Factory Automation Staff Engineer
About The Position
Thermo Fisher Scientific is seeking a hands-on Factory Automation Staff Engineer for the Life Sciences Group (LSG) Advanced Engineering team. The role helps build an operations-led automation acceleration capability by designing, prototyping, building, integrating, and deploying automated manufacturing equipment across global sites. It translates priority manufacturing problems into reliable, reusable solutions that improve safety, quality, capacity, and productivity. The position partners with site Operations and process owners to select projects, define requirements and expected benefits, and deliver automation from concept through commissioning, production ramp-up, training, and handover. It develops equipment and control systems, leads integration and supplier work, coordinates design reviews, and partners with Quality on risk-based validation and qualification. It also works with Digital Automation Engineers and Group IT on equipment interfaces, production data, connectivity, and cybersecurity requirements. The engineer creates reusable designs, controls libraries, component standards, and deployment playbooks; supports collaboration and knowledge transfer across global engineering teams; establishes sustainable production support; measures results against baselines; and mentors site engineers. The role may be based near Thermo Fisher facilities in Frederick, Maryland; Austin, Texas; Carlsbad or Pleasanton, California; Eugene, Oregon; or Rockford, Illinois. Remote candidates will also be considered.
Requirements
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Industrial, or Systems Engineering, or equivalent qualified experience.
- 7+ years in manufacturing automation, including hands-on equipment design, build, controls programming, and integration through commissioning and sustained production.
- Practical expertise in mechanical systems, electrical controls, and equipment integration, including factory-floor troubleshooting using drawings, code, and diagnostic tools.
- Knowledge of machine safety, maintainability, design reviews, root-cause analysis, and risk-based equipment qualification.
- Sound build-versus-buy judgment and supplier technical leadership.
- Ability to communicate with operators, engineering, Quality, and IT, and to support global on-site builds and deployments.
- Hands-on experience with CAD, fixtures, prototyping, component selection, and mechanical/electrical documentation.
- Hands-on experience with PLC/HMI programming, industrial robots, servo motion, and industrial networks.
- Hands-on experience with machine vision, sensors, pneumatics, and application-specific equipment such as labeling or liquid handling systems.
- Hands-on experience with equipment acceptance testing, commissioning, fault recovery, and data interfaces such as OPC UA or MQTT.
- Experience with SCADA systems and manufacturing historians, including equipment connectivity, process monitoring, data collection, and troubleshooting.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with a system integrator, OEM, or equipment-development team, particularly developing equipment for life sciences, biotechnology, or medical-device manufacturing.
- Experience supporting multiple sites.
- Familiarity with PLC platforms such as Rockwell, Beckhoff, or Siemens.
- Familiarity with SCADA or manufacturing historian platforms such as Ignition.
Responsibilities
- Partner with site Operations and process owners to select automation projects and define requirements, acceptance criteria, expected benefits, project cost, deployment time, and lifecycle support needs.
- Design and build automation prototypes for applications including labeling, pick-and-place, assembly, vision inspection, liquid handling, and material handling.
- Develop mechanisms, fixtures, component selections, and electrical and control designs appropriate to each application.
- Program, integrate, and debug PLCs, HMIs, robots, motion systems, sensors, and machine vision; assemble and test equipment and troubleshoot physical and controls issues.
- Prove equipment performance using production materials and operators.
- Own system integration and select internal build, reuse, purchased equipment, or outsourced subassemblies based on complexity, economics, risk, and supportability; direct suppliers and OEMs when needed.
- Lead cross-functional design reviews at concept, detailed-design, and pre-release stages; document decisions and actions and resolve risks involving safety, quality, maintainability, and performance.
- Plan and lead equipment installation, site acceptance testing, commissioning, production ramp-up, and operator training; coordinate site resources and manage schedule, cost, and open issues through production handover.
- Partner with Quality to assess equipment risks and define risk-based validation and qualification activities; develop or contribute to protocols and documentation, including IQ/OQ where applicable, consistent with the site validation master plan and Quality approval processes.
- Partner with Digital Automation Engineers and Group IT to define equipment interfaces, production data, and secure connectivity to manufacturing applications within approved architecture and cybersecurity requirements.
- Create reusable machine designs, controls libraries, component standards, and deployment playbooks; collaborate with global engineering teams on proven designs, co-development, sourcing, and knowledge transfer.
- Establish sustainable handover through drawings, source code, bills of materials, spares, maintenance procedures, training, and a clear support model.
- Measure production results against agreed baselines, improve reliability and cycle time, and share demonstrated improvements across LSG.
- Mentor site engineers and apply approved AI tools to accelerate engineering, with technical review and testing.
Benefits
- Variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results, in accordance with company policy.
- Choice of national medical and dental plans and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs.
- Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement.
- At least 120 hours of paid time off (PTO) and 10 paid holidays annually.
- Paid parental leave: 3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave.
- Accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy.
- Competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan.
- Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), offering eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
