Automation Engineer- Riverside, MO, USA

• ◆Define, maintain, and enforce plant automation standards, design specifications, controls architecture, documentation requirements, and risk-mitigation protocols.
• ◆Review and approve automation concepts, detailed designs, software architectures, safety solutions, modifications, and production launches.
• ◆Lead automation capital planning and execution, including business cases, ROI analysis, scope development, vendor selection, technical bid evaluation, schedule and budget control, installation, commissioning, and final acceptance.
• ◆Coordinate internal stakeholders, equipment suppliers, system integrators, maintenance, operations, IT/OT, quality, and safety teams to deliver compliant and production-ready systems.
• ◆Establish launch-readiness criteria and verify that equipment meets safety, quality, cycle-time, reliability, maintainability, documentation, training, and spare-parts

before release to production.

• ✓Monitor automated-cell performance using OEE, mean time between failures, downtime, throughput, quality, and 30/60/90-day launch-stability metrics; lead corrective actions and escalation for significant performance events.
• ✓Own automation lifecycle governance from concept through sustainment, ensuring systems are not transferred to operations until defined stability criteria are achieved and no unsupported or “orphaned” systems remain.
• ✓Drive root-cause analysis, continuous improvement, standardization, and replication of proven automation solutions across the plant.
• ✓Maintain awareness of emerging automation technologies and recommend practical applications that improve safety, quality, productivity, flexibility, or cost.

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• ✓Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, industrial, manufacturing, mechatronics, controls, or a related engineering discipline.
• ✓Seven or more years of progressive experience in manufacturing automation, controls engineering, systems integration, or advanced manufacturing engineering.
• ✓Demonstrated experience leading automation capital projects valued at $500,000 or more, including technical scope, supplier management, schedule, budget, commissioning, and acceptance.
• ✓Working knowledge of lean manufacturing, OEE improvement, structured problem-solving, risk assessment, and equipment-launch processes.
• ✓Ability to interpret electrical schematics, mechanical layouts, control narratives, network drawings, safety documentation, and supplier technical proposals.
• ✓Strong leadership, decision-making, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to establish technical direction and hold stakeholders accountable to standards.

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Specific Technical

• ✓PLC and controls: Advanced understanding of Rockwell Automation ControlLogix and CompactLogix architectures; ability to review ladder logic, structured text, and function block diagrams; proficiency navigating and managing projects in RSLogix 5000 and Studio 5000.
• ✓HMI systems: Ability to review and approve FactoryTalk View SE and ME applications, alarm strategies, operator interfaces, security, and system integration.
• ✓Robotics: Working knowledge of FANUC robot programming and system integration, including Teach Pendant programs, logic validation, iRVision, Dual Check Safety, CR-series collaborative robot safety concepts, and Roboguide simulation.
• ✓Vision systems: Ability to review Keyence CV-X and Cognex In-Sight or VisionPro applications, including lighting, inspection criteria, pass/fail thresholds, and vision-to-PLC or vision-to-robot communications.
• ✓Industrial networks: Strong understanding of EtherNet/IP architecture, device addressing, managed-switch configuration, bandwidth considerations, diagnostics, I/O mapping, tag structures, and communication handshaking.
• ✓Industrial cybersecurity: Working knowledge of OT network segmentation, access control, secure remote support, asset management, backup and recovery, and baseline industrial cybersecurity practices.
• ✓Machine safety: Knowledge of machinery risk assessment and safeguarding principles, including ISO 12100 concepts, safety PLC applications, robot safety, and validation expectations.

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