Automation Engineer

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction to production and technical teams, emphasizing team development, effective communication, accountability, and execution of operational priorities.
• Lead daily team meetings to communicate production requirements, process changes, performance expectations, and improvement initiatives.
• Establish performance standards, provide timely feedback, conduct employee evaluations, and address performance concerns as needed.
• Support workforce development by partnering with training resources to ensure employees are properly trained and cross-trained.
• Develop and manage efficient work schedules, monitor overtime, and allocate resources to meet operational demands and production goals.
• Drive Lean principles, continuous improvement initiatives, and operational excellence, with a focus on improving safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Design, implement, troubleshoot, and improve automation systems, controls hardware and software, robotics, PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, sensors, drives, and related equipment.
• Support automated equipment throughout its lifecycle, including concept development, installation, integration, validation, production launch, and ongoing maintenance.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and EHS to resolve equipment issues, reduce downtime, and improve process reliability and performance.
• Analyze equipment performance data, process trends, and operational metrics to identify root causes, implement corrective actions, and drive sustainable improvements.
• Support equipment design reviews, capital projects, process changes, automation upgrades, and change management activities.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, including controls drawings, operating procedures, troubleshooting guides, and validation records.
• Ensure adherence to applicable safety standards, quality requirements, regulatory expectations, and established operating procedures.
• Participate in additional operational, technical, and continuous improvement projects as business needs evolve.

Qualifications

• Master's degree with 5 years of related experience; Bachelor's degree with 6 years of related experience; or 12 years of directly related experience in lieu of a degree.
• Experience in automation engineering, controls engineering, manufacturing engineering, robotics, or industrial automation.
• Working knowledge of Allen-Bradley PLC programming, HMI/SCADA systems, ABB and/or Fanuc robotics, motion control, sensors, drives, electrical controls, and industrial automation equipment.
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting automated systems, identifying root causes, and implementing corrective actions to improve equipment uptime, reliability, and operational performance.
• Experience supporting automation projects, equipment integration, validation, design reviews, and manufacturing process improvements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data, evaluate equipment performance, and make informed decisions.
• Understanding of Lean principles, including continuous improvement (Kaizen), waste identification, standard work, and structured problem-solving.
• Ability to lead teams, manage shifting priorities, and work effectively in a collaborative, cross-functional environment.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and drive accountability.
• Demonstrated leadership qualities, including transparency, adaptability, ownership, collaboration, continuous learning, and a willingness to challenge existing processes constructively.