Senior Automation Engineer

WATLOW ELECTRIC MALAYSIA SDN. BHD.; Kedah; On-site; MYR 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13th-month pay

Contractual bonus

Public holidays: 18 days

Job summary

Watlow Electric Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. seeks a Senior Automation Engineer to lead design, development, and implementation of automation solutions across manufacturing lines.

You will drive projects from concept to production release with hands-on problem solving and cross-functional collaboration. Ideal candidates have 7+ years in automation engineering, strong 3D modeling skills (SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo, NX), and fluency in Mandarin and English.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Typically 7+ years of automation engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience automating standalone machines and multi-station assembly lines.
• Fluent in Mandarin and English; Mandarin proficiency preferred for business communication.
• Proficient in 3D modeling software (SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo, NX).
• Strong problem-solving, data-driven decisions, and project management skills.
• Ability to coordinate across engineering, production, quality, maintenance, and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation projects from concept through design, build, and production release.
• Develop automation for single machines, work cells, and integrated lines.
• Work with cross-functional teams to define automation requirements and scope.
• Create and review mechanical concepts, layouts, tooling, and guarding designs.
• Support supplier selection, FATs, SATs, and final handover.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and control system issues on automation equipment.
• Drive root cause analysis for downtime, quality issues, and process instability.
• Improve reliability, safety, maintainability, and productivity of automation.
• Develop financial justification for automation investments and manage project plans.
• Maintain equipment documentation (URS, FMEA, drawings, control notes).
• Support safety assessments and compliance with standards.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians on design, troubleshooting, and projects.

Skills

Mandarin & English proficiency

Project management

Problem solving

Team communication

Lean manufacturing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Inventor

Creo

NX

Job description

We solve the world’s toughest and most important thermal problems. As a world-class industrial technology and thermal products leader, Watlow designs and manufactures heating solutions consisting primarily of electric resistive heaters, temperature sensors, temperature and power controllers and supporting software – all the components of a thermal system. We partner with our customers to optimize thermal performance, decrease design time, and improve the efficiency of products and applications. Watlow brings 100 years of experience to numerous industries, including semiconductor processing, clean environment technology, energy generation, diesel emissions, medical and food service equipment.

** Welcome those currently are holding the position of Senior Automation Engineer / Automation Project Engineer

Job Summary

We are seeking a Senior Automation Engineer to lead the design, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of automation solutions for manufacturing operations. This role will cover automation projects ranging from standalone machines to fully integrated assembly production lines. The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on automation experience, solid mechanical and controls understanding, excellent problem-solving ability, and proven project management skills.

Key Responsibilities

Lead automation projects from concept development through design, build, debug, qualification, installation, and production release.

Develop automation solutions for single machines, work cells, semi-automated processes, and integrated assembly lines.

Work with production, process engineering, quality, maintenance, and external suppliers to define automation requirements and project scope.

Create or review mechanical concepts, layouts, fixtures, tooling, machine guarding, and equipment designs using 3D solid modeling software.

Support equipment specification, supplier selection, technical reviews, factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, and final handover.

Troubleshoot automation equipment issues related to mechanical systems, electrical controls, sensors, motion, pneumatics, robotics, PLCs, HMIs, and vision systems.

Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions for equipment downtime, quality issues, cycle time losses, and process instability.

Improve automation reliability, safety, maintainability, productivity, and manufacturability.

Develop financial justification for capital investments related to automation

Manage project schedules, budgets, risks, action plans, documentation, and stakeholder communication.

Develop and maintain equipment documentation, including URS, FMEA, drawings, control logic notes, spare parts lists, validation documents, and work instructions.

Support machine safety assessments, risk reduction, guarding design, and compliance with applicable safety standards.

Mentor junior engineers and technicians in automation design, troubleshooting, and project execution.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.

Typically 7+ years of automation engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.

Demonstrated experience automating both standalone machines and multi-station assembly production lines.

Fluent in Mandarin and English, including technical discussion, documentation review, and supplier communication. ** Preferable have ability to speak in Mandarin as the job responsibilities and business communication needs, candidates with Mandarin proficiency are required for this role;

Proficient in 3D solid modeling software such as SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo, NX, or equivalent.

Strong problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis, structured troubleshooting, and data-driven decision making.

Strong project management skills with the ability to simultaneously manage multiple automation projects from concept to production release.

Good understanding of mechanical design, machine design, tooling, fixtures, pneumatics, sensors, actuators, and motion systems.

Working knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, servo systems, robotics, machine vision, electrical controls, and industrial communication networks.

Experience working with automation suppliers, machine builders, and cross-functional manufacturing teams.

Critical Skills and Competencies

Machine and line automation concept development

PLC, HMI, servo, robotics, and vision system understanding

Mechanical design and 3D modeling capability

Fixture, tooling, and poka-yoke design

Equipment troubleshooting and root cause analysis

Cycle time, OEE, yield, and productivity improvement

Lean manufacturing principles

Machine safety and risk assessment

Design for manufacturability, maintainability, and reliability

Supplier technical management

Project planning, execution, and stakeholder communication

Documentation discipline and change control

Hands-on shop floor problem solving

Strong communication across engineering, production, quality, maintenance, and suppliers.

Personal Attributes

Hands-on, practical, and comfortable working directly on the production floor.

Able to move between big-picture system design and detailed technical troubleshooting.

Strong ownership mindset with the ability to drive projects to completion.

Clear communicator who can align technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Curious, disciplined, and continuously looking for better ways to automate and improve manufacturing processes.

Unlock job insights

Hirer responsiveness Salary match Number of applicants

Machinery & Automation 101-1,000 employees

Watlow, founded in 1922 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. We already established more than 100 years.

Watlow, approximately $1 billion in annual revenues has seen tremendous growth, while demonstrating strong profitability and cash generation. The company manufactures heaters, sensors, and controls internationally for a wide range of high growth end markets. Acquired by Tinicum a leading Private Equity Firm in 2021, Watlow is positioned for future growth. This is a great opportunity to join a growing company that is going through change. At Watlow, while demonstrating uncompromising integrity, respect, commitment to teamwork, and relentless drive to add value.

Watlow, founded in 1922 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. We already established more than 100 years.

Watlow, approximately $1 billion in annual revenues has seen tremendous growth, while demonstrating strong profitability and cash generation. The company manufactures heaters, sensors, and controls internationally for a wide range of high growth end markets. Acquired by Tinicum a leading Private Equity Firm in 2021, Watlow is positioned for future growth. This is a great opportunity to join a growing company that is going through change. At Watlow, while demonstrating uncompromising integrity, respect, commitment to teamwork, and relentless drive to add value.

Perks and benefits Great opportunity to join as pioneer team 13th-month Contractual Bonus & other Bonus Miscellaneous allowances, gifts & awards Yearly 18 days of Public Holidays and many mores~

What can I earn as an Automation Engineer