Senior Process Automation Engineer

GEA•Oakdale, MN

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Process Automation Engineer is based in Oakdale, Minnesota, and contributes to GEA’s Automation Engineering team by supporting service project upgrades across the Nutrition Plant Engineering Division in North America. The role designs, develops, tests, and commissions industrial process automation systems for projects serving industries including food, dairy, beverage, brewery, chemical, and pharmaceutical. The engineer acts as a technical lead on assigned projects, working independently and with cross-functional teams. A hybrid work schedule is available, with travel of up to 40% as required. The position supports automation upgrades and digital service product growth from the sales phase through project execution and commissioning. It includes developing process functional descriptions and automation software, coordinating control and electrical system design, testing and commissioning systems at customer sites, leading project teams, managing schedules and documentation, and supporting procurement and cross-functional delivery. The role must ensure compliance with customer specifications, applicable regulations, GEA standards, and Environmental Health & Safety and OSHA requirements. GEA describes its U.S. starting base pay range for this position as $110,000–$130,000 per year. Final offers may vary based on factors including skills, experience, location, and qualifications. Eligible employees may also receive a discretionary bonus and/or equity awards. The position does not offer visa or work sponsorship; applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, or a related field.
Typically, 5 or more years of experience in a similar automation engineering role.
Willingness to travel up to 40% as required.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
Strong interpersonal, leadership, and customer service skills.
Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment.
Strong organization, attention to detail, and time-management skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to work in fast-paced and occasionally high-pressure environments.
Demonstrated commercial and business acumen.
Ability to prioritize and delegate tasks appropriately.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and related software tools.
Authorization to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience with Rockwell Automation hardware and software.

Responsibilities

Support Sales in driving automation upgrades and digital service product growth.
Participate in project sales activities, including customer meetings, pre-sales technical support, cost estimation, and proposal development.
Provide technical input for scope definition, pricing, and execution planning.
Develop detailed Process Functional Descriptions from general process descriptions.
Design automation software using knowledge of computer systems, networks, and industrial control platforms.
Coordinate with product departments to ensure automation programming meets system and customer requirements.
Ensure compliance with GEA Process Automation standards and quality requirements.
Test software through simulations on applicable hardware platforms or emulators.
Collaborate with electrical designers on control panel and automation system design.
Incorporate customer specifications and technical requirements into electrical system designs.
Create requisitions for automation and electrical equipment.
Assist with electrical testing of completed systems in-house and at customer sites.
Coordinate and inspect electricians’ work during system wiring and installation.
Commission instrumentation, electrical, and control systems at customer sites.
Perform I/O checkout of installed equipment and support close-out of automation punch-list items during commissioning.
Assist with operator and maintenance training during project start-up.
Provide technical troubleshooting and on-site support for system performance and process issues.
Act as Automation Lead on assigned projects unless otherwise designated.
Manage automation and electrical engineers assigned to projects and monitor tasks to ensure deadlines and quality standards are met.
Generate project schedules aligned with program milestones.
Provide Project Managers with project information, including risk identification, work breakdown structures, and activity planning.
Support identification of scope changes and help estimate cost and schedule impacts and prepare change orders.
Evaluate projects for cost-reduction opportunities and efficiency improvements.
Maintain accurate records of customer meetings, correspondence, and technical project files.
Manage project document control, including versioning, transmittals, approvals, and deliverables.
Use GEA-defined tools, templates, and documentation throughout project phases.
Assist in preparing O&M manuals and spare parts lists.
Ensure compliance with customer specifications, applicable regulations, and GEA Environmental Health & Safety and OSHA requirements.
Prepare RFQs and support Procurement with vendor technical evaluations, selection, and management.
Work with process engineers to ensure automation designs meet customer and process requirements.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams and support the service organization as required.
Deliver technical or project progress presentations to management and customers as needed.
Respond to additional duties as assigned.