Manufacturing Automation Engineer

Simpson Strong-Tie • Riverside, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

As an Automation Engineer for the Riverside Branch, you will support and improve the automated systems that drive safe, reliable, and efficient manufacturing performance across the facility. You will serve as a technical expert in industrial automation, partnering closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, and Safety to troubleshoot issues, improve system performance, and help implement automation solutions that strengthen uptime, quality, and throughput. You are a hands-on problem solver who can move between the plant floor and technical systems with ease, bringing discipline, urgency, and continuous improvement to complex manufacturing environments.

Requirements

• 5–8 years of experience supporting industrial automation in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong experience with PLCs, HMIs, industrial robotics, sensors, drives, and automated equipment.
• Experience troubleshooting controls and automation systems in a production environment.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and technical documentation.
• Demonstrated success improving equipment reliability, process performance, and automation effectiveness in manufacturing environments.
• Manufacturing Systems Thinking: The ability to design, evaluate, and improve complete manufacturing systems by integrating equipment, robotics, PLC controls, material flow, and labor into a cohesive, high-performing operation from concept through execution.
• Listening: Ability to be attentive, listen to others and ask clarifying questions to prompt more detailed information.
• Speaking: Ability to use language that is appropriate to the audience, occasion and purpose

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field preferred. Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Support Automated Manufacturing Systems (35%) Support daily performance of automated manufacturing equipment, including robotic welding cells, fiber laser systems, PLC-controlled equipment, and related automation assets. Troubleshoot controls, automation, and process issues to restore equipment to safe and effective operating condition. Partner with Operations and Maintenance to reduce downtime, improve response time, and stabilize equipment performance. Monitor automation system performance and identify recurring losses, failures, or constraints that impact production. Support safe and efficient operation of automation assets across the manufacturing environment.
• Lead Controls and Automation Problem Solving (25%) Diagnose and resolve issues related to PLCs, HMIs, sensors, drives, servos, robotics, and automation interfaces. Support root cause analysis for equipment, controls, and process failures, then implement sustainable corrective actions. Develop, revise, and maintain controls logic, automation backups, and related system documentation in alignment with plant standards. Assist with startup, testing, validation, and stabilization of new or modified automation systems. Support integration between machinery, controls, and production processes to improve overall system effectiveness.
• Drive Continuous Improvement and Process Optimization (15%) Identify and implement improvements that increase uptime, throughput, repeatability, and process reliability. Support cycle time reduction, scrap reduction, labor efficiency, and changeover improvement through automation and process refinement. Partner cross-functionally on Kaizen events, equipment upgrades, and manufacturing improvement projects. Recommend practical automation solutions that align with plant goals for safety, quality, delivery, and cost. Use data, observations, and process knowledge to prioritize and execute improvement opportunities.
• Maintain Technical Standards and Documentation (15%) Create and maintain automation documentation, including controls architecture, programming backups, troubleshooting guides, equipment settings, and standard work. Support development of preventive and predictive maintenance practices for controls and automation systems. Ensure changes to automation systems are documented, controlled, and communicated appropriately. Assist with spare parts recommendations and identification of critical automation components. Support training materials and technical documentation for maintenance and operations teams
• Support Safety, Training, and Project Execution (10%) Ensure automation systems, modifications, and controls-related activities align with company safety standards and required machine safeguarding practices. Support risk reduction efforts involving robotics, motion control, electrical systems, and automated equipment. Train and coach maintenance and operations team members on equipment functionality, basic troubleshooting, and proper system use. Support capital projects, equipment installations, vendor coordination, and commissioning activities as assigned. Perform other duties aligned with the role and needs of the business.

Benefits

• We recognize and reward employees with a carefully designed and comprehensive rewards package, including competitive compensation, quarterly bonuses or commission and first-rate benefits.
• Quarterly Bonuses/Commission: You will be eligible for either a bonus or commission, paid on a quarterly basis. We believe all employees affect customers, sales and revenue — directly or indirectly – and should be rewarded by sharing the company profits.
• Benefits: We provide a wide range of benefits for eligible full-time employees including: medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, employee stock purchase and bonus plans, pay for holidays, vacation, sick days, funerals and jury duty, years of service awards, employee discounts, employee referral bonuses, charitable contribution matching, education reimbursement and more.
• View benefit plan details here: https://benefits.strongtie.com/.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees