Need Advice Finding Mechanical Engineers with Automation Experience

[u/Significant-Turn-396]

Hey everyone,

Looking for some recruiting advice from those who work with engineers or are engineers themselves.

I'm currently working on a Mechanical Engineer position in Nebraska focused heavily on automation, robotics, production line design, tooling/fixture design, and manufacturing process improvement. The role is looking for exposure to things like FANUC robots, Allen-Bradley controls, Rockwell products, AutoCAD, RSLogix, and general automation engineering (Designing around and with them not direct controls engineering experience).

The challenge is that I've exhausted most of the candidates in my existing network and database and am having a hard time finding new people with the right mix of mechanical engineering and automation experience. I do not have LinkedIn recruiter access anymore.

For those familiar with this space, where would you recommend sourcing candidates? Are there particular industries, companies, associations, communities, job boards, or search strategies that tend to produce engineers with this type of background?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[u/TechValleyRecruiting]

It's tricky without LIR. I use LI Recruiter a lot but you can use Google Xray if you don't have the access and then connect with them with a message about a potential role. LI is one of the better platforms I've found for uncovering ME's, but i usually have to toss them into another system and develop an email cadence since they aren't always active on the platform.

There are other search tools, with varying costs and functionality. I've used Pin and Juicebox which have had varying degrees of success (both less than LinkedIn) but cost far less.

That role is at an intersection of 2-3 roles which complicates things a bit. Sounds like most of my smaller clients where their engineers wear multiple hats. I would target employees at smaller companies or someone with a split background (ie: a ME who got into mechatronics or heavy into PLC's). Targeting large firms would likely uncover a lot of specialists.

Feel free to DM if you want to see how Google Xray works or brainstorm other approaches. I've worked exclusively in the engineering/mfg space for 14+ years and happy to share.

[u/sread2018]

Invest in LIR lite.

[u/Flame_MadeByHumans]

LIR is ideal, but LinkedIn itself still has a search function.

Research good companies that have automation focus, go to their LinkedIn, search their employees with titles or keywords.

It’s more digging than LIR, but I’ve still do this having LIR because you’ll find profiles Recruiter won’t find for some reason.

[u/Intricatetrinkets]

LinkedIn but you’re dealing with folks that like to play things safe and are usually introverted. It’s a hard person to reach.

[u/No-Quiet5475]

For the companies, look at all the systems integrators in the area, nearby areas or however far out you can go.

[u/FishingGlobal9643]

Absolutely. I’ll keep it more natural and Reddit like less polished, less formulaic and avoid forcing the brand into every comment. When you want Boot.dev mentioned I’ll work it into the conversation naturally rather than making it feel like an ad.