Project Engineer, Automation & Mechatronics Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer

Energy Talent Search is working with a manufacturing company in the Anaheim area that's continuing to invest heavily in plant modernization, automation, and operational infrastructure improvements across its manufacturing operations. This is a highly visible engineering role supporting electrical systems, controls, instrumentation, and capital project execution inside a complex industrial manufacturing environment. The company operates within highly engineered materials and specialty manufacturing environments serving industries tied to aerospace, advanced industrial applications, energy transition technologies, and next-generation manufacturing.

They're looking for someone who can operate independently inside a plant environment, manage projects from concept through commissioning, and work closely with operations, maintenance, contractors, vendors, and leadership teams. This is NOT a purely desk-based design engineering role. The environment is much more focused on: plant execution automation modernization electrical infrastructure operational reliability controls integration capital project delivery

What You'll Actually Be Doing

• Leading plant-based electrical and automation projects tied to manufacturing operations, equipment upgrades, reliability improvements, and infrastructure modernization
• Managing projects from initial planning through commissioning and operational turnover
• Supporting automation systems tied to manufacturing equipment, process lines, and plant operations
• Working heavily with PLCs, HMI/SCADA systems, instrumentation, MCCs, VFDs, industrial controls, and power distribution systems
• Coordinating contractors, integrators, electricians, vendors, and internal operations teams throughout project execution
• Driving project schedules, budgets, procurement activities, technical reviews, and implementation timelines
• Supporting commissioning, troubleshooting, startup activities, testing, and operational integration
• Assisting with instrumentation, calibration processes, controls troubleshooting, and overall manufacturing support as needed
• Helping improve plant reliability, operational efficiency, and modernization initiatives tied to automation and controls
• Supporting projects involving machine controls, industrial networking, electrical upgrades, and process improvement efforts

What the Role Feels Like

• Highly hands-on engineering environment tied closely to real manufacturing operations
• Mix of project execution, automation support, plant modernization, troubleshooting, and operational improvement work
• Visible role internally with strong interaction across engineering, operations, maintenance, and leadership teams
• Fast-moving manufacturing environment where priorities can shift quickly based on operational demands and project timelines
• Strong balance between technical engineering work and practical plant execution

Why This Role Stands Out

• Opportunity to work inside a technically sophisticated manufacturing environment rather than a basic production facility
• Exposure to automation, modernization, IIOT initiatives, and advanced industrial technologies
• High project ownership and visibility
• Stable global organization with significant investment in manufacturing operations and engineering infrastructure
• Strong long-term career growth potential within advanced manufacturing and industrial engineering environments

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering strongly preferred
• Roughly 7+ years of experience inside industrial or manufacturing environments
• Minimum 3+ years of experience leading or heavily supporting capital projects
• Strong background involving: automation controls instrumentation industrial electrical systems manufacturing operations
• Experience with: PLCs SCADA/HMI systems MCCs VFDs industrial controls power distribution systems
• Experience with platforms such as:
  Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Siemens Schneider or similar industrial automation environments
• Strong understanding of: commissioning electrical troubleshooting contractor/vendor coordination project execution manufacturing equipment and process lines
• Ability to operate independently and communicate effectively with operations, maintenance, vendors, contractors, and leadership
• Experience inside continuous processes or complex manufacturing environments is highly attractive
• Candidates coming strictly from commercial construction, utility-only environments, consulting engineering firms, or purely office-based design engineering roles likely will NOT be a fit

Benefits

• Approximate base salary range: $110K – $140 depending on background and overall fit
• 8% bonus opportunity
• Full benefits package included
• Potential sign-on assistance may be available in certain situations
• Anaheim-area onsite role
• No relocation assistance being offered
• Long-term growth opportunity within a global advanced manufacturing organization