SR Automation Engineer - MFG

Level: Experienced

Job Location:

Shreveport, LA 71107

We are seeking a high-caliber Senior Automation Engineer to lead our Innovation Team and spearhead the modernization of our buttweld fitting manufacturing facility. This role goes beyond standard engineering; you will be responsible for identifying high-impact production areas, owning the end-to-end design of automated systems, and hitting clear, timeline-based modernization milestones with defined ROI. This position will report to the engineering department and engineering manager while working heavily with the operations team on execution of plans.

• Team Leadership:
  Direct, mentor, and task a team of direct reports on the innovation team to execute automation upgrades safely and on schedule.
• Multi-Platform Integration:
  Program, troubleshoot, and bridge communication between mixed PLC environments containing Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Omron, and Delta platforms.
• System Design & Modernization:
  Retrofit heavy legacy machinery (hydraulic presses, forging cells, machining/beveling centers) with modern HMIs, advanced motion control, and SCADA systems.
• Smart Maintenance Integration:
  Implement IoT tracking sensors to pipe real-time cycle data and machine health straight into our CMMS to prevent unplanned downtime.
• Project Management & Lifecycle:
  Own the entire lifecycle of automation projects, from initial CAD schematics and part procurement to physical line commissioning and safety verification.

• Months 1-3 (Assess & Plan):
  Complete a comprehensive audit of the current legacy lines. Identify a specific, bottlenecked production area and present a detailed automation proposal complete with a budgeted bill of materials (BOM) and projected ROI calculation (e.g., labor reduction, throughput increase, or scrap reduction).
• Months 4-9 (Execute):
  Lead the innovation team through the physical layout, multi-PLC programming phase, and hardware deployment of the approved project area.
• Months 10-12 (Commission & Prove):
  Successfully bring the automated system online. Train the maintenance and operations crews, eliminate system bugs, and deliver a formal report proving the system achieved its defined operational and financial ROI targets.

• Experience:
  
  5 to 10 years of industrial automation engineering experience, with strong preference given to heavy manufacturing, metal forming, or machining backgrounds.
• Management:
  Minimum 2 years of experience leading engineering teams, managing direct reports, or directing major capital expense (Cap Ex) projects.
• Technical Mastery:
  Advanced programming capabilities in Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Omron, and Delta PLC/HMI environments.
• Engineering Tools:
  Proficiency with electrical design and schematic software (e.g., AutoCAD Electrical).
• Process Knowledge:
  Strong understanding of hydraulics, heavy industrial machinery, safety gating circuits, and industrial networks (Ether Net/IP, Modbus).