Automation Engineering Specialist
About The Position
The Automation Engineering Specialist provides technical expertise to support, optimize, and continuously improve automated manufacturing systems for safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations. Serving as the plant’s automation and control systems subject matter expert, this role partners with Engineering, Maintenance, Production, Quality, Operations, contractors, and union craft teams to improve equipment reliability, operational performance, and production uptime. The specialist independently analyzes complex technical challenges, provides practical recommendations, supports capital improvements, evaluates emerging automation technologies, and implements sustainable process enhancements. The role also supports operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and long-term manufacturing performance by communicating technical information clearly and enabling informed business and operational decisions. This opportunity is at a Reynolds Consumer Products manufacturing facility in Louisville, Kentucky.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Automation, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, Industrial Maintenance, or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
- At least 2 years of experience supporting industrial automation, manufacturing controls, or automated production equipment.
- Experience troubleshooting industrial electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and control systems.
- Experience supporting programmable logic controllers, human-machine interfaces, industrial robotics, and automated manufacturing equipment.
- Strong knowledge of industrial automation principles and manufacturing control systems.
- Ability to diagnose and resolve complex equipment and process issues.
- Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings, and technical documentation.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and root-cause problem-solving skills.
- Ability to prioritize multiple assignments in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
- Ability to build collaborative working relationships across Engineering, Maintenance, Production, contractors, and union-represented employees.
- Working knowledge of industrial safety practices, including Lockout/Tagout requirements.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working within a manufacturing or industrial production environment.
Responsibilities
- Maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and optimize automated manufacturing equipment and industrial control systems.
- Diagnose electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, instrumentation, and control system issues to minimize production downtime.
- Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance to improve equipment performance and extend asset life.
- Support the installation, startup, commissioning, and validation of automation equipment, production systems, and process improvements.
- Evaluate equipment performance trends and recommend improvements to reliability, safety, and operational efficiency.
- Support configuration, programming, testing, and optimization of programmable control systems and automated manufacturing processes.
- Analyze production and equipment performance to identify automation improvements, process optimization, and cost-reduction opportunities.
- Test and validate automation technologies, control strategies, and production equipment.
- Recommend capital improvements supported by technical and financial justification.
- Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, Production, Quality, and Operations to resolve technical issues and improve manufacturing performance.
- Coordinate automation-related work with Maintenance Supervisors, approved contractors, and union craft personnel while following labor agreements and plant procedures.
- Communicate technical information clearly to support operational and business decisions.
- Provide technical guidance and recommendations as the plant automation subject matter expert.
- Document maintenance activities, equipment modifications, troubleshooting, and system improvements.
- Interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, technical drawings, and engineering documentation.
- Ensure automation activities comply with company policies, applicable regulations, and safety requirements, including Lockout/Tagout procedures.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
