Harsha Amba: Engineering scalable automation for the next-gen supply chain

It all started with a microcontroller in college. 

Harsha Amba remembers the moment he realized that technology wasn’t just about making machines run—it was about making them learn, adapt, and improve. That spark of curiosity set him on the path to becoming one of the foremost experts in automation and robotics.

Today, Harsha stands at the top of his field. As Senior Manager of Automation & Robotics Engineering at a leading U.S. supply chain organization, he is widely respected for designing and scaling intelligent systems that blend hardware, software, and strategy. His work has reshaped fulfillment operations, earning awards and setting new benchmarks.

“What fascinated me,” he recalls, “wasn’t just how machines moved, but how they could learn, adapt, and scale across different environments.” That fascination has since evolved into a career dedicated to building resilient, data-driven, people-centered systems that drive performance at scale.

From PLCs to platform thinking

Harsha began his career 2015 as a Controls Engineer, designing PLC-based systems for high-speed production lines. He then moved into retail logistics, focusing on conveyor automation and robotic picking. These years shaped his approach, aligning machine logic with staffing, volume, and infrastructure constraints.

By 2019, Amba became a manager of Automation Engineering at a top-tier American company specializing in office supply retail and distribution, leading teams to deploy Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) and AI-powered flow optimization. “Scaling automation isn’t just about hardware—it’s about aligning IT, operations, and engineering,” he says.

Key achievements: Redefining fulfillment at scale

In early 2024, Amba led the deployment of the company’s first AI-integrated robotics system, transforming fulfillment. The new system reduced order processing time by 30%, improved throughput by 25%, and decreased manual material handling by 40%. Once overwhelmed by heavy lifting and time pressure, operators saw a shift as robots took over repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on higher-value work. Predictive maintenance minimized downtime and helped the team keep pace with seasonal surges.

Deep technical fluency, broad strategic vision

Amba combines hands-on expertise with a strategic mindset. He’s proficient in:

• PLC programming (Rockwell, Siemens): PLCs are like machines’ brains, ensuring everything works in sync.
  
• Robotics middleware (ROS, Beckhoff TwinCAT): This software acts as a translator, helping robots communicate and collaborate seamlessly.
  
• Machine vision systems (Cognex, Keyence): The robot’s eyes enable it to recognize and react to objects.
  
• Controls architecture for multi-robot orchestration: Like a coach guiding robots to work together.

He connects these technologies into efficient systems that drive results.

Overcoming constraints in legacy environments

Amba often faced the challenge of retrofitting automation into older facilities that weren’t originally designed. Reconfiguring layouts and integrating new technologies with decades-old systems required creativity. But the real challenge was the skepticism around trusting machines to make decisions.

“Introducing AI and robotics isn’t just about tech; it’s about reassuring people,” Amba says. “You have to explain not just how it works, but why it empowers the workforce, not replaces it.”

This mindset shaped his collaborative, improvement-focused leadership style.

Educational foundation and lifelong learning

Amba holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, where he focused on automation and control systems. His graduate research on adaptive motion control in logistics robotics planted the seeds for his future in warehouse automation. He also pursued certifications in AI integration and systems engineering and continues to attend conferences and workshops.

“Education is more than credentials—it’s how I stay relevant. Emerging technologies like edge computing and digital twins are redefining what’s possible in automation. Staying ahead means staying curious.”

Leading with vision and purpose

Amba leads a national team of robotics, controls, and mechanical engineers in his current role. He manages the company’s capital project portfolio, evaluates emerging technologies, and ensures that every system deployed is scalable, resilient, and aligned with business objectives.

He envisions autonomous supply networks that self-optimize using AI and real-time data, reducing waste and increasing adaptability. He is actively exploring digital twins and edge architecture to simulate flow scenarios before deployment, minimizing risk and accelerating innovation cycles.

Leadership that builds culture, not just systems

A project that best reflects Amba’s leadership style was the 2023 AMR deployment across multiple regional facilities. The defining factor wasn’t tech—it was collaboration. “We unified engineering, ops, and IT into one team. Every engineer had a voice. Every facility had ownership. That’s the culture I believe in.”

His leadership philosophy is rooted in ethical innovation, clarity of purpose, and systems thinking. He inspires himself by quoting NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson: “Like what you do, and then you will do your best.”

The road ahead

Harsha Amba’s trajectory is defined by momentum, not maintenance. Widely regarded as a top-tier engineer in automation and robotics, he has already reached the pinnacle of his field in the U.S., recognized for both technical innovation and enterprise-scale impact.

 His aspiration is clear: to sustain a top position nationally and become a global leader in automation strategy, shaping standards and building the future of logistics at the intersection of robotics, AI, and enterprise systems. “My mission is to build intelligent systems that elevate people—not replace them,” he says.

With unmatched fluency in engineering and strategy, Harsha isn’t just keeping up with the future of automation—he’s helping define it.

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