Assoc Automation Robotics Engineer (Onsite)

Tyson Shared Services•Springdale, AR

18h•Onsite

About The Position

The Automation & Robotics Engineer I is an entry-level engineering role on Tyson Foods’ Manufacturing Automation team. The role supports deployment of robotic and automated systems across production facilities, including palletizing, case packing, case erecting, and packout. Working under direct supervision and alongside Automation Managers, the engineer helps move projects from vendor build through installation, startup, and handoff to plant operations. The position works with plant operations, maintenance, FSQA, sanitation, Engineering, IT/OT, cybersecurity, procurement, vendors, integrators, and contractors. With experience, the engineer is expected to build the skills to own smaller deployments and help evaluate new automation opportunities. The role supports factory and site acceptance testing, installation, commissioning, training, project coordination, IT/OT and cybersecurity reviews, compliance with sanitation and safety standards, and development of automation opportunities. It also contributes to equipment-monitoring and plant-data initiatives, vendor evaluations, pilots, and reusable engineering standards. 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. The position requires up to 50% travel to plants and vendor facilities, with heavier travel during installations, and availability to work nights and weekends during installations and startups. The position 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.
Clear written and verbal communication with plant staff, vendors, and leadership.
Comfort with running meetings, writing status updates, and keeping action items moving.
Hands-on troubleshooting mindset, ownership and follow-through, organization across multiple simultaneous projects, attention to detail, and willingness to learn.
Ability and willingness to work nights and weekends during installations and startups.
Ability to perform the physical requirements of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
Willingness to travel up to 50% to plants and vendor facilities, with heavier travel during installations.
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 ability to read existing logic.
CAD exposure, such as AutoCAD.
Power BI, scripting, or Python experience.
Basic understanding of IT/OT networking concepts.
Interest in developing skills 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, commissioning, on-site testing, accuracy checks, and troubleshooting of robotic cells, palletizers, case packers, and conveyance systems.
Coordinate installation logistics, including equipment arrival, rigging and placement, utilities, electrical and network drops, swabbing and FSQA release, and sanitation protection of controls.
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 covering investment, savings, installation dates, and robot/cell counts.
Serve as a day-to-day contact for vendors, integrators, and contractors during deployments.
Coordinate network connectivity, vendor remote access, and cybersecurity reviews for new automation equipment with IT/OT and security teams.
Help ensure equipment meets sanitation, washdown, material, food-safety, and safety standards.
Visit plants and gather process and line data to help scope automation opportunities and develop business cases, including savings and ROI.
Update layouts and drawings with vendors and plant engineering; help create reusable standard designs and documentation.
Support rollout and 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 involving technologies such as 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.