Senior Automation Controls Engineer

Bring more to life. Are you ready to accelerate your potential and make a real difference within life sciences, diagnostics, and biotechnology? At Cepheid, one of Danaher’s 15+ operating companies, our work saves lives—and we’re all united by a shared commitment to innovate for tangible impact. You will thrive in a culture of belonging where you and your unique viewpoint matter.

And by harnessing Danaher’s system of continuous improvement, you help turn ideas into impact - innovating at the speed of life. At Cepheid, we are enthusiastic about improving health care through fast, accurate, molecular diagnostic systems and tests. As a member of our team, you will get to make an immediate, measurable impact on a global scale, within an environment that fosters career growth and development.

Our mission drives us to develop groundbreaking solutions for the world’s most complex health challenges. Together, we bring MORE change to the world. Learn about the Danaher Business System which makes everything possible.

The Senior Automation Controls Engineer is an experienced individual contributor responsible for the design, development, implementation, and support of PLC-based automation and machine vision systems used in high-volume manufacturing. This role independently delivers complex automation solutions, supports production systems, and collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to ensure reliable, compliant equipment performance. This position reports to the Manager – Automation and Controls and is part of the Systems Engineering group located in Newark and will be an on-site role.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Design, program, test, and troubleshoot PLC-based control systems, HMIs and user interface software for automated manufacturing equipment
• Implement and integrate vision inspection systems (e.g., Cognex In-Sight, Vision Pro, deep learning where applicable)
• Support system commissioning, equipment upgrades, validation (IQ, OQ, PQ) activities and production troubleshooting
• Execute work in accordance with established controls, vision, and validation standards
• Participate in design reviews, electrical design and code reviews, and cross-functional problem solving

The essential requirements of the job include:

• Bachelor’s degree in field with 5+ years of related work experience OR Master’s degree in field with 3+ years of related work experience OR Doctoral degree in field with related work experience.
• Controls & Automation Expertise:
  Hands‑on experience with PLC and HMI programming/troubleshooting (Rockwell RS Logix-5000, Factory Talk), Cognex Designer (In-Sight, Vision Pro deep learning), and industrial communication protocols (Ether Net/IP, Device Net, IO-Link, OPC UA).
• Manufacturing Systems & Standards:
  Extensive work with high-speed manufacturing equipment, Fanuc robots, VFDs, servo systems, motion control, and safety/standard I/O; proven ability to develop, maintain, and implement controls standards using IEC 61131-3-aligned PLC software.
• Integration, Validation & Documentation:
  Strong background in software validation, equipment qualification, and detailed technical documentation; experience specifying and integrating control panels, including PLCs, I/O, power supplies, safety components, drives, and networks.

Cepheid, a Danaher operating company, offers a broad array of comprehensive, competitive benefit programs that add value to our lives. Whether it’s a health care program or paid time off, our programs contribute to life beyond the job. Check out our benefits at Danaher Benefits Info.

The annual salary range for this role is $140,000 to $155,000. This is the range that we in good faith believe is the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this…