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Automation R&D Engineer
Job in
Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, 18020, USA
Listed on 2026-06-25
Listing for:
Reading Bakery
Full Time
position Listed on 2026-06-25
Job specializations:
-
Engineering
Automation & Mechatronics Engineer, Systems Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, AI Engineer (Applied/Software)
Job Description & How to Apply Below
Sinking Spring, PA 19608## Overview Position Type Full Time Category Engineering ## Description| | || --- | --- ||
*
* Position Title:
** | Automation R&D Engineer - Smart Machines ||
** Classification:** | Full-Time, Exempt, Competitive, Depending on Experience ||
*
* Reports To:
** | Senior Director of Product and Process Innovation ||
** Supervises:** | N/A ||
** Travel:** | Up to 25-30% for startup of new technologies and customer troubleshooting support |# POSITION SUMMARY The Automation R&D Engineer - Smart Machines leads the research, development, testing, and implementation of intelligent automation and smart machine capabilities across the Reading Bakery Systems equipment portfolio. This role is focused on advancing machine-level controls, diagnostics, data collection, automation architecture, and AI-enabled technologies for pretzel, cookie, cracker, and baking systems.
This position is grounded in strong electrical controls knowledge, hands-on machine troubleshooting, and practical problem solving. The ideal candidate understands how industrial equipment operates in real-world production environments and can translate machine behavior, field issues, customer needs, and process requirements into smarter, more reliable equipment solutions.
A key focus of this position is the development and integration of smart machine technologies, including machine diagnostics, condition monitoring, predictive maintenance concepts, operator guidance, machine vision, data analytics, and AI-enabled tools that enhance equipment performance, uptime, product quality, serviceability, and customer value.
Working closely with Sales, Engineering, Technical Services, Customer Care, Applications, and the Science & Innovation Center, this role helps bridge innovation with practical, customer-focused machine solutions. The position supports concept development, prototyping, testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and aftermarket learning to ensure smart machine capabilities are useful, reliable, scalable, and grounded in actual customer needs.# ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
* Design, prototype, test, and validate new equipment, automation systems, smart machine features, and process enhancements to support product innovation and continuous improvement initiatives.
* Develop and evaluate intelligent machine capabilities, including diagnostics, condition monitoring, predictive maintenance concepts, operator guidance, machine vision, data analytics, and AI-enabled automation tools.
* Collaborate with Sales, Engineering, Applications, Technical Services, and customers during concept development to ensure technical feasibility, operational performance, and alignment with customer objectives.
* Serve as a technical liaison between customers and internal teams, including potential on-site support for commissioning, optimization, troubleshooting, and implementation of smart machine and automation solutions.
* Develop and communicate equipment standards, automation requirements, sensor strategies, controls specifications, machine data requirements, and design intent to the Production Engineering team to support successful execution of customer projects.
* Work with Engineering to create bills of materials, technical documentation, test plans, validation records, and complete design packages for release to manufacturing and purchasing.
* Support Technical Services and Customer Care by troubleshooting equipment performance issues, identifying root causes, and implementing corrective actions to minimize customer downtime and operational impact.
* Partner with Technical Services, Customer Care, and Engineering to identify recurring machine issues and convert those learnings into improved designs, smart diagnostics, troubleshooting tools, or future product enhancements.
* Conduct research, product testing, process validation, and smart machine trials at the Science & Innovation Center in collaboration with Engineering, R&D, Applications, and cross-functional teams.
* Identify opportunities to improve machine performance, reliability, maintainability, operator experience, and…
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