A Manufacturing Automation Engineer designs, programs and improves automated machinery and processes within a manufacturing environment. Are responsible for the design specifications, documentation and troubleshooting of the equipment. Often work within vehicle manufacturing and food processing plants, where robots or machines are used to perform specific functions.
Job Summary We are seeking a high-caliber Senior Automation Engineer to lead our Innovation Team and spearhead the modernization of our buttweld fitting manufacturing facility. This role goes beyond standard engineering; you will be responsible for identifying high-impact production areas, owning the end-to-end design of automated systems, and hitting clear, timeline-based modernization milestones with defined ROI. This position will report to the engineering department and engineering manager while working heavily with the operations team on execution of plans.
Key Responsibilities Team Leadership:
Direct, mentor, and task a team of direct reports on the innovation team to execute automation upgrades safely and on schedule.
Multi-Platform Integration:
Program, troubleshoot, and bridge communication between mixed PLC environments containing Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Omron, and Delta platforms.
System Design & Modernization:
Retrofit heavy legacy machinery (hydraulic presses, forging cells, machining/beveling centers) with modern HMIs, advanced motion control, and SCADA systems.
Smart Maintenance Integration:
Implement IoT tracking sensors to pipe real-time cycle data and machine health straight into our CMMS to prevent unplanned downtime.
Project Management & Lifecycle:
Own the entire lifecycle of automation projects, from initial CAD schematics and part procurement to physical line commissioning and safety verification. First-Year Performance Goals (Timeline & ROI Driven) Months 1-3 (Assess & Plan): Complete a comprehensive audit of the current legacy lines. Identify a specific, bottlenecked production area (e.g., fitting beveling or material handling) and present a detailed automation proposal complete with a budgeted bill of materials (BOM) and projected ROI calculation (e.g., labor reduction, throughput increase, or scrap reduction). Months 4-9 (Execute): Lead the innovation team through the physical layout, multi-PLC programming phase, and hardware deployment of the approved project area. Months 10-12 (Commission & Prove): Successfully bring the automated system online. Train the maintenance and operations crews, eliminate system bugs, and deliver a formal report proving the system achieved its defined operational and financial ROI targets.
Qualifications & Skills Experience:
5 to 10 years of industrial automation engineering experience, with strong preference given to heavy manufacturing, metal forming, or machining backgrounds.
Management:
Minimum 2 years of experience leading engineering teams, managing direct reports, or directing major capital expense (CapEx) projects.
Technical Mastery:
Advanced programming capabilities in Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Omron, and Delta PLC/HMI environments.
Engineering Tools:
Proficiency with electrical design and schematic software (e.g., AutoCAD Electrical).
Process Knowledge:
Strong understanding of hydraulics, heavy industrial machinery, safety gating circuits, and industrial networks (
