Position Summary...What you'll do...Senior Manager, Automation Engineering - Detailed Design (DPS) Location: Bentonville, AR (15-30% travel)
Req #: R-2463569
About the Role This is a newly created, high-impact leadership role within Walmart's supply chain transformation, focused on shaping the strategy and design of Regional Distribution Centers (RDCs)-large-scale, ambient (non-refrigerated) facilities that support the flow of general merchandise to stores.
Reporting to the Director of Automation Design, this role sits within a strategy-driven team responsible for defining how automation, facility design, and real-world operations integrate at scale. This is not a traditional CAD or detailed drafting role. Instead, it emphasizes strategic facility design, data-driven decision-making, and cross-functional influence.
You will play a critical role in defining how next-generation automation solutions, including Symbotic systems, are deployed into live, operating environments-often while facilities remain fully functional. Success in this role requires a strong point of view, comfort with ambiguity, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders across the enterprise.
About the Team The Automation Design team functions as a strategic partner across Walmart's supply chain organization, focused on how emerging technologies are designed, integrated, and executed in real-world operations.
- Partners closely with construction teams, automation vendors, and internal stakeholders
- Collaborates with external architects for detailed engineering execution
- Focused on optimizing associate experience, operational efficiency, and throughput
- Specializes in complex automation retrofits within active facilities ("build while operating")
Key Responsibilities 1. Strategy & Network Design - Define optimal RDC capacity, layout, and space utilization strategies to improve throughput and efficiency
- Analyze operational and performance data to identify improvement opportunities and inform design decisions
- Develop facility layout, automation placement, and material flow strategies
- Evaluate multiple design scenarios and recommend the best path forward based on data, constraints, and business priorities
- Contribute to long-term network design and capital investment strategy
2. Automation Design & Project Delivery - Lead planning and integration of automation retrofits within active distribution centers
- Define automation footprint including layout, equipment placement, and operational flow design
- Ensure solutions are scalable, executable, and aligned with real-world operational constraints
- Own project lifecycle from concept through implementation, including scope definition, sequencing, and execution planning
- Manage timelines, tradeoffs, risks, and cross-functional dependencies
- Coordinate closely with vendors, engineering partners, and internal execution teams
3. Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving - Translate business and operational challenges into clear, actionable design strategies
- Anticipate downstream operational impacts and proactively resolve design risks
- Evaluate tradeoffs across cost, speed, complexity, and performance
- Operate effectively in ambiguous, loosely defined environments with evolving requirements
4. Stakeholder Influence & Communication - Partner with Operations, Engineering, Construction, IT, and external vendors to align on strategy and execution
- Influence decisions without direct authority by clearly articulating rationale and business impact
- Develop and deliver executive-level presentations and strategic recommendations
- Communicate complex technical and operational concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
- Document design decisions, assumptions, and implementation plans to ensure alignment across teams
What You'll Bring - Strong strategic mindset with the ability to develop and defend a clear point of view
- Exceptional problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Ability to translate complex data into actionable operational and design insights
- Strong executive communication and storytelling ability
- Proven success working across functions and influencing stakeholders without direct authority
- Comfort operating in ambiguity and driving clarity in undefined problem spaces
At Walmart, we offer competitive pay as well as performance-based bonus awards and other great benefits for a happier mind, body, and wallet. Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage. Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance. Paid time off benefits include PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting. Other benefits include short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more.
You will also receive PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes. The amount you receive depends on your job classification and length of employment. It will meet or exceed the requirements of paid sick leave laws, where applicable.
For information about PTO, see
Live Better U is a Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam's Club facilities. Programs range from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to a specific plan or program terms.
For information about benefits and eligibility, see One.Walmart.
The annual salary range for this position is $110,000.00 - $220,000.00
Additional compensation includes annual or quarterly performance bonuses.
Additional compensation for certain positions may also include :
- Stock
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Minimum Qualifications...Outlined below are the required minimum qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no minimum qualifications.
Option 1: Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field and 4 years' experience in Engineering, supply chain, or a related area. Option 2: 6
years' experience in Engineering, supply chain, or a related area.
2 years' supervisory experience.
Preferred Qualifications...Outlined below are the optional preferred qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no preferred qualifications.
Masters: Computer Engineering
Primary Location...805 Respect, Bentonville, AR 72716, United States of America
Walmart and its subsidiaries are committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and has a no tolerance policy regarding the use of illegal drugs and alcohol on the job. This policy applies to all employees and aims to create a safe and productive work environment.
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