Manufacturing Automation and Technical Lead

Location: Guelph, Ontario

Position: Permanent, full-time; primarily on-site

Company: PolyLink Solutions Inc.

Expected base salary: C$80,000–C$110,000 annually, depending on relevant experience and qualifications

PolyLink Solutions manufactures custom vacuum thermoformed plastic and compression-molded rubber products. We also participate in engineered protective packaging projects. As we modernize equipment and prepare for growth, we are building the internal technical capability needed to support our operations for the long term.

We are seeking an experienced Manufacturing Automation and Technical Lead to take ownership of manufacturing engineering, automation, and technical process improvement across our thermoforming and compression rubber molding operations. This is a permanent position with a mandate extending beyond our current equipment projects.

Your immediate priorities

- Lead technical planning, supplier coordination, installation, commissioning, and production handover for a major thermoforming equipment retrofit.
- Lead manufacturing integration and commissioning of new rubber-processing equipment, including layout, utilities, controls interfaces, operating procedures, data capture, and acceptance testing.
- Assess compression rubber molding processes and identify improvements in tooling, material flow, cycle time, consistency, capacity, quality, and cost.
- Work with an experienced thermoforming process and tooling lead to capture critical equipment, tooling, and process knowledge.
- Establish requirements, schedules, technical risks, acceptance criteria, and handover documentation for equipment projects.

Your ongoing responsibilities

- Own and improve manufacturing engineering activities for thermoforming and compression rubber molding, including bills of materials, routings, process specifications, work instructions, equipment documentation, and engineering change control.
- Lead automation and process improvements that increase throughput and repeatability while reducing scrap, downtime, and cost.
- Coordinate controls programming, robotics, machine interfaces, production monitoring,



and shop-floor data collection with internal staff and external specialists.
- Improve the connection between part and tooling design and production equipment, including CAD data, fixtures, programming workflows, scanning, and prototype methods where useful.
- Experience connecting CAD data to CAM, robotics, scanning, or 3D printing workflows.
- Partner with Design, Operations, Quality, and Product Development on manufacturability, DFMA, tooling requirements, new product introduction, and production readiness.
- Participate in EPP and EPS projects when needed, defining or reviewing technical requirements, manufacturability, specifications, testing needs, and production interfaces in collaboration with the facilities and specialists responsible for those processes.
- Develop technical standards and training materials so significant knowledge is retained within PolyLink.
- Mentor developing technical talent and help build a sustainable internal engineering function.
- Evaluate equipment and technologies, prepare technical business cases, and measure the results of implemented improvements.

You will coordinate suppliers and technical specialists while remaining accountable for integration and production readiness within PolyLink’s operations. Specialist thermoforming decisions will be developed with experienced process and tooling personnel. Product Development will define product and formulation requirements for the rubber program; this role will lead its manufacturing equipment and process implementation.

What you bring

- Substantial hands-on experience in manufacturing engineering, industrial automation, equipment integration, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated ownership of a significant equipment installation, retrofit, or automation project through commissioning and stable production.




- Working knowledge of mechanical systems, industrial controls, PLC-based equipment, and equipment integration in an operating plant.
- Hands-on experience with 3D CAD software, such as SOLIDWORKS or a comparable system, including the ability to interpret and revise part, tooling, and fixture models; create practical manufacturing designs and drawings; and manage design changes through production.
- Experience developing BOMs, routings, process documentation, technical standards, and change control.
- Strong troubleshooting, project leadership, supplier management, and communication skills.
- The ability to work effectively on the production floor and with leadership.

A degree in mechanical, electrical, mechatronics, manufacturing, or a related discipline is preferred. An Ontario Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) licence is ideal, but candidates with strong relevant experience are encouraged to apply. Experience with thermoforming, compression rubber molding, robotics, or design-to-production integration is an asset.

Why join PolyLink

You will lead meaningful equipment projects and have an ongoing role in shaping how PolyLink designs, documents, automates, and manufactures its products. We intend this position to be a long-term part of our technical leadership team, with scope to grow as our operations expand.

To apply: Send your résumé to [email protected] and briefly describe an equipment or automation project you led from planning through commissioning and production handover.

Vacancy status: This posting is for a current vacancy.

Use of AI in recruitment: PolyLink may use AI tools to help organize applications and assist with initial review. Our team reviews candidates and makes all assessment, interview, and hiring decisions.

PolyLink Solutions is an equal opportunity employer.

To learn more about PolyLink Solutions and our manufacturing capabilities, please visit www.polylinksolutions.com.www.polylinksolutions.com

Pay: $80,000.00-$110,000.00 per year

Benefits

- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- RRSP match

Work Location: In person

📌 Manufacturing Automation and Technical Lead (Guelph)
🏢 Polylink Solutions
📍 Guelph