Manufacturing Automation Engineer - IGT
Howmet Aerospace · Hampton, VA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Degree
- Required
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 21 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Howmet Aerospace (aerospace & defense) in Hampton, VA.
- They ask for
- degree required
- Tools it names
- Robotics, Automation, CNC, Machining, Tooling
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
- Openings
- 2 with this title at this site
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in Virginia: typical posted base $97k–$143k.
Median of the low and high ends of 6 live postings that list pay, out of 15 controls engineer openings in Virginia, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Virginia plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 14 other live controls postings in Virginia.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $97k–$143k, from 6 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 60%
- PLC 53%
- Root cause 33%
- Team leadership 33%
- ✓ Tooling 33%
- ✓ Robotics 27%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for CNC, 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 Howmet Aerospace
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 does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- 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: Howmet Aerospace in Hampton
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Full description from Howmet AerospaceAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Job Summary
The Manufacturing Automation Engineer position located in Hampton, VA will provide technical expertise for manufacturing processes on site including CNC, EDM, Waterjet, Production Gauging and all Automated operations. Develop automated manufacturing processes to provide manufacturing expertise for the engineering team. Qualify new product on manufacturing equipment, internally and with the customer and provide support for manufacturing to improve existing processes.
responsibilities
to fulfil business needs across all Business Centers
- ◆Maintaining focus on supporting production while implementing new products and process improvements
- ◆Quality control of work instruction documentation and product criteria
- ◆Working with Maintenance to help fault find manufacturing systems
- ◆Direct reporting to Manufacturing Engineering Lead who reports to Engineering Manager. Our largest customer is Manufacturing, led by Operations Manager
- ◆Works within Engineering to provide engineered solutions to Manufacturing problems
- ◆Achieves specific sub-function goals
responsibilities
to fulfil business needs across all Business Centers
- ◆Maintaining focus on supporting production while implementing new products and process improvements
- ◆Quality control of work instruction documentation and product criteria
- ◆Working with Maintenance to help fault find manufacturing systems
- ◆Direct reporting to Manufacturing Engineering Lead who reports to Engineering Manager. Our largest customer is Manufacturing, led by Operations Manager
- ◆Works within Engineering to provide engineered solutions to Manufacturing problems
- ◆Achieves specific sub-function goals
Basic
Qualifications
- ✓New or expected graduate with a Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university in Engineering (Preferably Mechanical)
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Salary
Anticipated Pay Range: $70K-80K per year. *Pay rates within this range are determined based on various factors including experience, education, certifications, etc.
Essential Job
but not limited to
- •Create, verify and release machining programs for programable manufacturing equipment including CNC, EDM & Waterjet
- •Create, verify and release robot programs for automated cells in Wax, Monoshell and Post cast
- •Design and deliver tooling and fixtures for manufacturing processes
- •Development and implementation of new advanced manufacturing equipment and automation
- •Support justification of capital funding requests
- •Cost reduction and process improvement of current manufacturing techniques
- •Creating and maintaining all documentation including SOPs, EMSs, JSAs for CNC, EDM, Waterjet, Production gauging and other Automated operations
- •Support NADCAP compliance on NADCAP controlled manufacturing equipment
- •Mentor other team members in CAD, CAM, EDM & Automation
- •Provide manufacturing engineering solutions to executional scrap issues
- •Support identification and implantation of new manufacturing technology
- •Responsible for program storage, data back-ups and revision control for Manufacturing equipment
- •Provide technical expertise for qualification of outplant machining operations
- •Implement and support EH&S activities
- •Prioritizing product demands, process control tasks and manufacturing engineering
Other Skills/Abilities
- •Prioritizing product demands, process control tasks and manufacturing engineering
Our Story
Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts and forged wheels. With $8.3 Billion in revenue in 2025, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contributing to our customers’ success and making a positive impact on the world. To learn more about the way Howmet Aerospace Inc. is advancing the sustainability of our customers, markets, and communities where we operate, review the 2025 Environmental Social and Governance report at www.howmet.com/esg-report . Follow: LinkedIn , Twitter , Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube .
If you need assistance to complete your application due to a disability, please email: TalentAcquisitionCoE_Howmet@howmet.com