Senior Automation Engineer

Materion • Lincoln, RI

3d

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 also manages project builds, reports, and documentation using various software interfaces, and takes overall responsibility for project work guided by business strategy and the Engineering Manager. It works closely with the business and calls for a strong technical background in mechanical, electrical, and computer-based systems, with a customer-focused approach.

The engineer provides technical leadership across site process automation and control systems, supports their full lifecycle, and helps manufacturing and maintenance teams keep production systems reliable and effective. The role includes work on machine profiler and vision systems, historians and data acquisition systems, PLCs, HMI and SCADA systems, control algorithms, software-based automation tools, and site electrical and technological infrastructure. It also supports technology transformations such as server and operating-system migrations and communications related to software and machinery operations.

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 systems 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 communication skills with customers.
• 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 systems.
• Troubleshoot and diagnose process automation issues in coordination 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 successful 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 the IT and OT sides of the business.
• Provide on-floor troubleshooting support for manufacturing activities to maximize machine uptime.
• Design solutions that maintain automation system quality and stability through future expansions, replacements, and upgrades.
• Support a range of 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.
• Design innovative automation technology to increase efficiencies.
• 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, and documentation, and take responsibility for assigned project work.

What This Job Offers

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