Ryan Tingle has spent over a decade at AMT, starting as a fresh college grad and rising to Automation Engineer Lead. Read about how he balances cutting-edge technology, team leadership, and family life.
In today’s piece, we’re thrilled to shine the spotlight on Ryan Tingle, AMT’s Automation Engineer Lead. Ryan has spent over 12 years at AMT, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a type of project he hasn’t touched. From cutting-edge robotics systems to mentoring the next generation of engineers, Ryan’s career has been defined by diverse projects and a love for solving tough problems.
Ryan’s journey with AMT began fresh out of Lake Superior State University in 2012, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering. From the beginning, Ryan found himself working on a wide range of projects, starting as a “road dog” and working with companies like Schneider Packaging, ATW, and Calvary Automation. He built his expertise in PLCs, robotics, and vision systems along the way, working on everything from material handling systems to advanced robotics.
One project that had a major impact on Ryan’s career was his work at Calvary Automation, where he helped build a system to palletize and depalletize catalytic converter cores. “That project taught me lessons I’ve carried with me ever since,” Ryan recalled. “It wasn’t just about the technical skills—it was about learning how to become a better engineer.”
By late 2015, Ryan had been promoted to Senior Automation Engineer at AMT, taking on leadership responsibilities while working on vision and robotic systems with companies like Yaskawa and Paslin. His work ranged from material handling to his first experience with MIG welding, further broadening his technical expertise.
If you’re a car buff, you’ve likely seen the results of Ryan’s work without even realizing it. He contributed to the 2018 rollout of the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra, where he worked on the underbody sealer lines using Fanuc M2000 “Roboveyors” to automate key processes. His experience also extends to Harley-Davidson, where he developed palletizing and vision systems for engine assembly, deepening his expertise in automotive automation.
As Ryan’s career progressed, his focus shifted from speed to precision. His time in aerospace, where getting things done right took priority over tight deadlines, showed him a different angle of automation. “The culture change in aerospace was huge—getting things done exactly to spec became much more important than getting them done as quickly as possible” Ryan said. This quality-focused mindset has influenced how he approaches projects today.
But for Ryan, it’s not just the outcome of a project that matters; seeing the entire process from beginning to end is what truly inspires him in his work. “The most satisfying part of my job is approaching a challenging process, writing some logic, testing it out, and watching the product fly once everything starts up,” he said. “Seeing the whole process come together is what makes it all worth it.” Ryan’s ability (and eagerness) to take on complex challenges head on, with a focus on both precision and efficiency, is one of the things that AMT values most about him as an engineer and a leader.
After several years working on high-profile projects on the road, Ryan returned to AMT in 2018 and quickly became an essential part of the team. His loyalty to AMT runs deep, having been with the company since graduating from college. Now, as the Automation Engineer Lead, Ryan spends more time moving roadblocks for his engineers and mentoring the next generation than behind a keyboard writing code.
"In his 12 years at AMT, you'd be hard-pressed to find a type of project Ryan hasn’t worked on. His broad experience, combined with his relentless drive to improve processes and learn new things, makes him a key figure in our success,” said AMT Director of Engineering Ben Kurth. “What truly stands out, though, is his selfless leadership—Ryan always puts the team’s success first, ensuring that everyone is set up for success while delivering top-notch results for our customers. His commitment and perseverance make him an invaluable asset to AMT."
When he’s not leading automation projects or mentoring young engineers, Ryan is all about family. He and his wife Diane recently celebrated their 10-year anniversary, and their twins, Gavin and Alyvia, born in February 2023, keep them busy. Watching his children grow is a constant source of joy for Ryan.
In his downtime, Ryan is a big Detroit sports fan, supporting the Lions, Tigers, and Red Wings. He also enjoys golfing whenever he gets the chance, and his well-known “power fade” always keeps the game interesting.
We know from his work at AMT that Ryan loves a challenge. This extends to his personal life as well where he enjoys game hunting, finding the call and response aspect of wild turkey hunting to be particularly exhilarating. When the Michigan winters cooperate, Ryan can also be found lacing up his skates to play pond hockey with old friends.
Ryan’s journey from new college grad to Automation Engineer Lead has been filled with challenges, growth, and a constant push to learn and solve problems. And as he continues to lead his team at AMT, there’s no doubt that his next chapter will be as exciting as the last!