Automation Engineer

Alfa Laval · Buffalo, NY

Apply on Alfa Laval ↗

Level: Engineer
Team: Controls
Base pay: $90k–$110k
Travel: 35%
Degree: Required (or equivalent experience)
Experience asked: 2+ years
Industry: Industrial
Posted: 24 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level controls role at Alfa Laval (industrial) in Buffalo, NY. You will.

They ask for: 2+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
Tools it names: PLC, Automation
Base pay: $90k–$110k
Day to day: about 35% travel

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

How this role compares

Against 18 other live controls postings in New York.

Base pay: About 18% below similar roles
Experience asked: Less than usual (2+ vs 5+)

Skills these teams ask for most

✓ PLC 84%
✓ Automation 84%
AutoCAD 37%
Root cause 32%
MES 26%
Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 21%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

It asks for 2+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone on the team first.

At a glance

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Alfa Laval
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- The posting says about 35% travel. Between which sites?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

Full description from Alfa LavalAs posted on their careers site.Show

Every day, we get opportunities to make a positive impact – on our colleagues, partners, customers and society. Together, we’re pioneering the solutions of the future and unlocking the full potential of precious resources. Trusted to act on initiative, we challenge conventional thinking to develop world-leading technologies that inspire progress in vital areas, including energy, food, water and shipping.

As we push forward, the innovative, open spirit that fuels our 140-year-old start-up culture and rapid growth also drives our personal growth. So, as we shape a more resourceful, less wasteful world, we build our careers too.

About the job

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Automation Engineer to support multiple Alfa Laval products and Business Units in delivering reliable electrical automation solutions to our customers.

The Automation Engineer is responsible for owning individual electrical engineering projects from start to finish, managing project scope, budget, and schedule in a project management capacity. This role focuses on supporting Alfa Laval's efforts to provide dependable, high-quality automation solutions while ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with customer requirements.

This opportunity is ideal for a hands-on engineer with a passion for automation and a strong foundation in electrical design. Utilizing your technical expertise and experience, you will develop electrical engineering designs, CAD drawing packages, PLC and HMI programming, operating manuals, and performance verification documentation. You will also provide commissioning and aftermarket support to customers and field technicians, including travel as needed.

The successful candidate will manage small to medium complexity electrical engineering projects, collaborating across multiple product lines and business units to deliver innovative automation solutions that support customer success.

If you're energized by technical problem-solving, cross-functional collaboration, and seeing projects through from concept to completion, we'd love to hear from you.

This is a role based in Buffalo, NY.

As a part of the team, you will

•Lead electrical and automation projects from quotation through commissioning, ensuring successful delivery on scope, schedule, and budget.
•Design and develop electrical systems, CAD drawing packages, PLC/HMI programs, and supporting technical documentation.
•Create functional descriptions, operating manuals, and performance verification documentation to support both customers and field teams.
•Test, validate, commission, and optimize automation systems to ensure reliable performance and customer satisfaction.
•Partner with customers, field technicians, suppliers, and internal teams to troubleshoot issues and deliver effective solutions.
•Support aftermarket service activities, startup assistance, and system upgrades in the field.
•Collaborate across multiple Alfa Laval business units and product lines, contributing to innovative automation solutions that make a real impact.
•Travel as needed to support installations, commissioning, troubleshooting, and customer success.

Show full description ↓

What Success Looks Like

•Delivering high-quality projects safely, on time, and within budget.
•Building strong relationships through responsive customer support and technical expertise.
•Developing reliable, well-documented automation solutions that meet customer needs.
•Demonstrating strong proficiency in electrical design, PLC/HMI programming, commissioning, and troubleshooting.
•Managing multiple priorities effectively while maintaining attention to detail and quality.
•Collaborating successfully with cross-functional teams to achieve project and business objectives.
•Contributing to a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence.

At Alfa Laval, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive and dynamic workplace that values diverse perspectives and experiences. While we typically welcome applicants from all locations, currently, we are prioritizing candidates who reside in the US or have an established presence in the area. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

What you know

You have a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent required, and:

•Minimum of 2 years of Electrical/Automation design and support background preferred
•Minimum of 2 years of comprehensive experience with Rockwell Allen Bradley software preferred; Siemens experience a plus
•Experience with Alfa Laval decanter and/or high-speed separators, a plus
•Strong proficiency in CAD software and PLC/HMI programming
•Strong project management and organizational skills
•Ability to travel (up to 35%) for commissioning and support activities required; valid passport and driver’s license required
•A collaborative approach and customer-first attitude

What’s in it for you?

Alfa Laval offers a competitive salary and full benefits package, including medical/dental/vision/life, 401(k) plan, and more. At Alfa Laval, we carefully consider a wide range of compensation factors to determine your total compensation package. We rely on market indicators to determine compensation and consider your specific job family, background, skills, and experience to get it right. These considerations can cause your compensation to vary and will also be dependent on your location. The base salary for this role is typically $90,000 - $110,000.

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