Manufacturing and Automation Engineer

Our client in Vista, California is looking for a Manufacturing and Automation Engineer to join their team!

This is an on-site/full-time/direct-hire position
Salary based on experience: $124K-$136K

• Lead automation, controls, and systems engineering initiatives across manufacturing and packaging operations, including compounding, encapsulation, capsule drying, sorting, capsule bottling, liquid filling, labeling, cartoning, case packing, palletizing, and future manufacturing and packaging technologies.
• Lead equipment selection, specification, procurement, FAT, installation, commissioning, optimization, and lifecycle management of manufacturing, packaging, automation, and robotics systems while coordinating with OEMs, contractors, and system integrators.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Product Development, and Engineering teams to improve equipment reliability, product quality, throughput, and operator effectiveness.
• Analyze manufacturing and packaging system performance to identify bottlenecks and implement automation, controls, and process improvements that increase throughput, improve OEE, reduce downtime, and minimize waste.
• Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis efforts involving manufacturing equipment, packaging systems, PLC controls, vision systems, sensors, servo systems, industrial networks, and machine communications. Develop standardized troubleshooting guides and corrective action procedures to support rapid issue resolution and knowledge transfer.
• Support integration and communication between processing equipment, packaging equipment, OEE systems, MES platforms, SCADA systems, and enterprise reporting systems.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Work Instructions (WIs), One-Point Lessons (OPLs), troubleshooting guides, startup and shutdown procedures, and equipment operating manuals.
• Create and maintain manufacturing, packaging, setup, changeover, inspection, cleaning, and preventive maintenance checklists.
• Create and maintain automation standards, controls documentation, network architecture diagrams, equipment specifications, and system validation records.
• Support development of training materials and provide technical training for operators, mechanics, technicians, and engineering personnel.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, and OEE tracking to boost packaging line reliability and uptime.
• Develop and implement changeover reduction strategies (e.g., SMED) to improve packaging flexibility and responsiveness.
• Lead automation and controls aspects of capital projects including new equipment installations, facility expansions, utility upgrades, and manufacturing line improvements.
• Develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, technical specifications, and commissioning plans while managing contractors, vendors, and integrators.
• Drive Industry 4.0 initiatives including smart factory technologies, connected equipment, machine data collection, cloud-based analytics, predictive maintenance, and AI-enabled manufacturing solutions, including Snowflake.
• Establish and maintain machine-to-machine, machine-to-system, and enterprise-level connectivity utilizing OPC UA, MQTT, Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus TCP, and other industrial communication protocols.

• Positive
  - Ability to view all situations with a positive attitude.
• Innovative
  - Ability to look beyond the standard solutions and "think outside the box".
• Detail Oriented
  - Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.
• Enthusiastic
  - Ability to bring energy to the performance of a task.
• Friendly
  - Ability to exhibit a cheerful demeanor toward others.
• Initiative
  - Ability to make decisions or take actions to solve a problem or reach a goal.
• Organized
  - Possessing the trait of being organized or following a systematic method of performing a task.
• Reliability
  - The trait of being dependable and trustworthy.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Automation Engineering, or Mechatronics Engineering is a must.

Experience :

• 7+ years of hands-on experience with packaging and production line systems automation in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, supplement or food industries.
• Hands-on experience with bottling lines, liquid filling machines, labelers, case packers, and other downstream packaging equipment.
• Experience with vision inspection systems, servo drives, robotics (pick & place, palletizers), and conveyor systems.
• Proficiency in PLC programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.), HMI/SCADA systems configuration, and industrial communication protocols.
• Experience with robotic systems (e.g., ABB, FANUC, Yaskawa) integration and programming.
• Hands-on experience with automation and control of CIP (Clean-In-Place) systems, including validation and optimization of cleaning cycles.
• Familiarity with Industry 4.0 technologies, IoT devices, smart factory solutions, and data analytics…