Sr. Automation Engineer
Fresenius Medical Care · Knoxville, TN
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Controls
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Medical devices
- Posted
- 21 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior controls role at Fresenius Medical Care (medical devices) in Knoxville, TN.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), PLC, Robotics, Automation
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in the US: typical posted base $97k–$141k.
Median of the low and high ends of 265 live postings that list pay, out of 763 controls engineer openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Tennessee plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 16 other live controls postings in Tennessee.
- Experience asked
- Typical (5+ years)
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ PLC 82%
- ✓ Automation 76%
- ✓ Robotics 71%
- Root cause 47%
- New product launch 35%
- ✓ Team leadership 29%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Six Sigma, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
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 Fresenius Medical Care
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.
This plant: Fresenius Medical Care in Knoxville
2 other open roles at this site.
- Supplier Quality Engineer I · Quality
- Quality Systems Engineer · Quality
Full description from Fresenius Medical CareAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Conducts Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)/automation development and troubling shooting supporting all plant departments. Understands manufacturing, mechanical, electrical, computer, etc. engineering principles with experience in software engineering.
- ◆Creates acceptance criteria and conduct acceptance tests.
- ◆Conducts assessment of existing and new supplier capabilities.
- ◆Prepares process validation protocols, execute, and document results.
- ◆Interacts and manages vendors concerning parts or equipment they supply or propose to supply.
- ◆Experienced Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) manufacturing programmer.
- ◆Processes, develops tests, analyzes data, and makes recommendations.
- ◆Manages multiple projects in a manufacturing environment from maintenance of existing machines to specifying, purchasing, and set up of new equipment.
- ◆Performs investigations relating to manufacturing deviations and anomalies associated with automation and software.
- ◆Interface with planning, tooling, and maintenance departments to optimize and ensure efficient production.
- ◆Confer with vendors to determine product specifications and arrange for purchase of equipment, materials or parts, and evaluate products according to specifications and quality standards.v
- ◆Maintain general housekeeping of working area and plant.
- ◆May provide assistance to junior level staff with more complex tasks that require a higher level of understanding of functions.
- ◆May escalate issues to supervisor/manager for resolution, as deemed necessary.
- ◆Mentor other staff as applicable.
- ◆Review and comply with the Code of Business Conduct and all applicable company policies and procedures, local, state and federal laws and regulations.
- ◆Assist with various projects as assigned by a direct supervisor.
- ◆Other duties as assigned.
Additional
responsibilities
may include focus on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department or location specific functions.
Experience and required skills
- ✓Bachelor’s Degree required, advanced degree a plus.
- ✓Minimum 5 years’ related experience
- ✓Medical device industry experience or other regulatory industry preferred.
- ✓Able to work independently or with a team to complete projects on time and within budget.
- ✓Strong problem solving, scheduling and prioritizing skills, self-motivated and directed.
- ✓Progressively thinking outside the box is pivotal to this position. With proven ability to lead and motivate from both a development team as well as users and operators.
- ✓Experience with Lean manufacturing and six sigma methodologies, philosophies, tools, and methods.
- ✓Experience working with automated equipment.
- ✓Experience on SIEMENS PLC
- ✓Experience on Profibus Network
- ✓Experience on PLC Analyzer
- ✓Experience on SEW Drives (MOVIDRIVE)
- ✓Hands on experience on EPSON and/or Fanuc robots
- ✓Hands on experience on ABB Robots
- ✓Strong oral and written communication skills.
- ✓Proficient with PCs and Microsoft Office applications.
Fresenius Medical Care maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.
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Purpose and scope
Provides plant automation and process engineering support. Provides engineering efforts from inception through production in new and existing product design and manufacturing systems development.
Physical demands and working conditions
- •The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- •Occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.
- •Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- •Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception and corrected 20/20 vision.
- •Regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts.
- •The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Personal protective equipment for hearing is required.