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 primary 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 manufacturing results. The position troubleshoots complex automation and equipment issues, supports capital improvements and new equipment installation and commissioning, evaluates automation technologies, and implements process enhancements. It operates with a high degree of autonomy, using technical analysis and cross-functional collaboration to recommend practical solutions, reduce unplanned downtime, and support productivity, quality, safety, regulatory compliance, and long-term plant performance.
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 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 to improve availability and reliability.
- Diagnose and resolve electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, instrumentation, and control system issues.
- Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance to improve equipment performance and extend asset life.
- Support installation, startup, commissioning, and validation of new automation equipment, production systems, and process improvements.
- Analyze 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, 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 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.
- Maintain documentation of maintenance activities, equipment modifications, troubleshooting, and system improvements.
- Interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, technical drawings, and engineering documentation.
- Ensure automation work complies with company policies, applicable regulations, and safety requirements, including Lockout/Tagout procedures.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
