Assoc Automation Robotics Engineer (Onsite)

Tyson Foods, Inc.•Springdale, AR

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Automation & Robotics Engineer I is an entry-level engineering role on Tyson Foods’ Manufacturing Automation team. The position supports deployment of robotic and automated systems across production facilities, including palletizing, case packing, case erecting and packout. Under direct supervision and alongside Automation Managers, the engineer helps advance projects from vendor build through installation, startup and handoff to plant operations. The role works with plant operations, maintenance, FSQA, sanitation, Engineering, IT/OT, cybersecurity, procurement, vendors, integrators and contractors. Over time, the engineer is expected to develop the skills to own smaller deployments and help assess new automation opportunities. The role supports factory and site acceptance testing; installation, startup and commissioning; install-day logistics; and operator and maintenance training. It also maintains project schedules, trackers, meeting notes and capital project information, and serves as a day-to-day contact for vendors and contractors. The engineer coordinates connectivity, remote access and cybersecurity reviews, and helps ensure equipment conforms to sanitation, food safety and safety standards. The position includes visiting plants to learn processes and collect line data for automation scopes and business cases; updating layouts and drawings; developing reusable designs and documentation; supporting equipment-monitoring and plant-data tools; and participating in vendor demonstrations, technology evaluations and pilots. The role follows established engineering, safety, lockout/tagout, documentation and project-management practices and performs other job-related duties as assigned. Work takes place in production environments that may be cold, wet, noisy and exposed to sanitation chemicals. Required PPE and food-safety and safety protocols must be followed. Travel to plants and vendor facilities is up to 50%, with heavier travel during installations. The position may require night and weekend work during installations and startups. The role has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Industrial or Computer Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent education and experience.
0–2 years of experience.
Foundational knowledge of industrial robots, PLCs and HMIs, sensors and industrial networking.
Ability to read mechanical layouts, electrical drawings and equipment specifications.
Strong Excel skills for schedules, trackers and data analysis.
Basic understanding of IT/OT networking concepts.
Clear written and verbal communication with plant staff, vendors and leadership.
Hands-on troubleshooting mindset, ownership and follow-through, organization across multiple simultaneous projects, attention to detail and willingness to learn.
Must be able to work nights and weekends during installations and startups.
Must be willing and able to perform the physical requirements of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Must wear required PPE and follow food safety and safety protocols.

Nice To Haves

Internship, co-op, capstone, robotics team, manufacturing or field-service experience.
Exposure to equipment installation or commissioning.
Basic PLC or robot programming, or experience reading existing logic.
CAD exposure, such as AutoCAD.
Experience with Power BI, scripting or Python.
Interest in vision systems, IoT, machine learning and AI applications in manufacturing.

Responsibilities

Support factory acceptance testing at vendor facilities and site acceptance testing at plants; document results, issues and punch lists.
Assist with installation, startup and commissioning of robotic cells, palletizers, case packers and conveyance, including on-site testing, accuracy checks and troubleshooting with vendor technicians.
Coordinate installation logistics, including equipment arrival, rigging and placement, utilities, electrical and network drops, swabbing, FSQA release and protection of controls during sanitation.
Support operator and maintenance training across shifts during startup and provide follow-up support after go-live.
Maintain project schedules, milestone trackers, action items and meeting notes for vendor and plant check-ins.
Track purchase orders, quotes, deliveries, asset numbers and capital project status; help prepare monthly portfolio updates.
Serve as a day-to-day contact for vendors, integrators and contractors during deployments.
Coordinate network connectivity, vendor remote access and cybersecurity reviews with IT/OT and security teams.
Help ensure equipment meets sanitation, washdown, materials, food safety and safety standards.
Visit plants, learn processes and gather line data to help scope automation opportunities and develop business cases.
Update layouts and drawings with vendors and plant engineering, and help create reusable standard designs and documentation.
Support adoption of equipment-monitoring and plant-data tools, including condition monitoring, SCADA and connectivity projects, and follow up on data quality.
Participate in vendor demonstrations, technology evaluations and pilots, including cobots, vision-guided picking and emerging robotics.
Follow established engineering, safety, lockout/tagout, documentation and project-management practices.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.