Senior Automation Engineer

Materion Corporation • Lincoln, RI

5d • $92,200 - $147,450

About The Position

The Senior Automation Engineer reports to the Plant Engineering Manager and is responsible for designing, implementing, administering, scripting, enhancing, troubleshooting, monitoring, and maintaining production and non-production process automation hardware and software systems. The role includes managing project builds, reports, and documentation using various software interfaces, and taking overall responsibility for project work guided by business strategy and the Engineering Manager. The position works closely with the business and requires a technical background in mechanical, electrical, and computer-based systems, along with a customer-focused approach.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related technological field.
• At least 5 to 10+ years of relevant professional work experience.
• 3–5+ years of experience in the design, manufacture, and installation of hardware-based systems and machinery and/or plant process equipment.
• Proficiency with computer and automation systems encompassing hardware- and software-based technologies.
• Ability to identify, adapt to, and solve problems quickly.
• Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work well under pressure and time constraints.
• Proficiency with industrial controls and processes.
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong verbal and written customer communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills to meet business demands.
• Ability to develop business cases and financial justifications for capital projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership in the design, development, and implementation of site process automation and control systems.
• Support the full lifecycle of process automation and control systems, including design, assessment, selection, commissioning, and integration.
• Monitor, troubleshoot, upgrade, and repair complex automation-based production processes.
• Support machine profiler and vision systems, including PSI, MVC, Keyence, Cognex, and Dr Schenk.
• Troubleshoot and diagnose process automation issues in collaboration with manufacturing and maintenance personnel.
• Provide technical assistance to site operations and corporate divisions through investigations, system assessments, and design support.
• Provide technical and non-technical feedback to validation and IT personnel to support the connection and release of automation-based systems.
• Modernize logical control systems for plant equipment, facilities, and processes to improve efficiency, product quality, and working conditions.
• Create and manage historian-based data acquisition systems on both IT and OT systems, using tools such as ProFace, AVEVA (Wonderware) InTouch, ArchestrA Historian, iba AG, KepwareEX, OmniServer, and OPC UA.
• Maximize machine uptime by providing on-floor troubleshooting support for manufacturing activities.
• Design solutions to maintain automation system quality and stability through future expansions, replacements, and upgrades.
• Support programmable logic controllers, including Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk and ControlLogix, Siemens TIA Portal and WinCC Advanced, Emerson/GE Proficy Machine Edition, DeltaV, GE Fanuc, and DirectLogic.
• Develop and implement HMI- and SCADA-based systems for manufacturing operations.
• Communicate with customers and integrators about product and business requirements.
• Create control algorithms that govern equipment operation using sensors and other feedback sources.
• Increase efficiencies by designing innovative automation technology.
• Provide technical and automation expertise to manufacturing and facilities as needed.
• Support the site's electrical distribution and technological infrastructure.
• Write code, create scripts, and implement software-based automation tools for ongoing product platform releases.
• Assist IT personnel with technological transformation, including server and operating system migrations and communications related to software and machinery operations.
• Manage project builds, reports, documentation, and project work aligned with business strategy and the Engineering Manager's guidance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior