Manufacturing Automation Engineer

Simpson Strong-Tie is a leader in engineered structural connectors, software, and solutions for the building industry. We maintain a reputation as a trusted manufacturer, partner, and corporate citizen committed to our customers and employees. Our founder, Barc Simpson established 9 Principles of Business we live out as company values and have made Simpson Strong-Tie an inspiring place to work since 1956.

Our team of talented people are dedicated to our shared mission: to provide solutions that help people design and build safer, stronger structures. Learn about our company culture directly from our team.

As an Automation Engineer for the Riverside Branch, you will support and improve the automated systems that drive safe, reliable, and efficient manufacturing performance across the facility. You will serve as a technical expert in industrial automation, partnering closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, and Safety to troubleshoot issues, improve system performance, and help implement automation solutions that strengthen uptime, quality, and throughput.

You are a hands‑on problem solver who can move between the plant floor and technical systems with ease, bringing discipline, urgency, and continuous improvement to complex manufacturing environments.

• Support daily performance of automated manufacturing equipment, including robotic welding cells, fiber laser systems, PLC‑controlled equipment, and related automation assets.
• Troubleshoot controls, automation, and process issues to restore equipment to safe and effective operating condition.
• Partner with Operations and Maintenance to reduce downtime, improve response time, and stabilize equipment performance.
• Monitor automation system performance and identify recurring losses, failures, or constraints that impact production.
• Support safe and efficient operation of automation assets across the manufacturing environment.

• Diagnose and resolve issues related to PLCs, HMIs, sensors, drives, servos, robotics, and automation interfaces.
• Support root‑cause analysis for equipment, controls, and process failures, then implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Develop, revise, and maintain controls logic, automation backups, and related system documentation in alignment with plant standards.
• Assist with startup, testing, validation, and stabilization of new or modified automation systems.
• Support integration between machinery, controls, and production processes to improve overall system effectiveness.

• Identify and implement improvements that increase uptime, throughput, repeatability, and process reliability.
• Support cycle time reduction, scrap reduction, labor efficiency, and changeover improvement through automation and process refinement.
• Partner cross‑functionally on Kaizen events, equipment upgrades, and manufacturing improvement projects.
• Recommend practical automation solutions that align with plant goals for safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Use data, observations, and process knowledge to prioritize and execute improvement opportunities.

• Create and maintain automation documentation, including controls architecture, programming backups, troubleshooting guides, equipment settings, and standard work.
• Support development of preventive and predictive maintenance practices for controls and automation systems.
• Ensure changes to automation systems are documented, controlled, and communicated appropriately.
• Assist with spare parts recommendations and identification of critical automation components.
• Support training materials and technical documentation for maintenance and operations teams.

• Ensure automation systems, modifications, and controls‑related activities align with company safety standards and required machine safeguarding practices.
• Support risk reduction efforts involving robotics, motion control, electrical systems, and automated equipment.
• Train and coach…