Senior Automation Engineer

Alcon Research•Fort Worth, TX

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Alcon is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer to support the MTO ASPEX Team at its manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The role serves as technical lead and project manager for SCADA, PI Historian, and Ignition initiatives, advancing manufacturing technology through systems such as AI/ML, vision inspection, collaborative robots, autonomous mobile robots, automated end-of-line packaging, and automated storage and retrieval systems. The engineer programs Allen-Bradley and Siemens PLCs and supports software updates for manufacturing systems, including SCADA, MES, and ATTP. The role designs manufacturing processes, procedures, equipment layouts, and machine arrangements; adapts equipment designs to production conditions; and ensures compliance with regulations. It also develops user and design requirements, selects vendors or completes technology designs and equipment builds, and manages automation installation and system validation for safety, requirements, CGMPs, and intended operation. The position supports Automation Technicians with complex troubleshooting, works with production leaders to identify improvements in throughput, flexibility, quality, safety, and reliability, and implements automation solutions arising from non-conformance investigations or CAPA assignments. The engineer plans and executes engineering projects with minimal supervision, troubleshoots process-control systems, handles change-control activities, manages multiple capital projects, and modifies existing manufacturing equipment to improve operational efficiency. This is an onsite role with travel up to 10%. Relocation assistance is available; sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of directly related experience; alternatives specified are high school plus 10 years, associate degree plus 6 years, or an M.S. with 0 years.
Ability to fluently read, write, understand, and communicate in English.
At least 2 years of relevant experience.

Nice To Haves

Background in electrical, chemical, mechanical, or biomedical engineering; computer science; computer engineering; or software engineering.
Relevant experience with manufacturing medical devices.
Hands-on experience with PLCs and CAD design.
Project management experience.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage technical projects involving SCADA, PI Historian, and Ignition.
Support manufacturing technology initiatives, including AI/ML systems, vision inspection, cobots, autonomous mobile robots, automated packaging, and AS/RS.
Program Allen-Bradley and Siemens PLCs and provide software changes and updates for manufacturing systems such as SCADA, MES, and ATTP.
Design manufacturing processes, procedures, production layouts, and machine arrangements for efficient equipment installation and production.
Adapt machine and equipment designs to factory and production conditions.
Ensure processes and procedures comply with regulations.
Develop user and design requirements, select equipment vendors, or complete technology designs and equipment builds.
Manage automation system installations, ensuring safety and validating systems against requirements, CGMPs, and intended operation.
Support Automation Technicians with troubleshooting or technology outside their expertise.
Work with production supervisors and managers to identify improvements to equipment throughput, flexibility, quality, safety, and reliability.
Implement automation solutions resulting from manufacturing non-conformance investigations or CAPA assignments.
Plan and execute engineering project work with minimal supervision.
Troubleshoot equipment and process-control systems and manage change-control activities.
Manage multiple capital projects.
Design and implement modifications to existing manufacturing equipment to improve operational efficiency.