Automation Manufacturing Engineer

Pacific Fusion•Los Lunas, NM

18d

About The Position

The Automation Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for evaluating current manual processes, identifying automation opportunities, designing and implementing robust solutions, and supporting the transition from manual to semi- or fully-automated manufacturing. This role is ideal for someone with strong factory-floor instincts, who understands how to build automation in the real world—not just on paper—and who thrives in a fast-moving, build-focused environment. In this role your work will optimize processes and enable production employees, engineers and scientists across the organization as they bring our demonstration system online.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Manufacturing Engineering, or related equivalent experience in this field.
5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering or automation in a high-mix, low- to medium-volume production environment.
Hands-on experience developing and integrating automation equipment, including mechanical and control systems (pneumatics, motion control, sensors).
Experience with robotic arms (e.g., UR, Fanuc, ABB), end-of-arm tooling, and collaborative automation.Strong CAD proficiency (e.g., PTC Creo) and ability to design tooling and fixturing.
Demonstrated capability with PLCs, industrial communication protocols, and control systems (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff, etc.).
Solid understanding of process validation, process capability, and yield improvement methodologies and dashboard reporting showing system health.
Track record of implementing automation projects that measurably improved labor efficiency and quality.
Experience managing external automation integrators or machine builders.
Comfortable operating in an evolving, ambiguous, and cross-functional startup environment.

Nice To Haves

Background in electromechanical product assembly or electronics manufacturing.
Proficiency with Twincat, Python or similar scripting languages for automation/data acquisition.
Familiarity with MES, SCADA, or factory data collection tools.

Responsibilities

Analyze current manufacturing processes to identify automation opportunities that reduce labor and increase throughput, consistency, and yield.
Design, implement, and validate scalable automation solutions including fixturing, electromechanical equipment, vision systems, PLCs, and robotic cells.
Collaborate with design engineering to influence product DFM/DFA (Design for Manufacturability/Automation) to ease automation integration.
Specify, source, and deploy off-the-shelf or custom automation equipment including conveyors, actuators, robotics, inspection stations, and tooling.
Own automation projects from concept through commissioning: requirements gathering, vendor selection, integration, installation, debug, and ramp.
Write and maintain documentation for equipment setup, operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
Support process development and initial production, with a focus on root cause analysis and continuous improvement.
Partner closely with area managers, manufacturing technicians, mechanical engineers, and quality to ensure equipment performance aligns with production goals.