
Manufacturing Automation Engineer (Electrical Engineer)
Simpson Strong-Tie · Stockton, CA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Base pay
- $81k–$130k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Metals
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Simpson Strong-Tie (metals) in Stockton, CA. As a Manufacturing Automation Engineer you are responsible for designing electrical control systems for industrial equipment and automation projects from concept through production and installation.
- They ask for
- 3+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- PLC, Robotics, Automation, AutoCAD, EHS / safety
- Base pay
- $81k–$130k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $124k–$179k. This one lists $81k–$130k.
Median of the low and high ends of 56 live postings that list pay, out of 109 controls engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 108 other live controls postings in California.
- Base pay
- About 30% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)
Typical $124k–$179k, from 53 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 66%
- ✓ PLC 47%
- ✓ Robotics 43%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 38%
- Python 33%
- Root cause 20%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for EHS / safety, 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 Simpson Strong-Tie
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: Simpson Strong-Tie in Stockton
2 other open roles at this site.
- Tool & Die Helper · Manufacturing · Technician
- Tool & Die Maker Journeyman · Manufacturing · Technician
Full description from Simpson Strong-TieAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
requirements
for and facilitate manufacturing and other improvement or innovation projects. Such as:
40%
- ✓Design electrical control systems for industrial machinery and automated equipment.
- ✓Design and layout electrical control cabinets, including component selection, wire routing, and panel layouts.
- ✓Specify electrical components including PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, motor starters, safety devices, sensors, power supplies, and networking equipment.
- ✓Ensure electrical designs comply with NEC, NFPA 70, NFPA 79, UL508A, OSHA, and applicable industry standards.
20%
- ✓Create electrical schematics using AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar CAD software.
- ✓Create and maintain engineering documentation including wiring diagrams, panel layouts, installation drawings, and revision records.
- ✓Develop Bills of Materials (BOMs) for electrical assemblies.
20%
- ✓Assist with PLC programming, HMI development, and troubleshooting using platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or other industrial controllers.
- ✓Provide technical support during manufacturing, panel assembly, machine startup, testing, and commissioning.
- ✓Troubleshoot electrical systems during fabrication, installation, and customer acceptance testing.
- ✓Develop Training instructions and/or conduct initial training of branch employees on operation and maintenance of systems.
- ✓Support programming and integration of conveyors, robotic systems, servo systems, and other industrial automation equipment.
20%
- ✓Work with mechanical engineers to ensure seamless integration of electrical and mechanical systems.
- ✓Apply working knowledge of manufacturing processes to new product design. Participate in brainstorming sessions to ensure the manufacturability of new products and processes.
- ✓Support continuous improvement initiatives to improve equipment reliability, manufacturability, and production efficiency. Evaluate existing manufacturing processes and workflows to identify potential improvements.
Desired skills and experience
If you can do everything listed above, you’ve got what it takes. Perhaps some of the following would be helpful too:
Required Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
- ✓3+ years of experience designing industrial electrical control systems.
- ✓Experience designing industrial control panels and electrical schematics.
- ✓Knowledge of industrial automation and manufacturing processes.
- ✓Familiarity with PLC programming and industrial networking.
- ✓Strong understanding of industrial electrical components and power distribution.
- ✓Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and mechanical drawings.
- ✓Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills.
- ✓Excellent communication and project coordination skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation PLCs and FactoryTalk software.
- ✓Knowledge of robotic systems (Fanuc) photo eyes and other sensors (Keyence, Banner)
Travel required
This job does not require travel.
Requirements
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, see, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit. This role operates large equipment while standing for approximately 8-12 hours, regularly twisting and bending in a repetitive motion. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may frequently lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds, and heavier weights with proper equipment.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Simpson Strong-Tie is a leader in engineered structural connectors, software, and solutions for the building industry. We maintain a reputation as a trusted manufacturer, partner, and corporate citizen committed to our customers and employees.
Our founder, Barc Simpson established 9 Principles of Business we live out as company values and have made Simpson Strong-Tie an inspiring place to work since 1956. Our team of talented people are dedicated to our shared mission: to provide solutions that help people design and build safer, stronger structures.
Learn about our company culture directly from our team .
YOU
As a Manufacturing Automation Engineer you are responsible for designing electrical control systems for industrial equipment and automation projects from concept through production and installation. The ideal candidate will create electrical schematics, design control panels, support PLC and HMI programming, and work closely with mechanical engineers, fabrication, and installation teams to deliver reliable, high-quality systems.
What you’ll be doing
Identify
Work status & location
This full-time, exempt, position is located in Stockton, CA. It is not eligible for remote work.
Relocation
Relocation is not available for this position.
PAY
$81,000 - $129,900 / year
And work environment
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work environment
The job may risk exposure to heat and/or cold, loud noise levels, vibration, and moving mechanical parts.
Rewards at simpson strong-tie
We recognize and reward employees with a carefully designed and comprehensive rewards package, including competitive compensation, quarterly bonuses or commission and first-rate benefits. May exclude some positions, such as seasonal jobs.
- •Quarterly Bonuses/Commission: You will be eligible for either a bonus or commission, paid on a quarterly basis. We believe all employees affect customers, sales and revenue — directly or indirectly – and should be rewarded by sharing the company profits.
- •Benefits: We provide a wide range of benefits for eligible f
