Lead MFG Automation Engineer
Danaher · Lodi, CA
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Controls
- Base pay
- $128k–$176k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 8+ years
- Industry
- Pharma & life sciences
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management controls role at Danaher (pharma & life sciences) in Lodi, CA. Define, govern, and continuously improve controls architecture, programming standards, and reliability strategies for automated manufacturing systems.
- They ask for
- 8+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Six Sigma, OEE, Root cause, FMEA, PLC, Robotics
- Base pay
- $128k–$176k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
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 Danaher
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?
- 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.
About the role
In this role, you will have the opportunity to
- ◆Define, govern, and continuously improve controls architecture, programming standards, and reliability strategies for automated manufacturing systems.
- ◆Lead systemic failure investigations and drive corrective actions for chronic, high-impact automation issues. Drive improvements in manufacturing KPIs (OEE, MTBF, throughput, yield, Cycle time) through mechanical and controls optimization and modernization initiatives.
- ◆Partner cross-functionally with Process, Maintenance, Quality, IT/OT, and EHS to ensure safe, compliant, and robust automation solutions.
- ◆Mentor and develop Senior and Mid-level Automation Engineers, elevating overall engineering capability and technical rigor.
- ◆Provide expert input into capital projects, OEM selection, equipment design reviews, and automation roadmaps.
The essential
Requirements
- ✓Ability to work on-site in a manufacturing environment and support equipment-related activities as needed.
- ✓Ability to lift, move, or carry tools, components, or equipment consistent with site safety requirements.
It would be a plus if you also possess previous experience in
- ✓Hands-on experience with electro-mechanical equipment in an automated manufacturing or production environment.
- ✓Experience using Six Sigma or continuous improvement tools to improve reliability, quality, or process performance.
Cepheid, a Danaher operating company, offers a broad array of comprehensive, competitive benefit programs that add value to our lives. Whether it’s a health care program or paid time off, our programs contribute to life beyond the job. Check out our benefits at danaherbenefitsinfo.com .
This job is also eligible for bonus/incentive pay.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees.
Join our winning team today. Together, we’ll accelerate the real-life impact of tomorrow’s science and technology. We partner with customers across the globe to help them solve their most complex challenges, architecting solutions that bring the power of science to life.
For more information, visit www.danaher.com .
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Bring more to life.
Are you ready to accelerate your potential and make a real difference within life sciences, diagnostics and biotechnology?
At Cepheid, one of Danaher’s 15+ operating companies, our work saves lives—and we’re all united by a shared commitment to innovate for tangible impact.
You’ll thrive in a culture of belonging where you and your unique viewpoint matter. And by harnessing Danaher’s system of continuous improvement, you help turn ideas into impact – innovating at the speed of life.
At Cepheid, we are passionate about improving health care through fast, accurate, molecular diagnostic systems and tests. As a member of our team, you’ll get to make an immediate, measurable impact on a global scale, within an environment that fosters career growth and development. Our mission drives us to develop groundbreaking solutions for the world’s most complex health challenges. Together, we bring MORE change to the world.
Learn about the Danaher Business System, which makes everything possible.
The Lead MFG Automation Engineer (Mechanical/Controls) is responsible for applying engineering principles to the planning, design, development, documentation, testing , troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of automated manufacturing equipment, instruments, systems , and related processes that support reliable production performance.
This position reports to the Sr. Manager, MFG Automation Engineering and is part of the MFG Automation Engineering department located in Lodi, CA, and will be an on-site role.
of the job include
- •Bachelor’s degree in: Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Mechanical engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Industrial Engineering with 8+ years of related work experience OR Master’s degree in field with 6+ years of related work experience OR Doctoral degree in field with 3+ years of work experience
- •Industrial Automation Expertise: Deep hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley ControlLogix PLCs, servo systems, robotics, vision systems, and electrical safety standards in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
- •Advanced Troubleshooting & Reliability Engineering: Proven ability to lead complex root cause investigations and implement long-term solutions using FMEA, RCA, Fault Tree Analysis, and other reliability-focused methodologies.
- •Technical Leadership: Demonstrated success leading cross-functional automation projects, influencing engineering, maintenance, quality, and operations teams, while mentoring engineers and technicians
- •Controls Architecture & SCADA Systems: Experience developing and deploying engineering standards across multiple production lines, with advanced expertise in SCADA platforms (Ignition, FactoryTalk, or equivalent) for system monitoring, data acquisition, and performance optimization
Travel, Motor Vehicle Record & Physical/Environment