Manufacturing and Automation Engineer

Nordic Naturals, a leading manufacturer of premium Omega-3 nutritional supplements, is seeking a Manufacturing and Automation Engineer to drive innovation, operational excellence, and manufacturing efficiency across its production and packaging operations. This position is responsible for evaluating, designing, implementing, and optimizing automated manufacturing systems supporting softgel compounding, encapsulation, liquid compounding & filling, gummy manufacturing & packaging, and finished goods bottling operations.

The Manufacturing and Automation Engineer will lead continuous improvement efforts focused on increasing throughput, improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), reducing waste, minimizing downtime, and enhancing product quality. In addition this role will lead capital projects, equipment installations, process automation initiatives. The role partners closely with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Validation, and Supply Chain teams to ensure manufacturing systems operate safely, reliably, and efficiently while supporting future capacity expansion and technological advancement.

This individual will also provide technical leadership by developing equipment standards, troubleshooting complex manufacturing issues, implementing data-driven process improvements, and coaching production personnel on automation technologies and best manufacturing practices.

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 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.