Senior Mechanical and Automation Engineer

Hydranautics is a part of the Nitto Group of companies and a global leader in the field of integrated membrane solutions which includes reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration and microfiltration for water, wastewater and process treatment and applications. Currently used on seven continents throughout the world for diverse applications such as seawater desalination, industrial high-purity water, surface water treatment, wastewater treatment and specialty process applications.

Here at Hydranautics, we believe that diversity is key to our competitive advantage. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, domestic partner status or medical condition. We are proud to be a Drug-free, E-Verify and EEO employer. We are proud to offer a generous compensation and robust benefits package to include medical, dental, vision, life insurance plans, F.S.A. and H.S.A plans, Retirement plans (401k and ROTH), (12) Paid company holidays, generous PTO, tuition reimbursement and career development, Employee Assistance Plan, and more.

This is an onsite position in our Oceanside, CA facility. We presently have the following Production Operator II and III positions available for 2nd and 3rd shifts.
Job Summary Under the general supervision of the Engineering Director, the Senior Mechanical and Automation Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing mechanical and automated solutions that transform labor-intensive, heavy-handling membrane manufacturing operations into safe, efficient, and scalable engineered processes. This role requires multidisciplinary expertise spanning mechanical design, electrical systems, and PLC/automation programming, with a strong automation mindset and advanced proficiency in risk management tools including Process FMEA (PFMEA), Machine FMEA, Assembly FMEA, Poka Yoke error-proofing, Risk Priority Number (RPN) management, and Control Plan governance.

The incumbent operates in a challenging manufacturing environment characterized by unstructured legacy processes, outdated documentation, heavy manual handling operations, and budget and safety constraints that demand creative engineering solutions.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES and/or RESPONSIBILITIES
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Design, develop, and commission mechanical and automated equipment to eliminate manual heavy-handling operations in membrane manufacturing; apply DFM and DFS principles to produce safe, cost-effective, and maintainable solutions within defined capital budget constraints.

• Lead and facilitate Process FMEA (PFMEA), Machine FMEA, and Assembly FMEA sessions across new and existing manufacturing equipment and processes; assign Severity, Occurrence, and Detection ratings; calculate and manage Risk Priority Numbers (RPN); and drive corrective actions to target RPN thresholds prior to production release.
• Apply Poka Yoke (mistake-proofing) principles to equipment and process designs including fixture-based error-proofing, sensor interlocks, visual management systems, and assembly verification mechanisms to eliminate defect escape and ensure consistent product quality in membrane production operations.
• Develop, maintain, and govern Control Plans aligned with PFMEA outputs; define process control parameters, inspection frequency, measurement methods, and reaction plans; ensure Control Plans are sustained and updated as processes evolve.
• Program, configure, and troubleshoot PLC-based automation systems (Allen Bradley, Siemens, or equivalent), HMI interfaces, servo/stepper drives, pneumatic controls, and vision inspection systems to support new equipment commissioning and ongoing production reliability.
• Assess, document, and formalize legacy and underdeveloped process flows, SOPs, work instructions, and engineering standards; establish a structured documentation and engineering change control system to support process repeatability, operator training, and audit readiness.
• Conduct risk assessments including Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) and machine safety reviews for all new and modified equipment; ensure compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910, NFPA 70, ANSI B11 machine guarding standards, and Hydranautics EHS policies; integrate safety engineering controls (guarding, interlocks, E-stop systems) into all designs.
• Lead small cross-functional project teams (engineers, technicians, contractors) through full project lifecycle: scoping, design review, procurement, installation, qualification, and production handoff; manage project schedule and budget with regular status reporting to Engineering Director.
• Develop capital project business cases including ROI analysis, cost-benefit justification, and phased implementation plans for management approval; manage vendor quotes, contractor oversight, and procurement activities within approved budget frameworks.
• Partner with production, quality, maintenance, and EHS teams to resolve…