
Senior Automation Engineer
Materion · Lincoln, RI
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Controls
- Base pay
- $92k–$147k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Industry
- Metals
- Posted
- Yesterday
The role in 30 seconds
A senior controls role at Materion (metals) in Lincoln, RI. Monitor, troubleshoot, upgrade, and repair complex automation-based production processes.
- They ask for
- 10+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), PLC, Robotics, Automation
- Base pay
- $92k–$147k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in the US: typical posted base $97k–$140k. This one lists $92k–$147k.
Median of the low and high ends of 300 live postings that list pay, out of 875 controls engineer openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Rhode Island plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 874 other live controls postings in the US.
- Base pay
- In line with similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (10+ vs 5+)
Typical $97k–$140k, from 294 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 73%
- ✓ PLC 68%
- ✓ Robotics 40%
- ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 26%
- Root cause 24%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention 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 Materion
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: Materion in Lincoln
2 other open roles at this site.
- Industrial Electrician - 1st Shift · Reliability · Technician
- Maintenance Mechanic B - 1st Shift · Reliability · Technician
Full description from MaterionAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
Provide technical leadership in the design, development and implementation of site process automation and control systems.
Support the full system lifecycle for process automation and control systems including design, assessment, selection, commissioning, and integration of systems.
Monitor, troubleshoot, upgrade, and repair complex automation-based production processes.
Support Machine Profiler &Vision systems (PSI, MVC, Keyence, Cognex, Dr Schenk)
Support process automation systems by troubleshooting, diagnosing issues and working closely with manufacturing and maintenance personnel.
Provide technical assistance to site operations and corporate divisions through investigations, system assessments, and design support.
Provide technical and non-technical feedback to validation and IT personnel for the successful connection and release of automation-based systems.
Modernize logical control systems for plant equipment, facilities, and processes to improve efficiency, product quality and working conditions.
Improve process engineering resources by creating and managing Historian based data acquisition systems both on IT & OT side of the business; ProFace, AVEVA (Wonderware) InTouch, Archestra Historian, iba AG, KepwareEX, OmniServer, OPC UA, etc.
Maximize machine uptime with on the floor troubleshooting support of manufacturing activities.
Design solutions to ensure quality and stability of automation systems through future expansions, replacements, or upgrades.
Support various Programmable Logic Controllers including but not limited to; Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk & ControlLogix, Siemens TIA Portal & WinCC Advanced, Emerson/GE Proficy Machine Edition, DeltaV, GE Fanuc, DirectLogic.
Develop & Implement HMI & SCADA based systems for use in manufacturing operations.
Communicate with customers and integrators on product and business requirements.
Create control algorithms to govern equipment operation using sensors and various feedback sources.
Increase efficiencies by designing innovative automation technology
Provide technical and automation-based expertise to manufacturing and facilities as needed.
Support the site’s electrical distribution and technological infrastructure.
Write code, create scripts and implement software-based automation tools for ongoing product platform releases.
Assist IT personnel in overall technological transformation; server migrations, OS migration, and communications related to software and machinery operations.
Requirements
BS Degree in Electrical, Electronics Engineering or related technological field and at least 5 to 10+ years of relevant professional work experience.
3-5+ years’ experience in design, manufacture and installation of hardware-based systems and machinery and/or plant process equipment.
Proficiency with computer systems and automation systems encompassing both hardware and software-based technologies.
Ability to identify, adapt and solve problems quickly.
Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills required.
Work well under pressure and time constraints.
Proficient with industrial controls & processes.
Experience working in a manufacturing environment.
Strong customer verbal and written communication skills.
Strong organizational skills to meet business demands.
Ability to develop business cases and financial justifications for implementing capital projects.
$92,200 - $147,450*
- ✓The salary pay range listed is a guide for this position and may vary depending on experience, education, geographic location, and other qualifications. The final offer will be determined based on the candidate's individual merits and the company's compensation policies.
Materion Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) is an equal employment opportunity employer. It is the Company’s policy to not unlawfully discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. The Company also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also the Company’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions. The information collected by this application is solely to determine suitability for employment, verify identity and maintain employment statistics on applicants.
Materion’s Veteran Employee Resource group supports veterans and pr
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At Materion, everyone is included, respected and offered opportunity to grow. Join us!
Reporting to the Plant Engineering Manager, the Senior Automation Engineer is responsible for the design, implementation, administration, scripting, enhancement, troubleshooting, monitoring and maintenance of production and non-production process automation hardware and software systems. This role extends to managing project builds, reports, documentation using various software interfaces and undertakes project work including overall responsibility of projects as guided by the business strategy and the Engineering Manager. This position works closely with the business and requires a solid technical background in mechanical, electrical, and computer-based systems with a customer-based focus.
