to share the knowledge of more senior programmers with junior and intermediate programmers • Oversee every project. Maintain continual communication with team members and offer assistance as required • Provide 3-month and annual performance reviews • Provide coaching when a team member is performing below their potential • Talent search by screening resumes and participating in interviews • Devise and implement strategies, standards, and rules to ensure consistent and efficient workflow within the Robot Programming group, and also between the Robot Programming group and other disciplines • Energetically participate in a mentorship program. (I am honored at the opportunity to help mold a young person's career path)

Strathroy, ON – Engineering Dept. • Creation of a robot programming standard for 4 different Meridian plants • Robot safety circuit design and FSU improvements for human and machine safety • Setup and debug of Motosight 2D vision systems and conveyor controls • PLC – robot interlock design and improvements • EOAT and cable management design and improvements • Stockroom setup and streamlining of robot related spare parts • Training of maintenance and production team members for robotic applications • Continuous Improvements and Lean initiatives to optimize OEE, such as robot crash prevention, robot auto-recovery, motion clean-up and cycletime improvements, part sensing and tracking • Design and implementation of an annual complete robotic PM schedule • Maintenance support for advanced robotic troubleshooting and repair

Ridgetown, ON – Maintenance Dept. • Debugging and reprogramming of "Take Over Business" robotic GMAW cells • Maintenance support for Robotic and PLC troubleshooting • Design and implement improvements to wire feed systems for GMAW cells • Training of maintenance and Set-up Personnel for weld touch-ups • Continuous improvement projects

St. Thomas, ON • Production support of the Body Division welding department • Troubleshoot RSW problems and Zembara follow-up • Improve robotic GMAW installations to reduce manpower in manual operations • Experience with Medar weld timers, Motoman and Fanuc servoguns, Stillwater and Lutz tip dressers

JAlliston, ON – Parameter Team • Production support of the Body Division welding department • Troubleshoot RSW problems and Zembara follow-up • Improve robotic GMAW installations to reduce manpower in manual operations • Experience with Medar weld timers, Motoman and Fanuc servoguns, Stillwater and Lutz tip dressers

St. Thomas, ON – Maintenance Dept. • Advanced troubleshooting and maintenance support of the entire robot fleet on shift • Participate in the design of new or upgraded installations • Develop base robot files and programming templates for the company's machine build standards • Experience with many industry communication protocols: ABRIO, ControlNet, Devicenet, Ethernet, and Profibus • Teardown and rebuilds of all in-house models of Fanuc robot arms • Installation and maintenance of the robot auto-backup network • Training of maintenance and production personnel for robotic welding applications • R&D of the production capabilities for new welding equipment, i.e. deposition efficiency, reliability etc. • Robot/welding power source digital and analog interface experience. (Fanuc vs. Lincoln, Panasonic, Hitachi, ESAB, and Miller) • Support continuous improvement initiatives to promote safety, quality, and throughput

St. Thomas, ON – QA Dept. • Supervision of welding department on shift • Perform lab duties and compile results for PPAP submittal • Oversee robotic programming for new processes and engineering changes on existing processes • Customer and Supplier liaising

St. Thomas, ON – QA Dept. • Responsible for ensuring weld quality on GM truck frames • Perform R&D for new welding consumables and base material • Design and implement robotic welding procedures • Program/touch-up robots for various welding processes • Development and implementation of continuous improvement initiatives • De-bug new automated assembly lines and sub-assemblies • Audit and continually update QS9000 documentation • Investigate part fit-up and tooling issues causing welding concerns