What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Automation & Controls Engineer position at Confidental?
*** Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship. ***
Position Overview
We are seeking a highly motivated engineering professional to support the development and optimization of advanced manufacturing automation systems within a fast-paced production environment. This role will play a key part in driving operational efficiency, equipment integration, process reliability, and next-generation manufacturing technologies across multiple production platforms.
The ideal candidate will have experience managing automation initiatives from concept through implementation while collaborating cross-functionally with operations, maintenance, quality, and external equipment partners.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and deploy automated manufacturing solutions to improve production performance, throughput, and reliability.
- Lead automation and controls projects including planning, budgeting, scheduling, commissioning, and technical execution.
- Program, troubleshoot, and optimize PLCs, HMIs, servo systems, robotics, machine vision, and industrial control systems.
- Support the integration and optimization of automated material handling technologies including Autonomous Mobile Robots, Automated Guided Vehicles, conveyors, and warehouse automation systems.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on uptime, waste reduction, process efficiency, and equipment performance.
- Collaborate with vendors, integrators, and internal teams on equipment upgrades, installations, and process enhancements.
- Assist with implementation of connected manufacturing technologies including MES integration, data collection, and smart factory initiatives.
- Develop and maintain electrical schematics, controls documentation, SOPs, and project records.
- Ensure equipment and system compliance with applicable safety, environmental, and quality standards.
- Provide technical support and mentorship to maintenance and operations teams as needed.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or related technical discipline.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, or manufacturing systems integration.
- Hands-on experience with PLC and HMI platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar systems.
- Strong knowledge of robotics, motion control systems, sensors, drives, conveyors, AMRs, AGVs, and automated material handling technologies.
- Experience supporting high-speed manufacturing or continuous production operations preferred.
- Familiarity with SCADA systems, industrial networking, vision inspection systems, warehouse automation, and plant-level data integration technologies.
- Strong troubleshooting, project leadership, and communication skills.
- PMP certification or formal project management experience is a plus.
Salary : $115,000 - $145,000