Automation Engineer

Alfa Laval; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life insurance

401(k) plan

Competitive salary

Life insurance

401(k) plan

Job summary

Alfa Laval in Buffalo, NY seeks an Automation Engineer to deliver reliable electrical automation solutions for multiple products and business units. You will own projects from start to finish, manage scope, budget, and schedule, and travel to support installations.

You will develop electrical designs, CAD drawings, PLC/HMI programs, and manuals, while providing commissioning and aftermarket support to customers and field technicians.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• 2+ years of Electrical/Automation design and support background.
• 2+ years of experience with Rockwell Allen Bradley software; Siemens experience is a plus.
• Experience with Alfa Laval decanter and/or high-speed separators is a plus.
• Strong CAD skills and PLC/HMI programming.
• Travel up to 35% for commissioning and support; passport and driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical and automation projects from quotation through commissioning, ensuring scope, schedule, and budget alignment.
• Design and develop electrical systems, CAD drawings, PLC/HMI programs, and technical documentation.
• Create operating manuals and performance verification documentation for customers and field teams.
• Test, validate, commission, and optimize automation systems for reliable performance.
• Collaborate with customers, field technicians, suppliers, and internal teams to troubleshoot issues.
• Support aftermarket service activities, startup assistance, and system upgrades in the field.
• Work across Alfa Laval business units and product lines to deliver innovative automation solutions.
• Travel as needed to support installations, commissioning, troubleshooting, and customer success.

Skills

Electrical design

PLC/HMI programming

Project management

CAD software

Field installation support

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Rockwell Allen Bradley software

Siemens software

CAD software

Decanter knowledge

Job description

Every day, we get opportunities to make a positive impact – on our colleagues, partners, customers and society. Together, we’re pioneering the solutions of the future and unlocking the full potential of precious resources. Trusted to act on initiative, we challenge conventional thinking to develop world-leading technologies that inspire progress in vital areas, including energy, food, water and shipping.

As we push forward, the innovative, open spirit that fuels our 140-year-old start-up culture and rapid growth also drives our personal growth. So, as we shape a more resourceful, less wasteful world, we build our careers too.

About the job

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Automation Engineer to support multiple Alfa Laval products and Business Units in delivering reliable electrical automation solutions to our customers.

The Automation Engineer is responsible for owning individual electrical engineering projects from start to finish, managing project scope, budget, and schedule in a project management capacity. This role focuses on supporting Alfa Laval's efforts to provide dependable, high-quality automation solutions while ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with customer requirements.

This opportunity is ideal for a hands‑on engineer with a passion for automation and a strong foundation in electrical design. Utilizing your technical expertise and experience, you will develop electrical engineering designs, CAD drawing packages, PLC and HMI programming, operating manuals, and performance verification documentation. You will also provide commissioning and aftermarket support to customers and field technicians, including travel as needed.

The successful candidate will manage small to medium complexity electrical engineering projects, collaborating across multiple product lines and business units to deliver innovative automation solutions that support customer success.

If you're energized by technical problem‑solving, cross‑functional collaboration, and seeing projects through from concept to completion, we'd love to hear from you.

This is a role based in Buffalo, NY.

As a part of the team, you will:

• Lead electrical and automation projects from quotation through commissioning, ensuring successful delivery on scope, schedule, and budget.
• Design and develop electrical systems, CAD drawing packages, PLC/HMI programs, and supporting technical documentation.
• Create functional descriptions, operating manuals, and performance verification documentation to support both customers and field teams.
• Test, validate, commission, and optimize automation systems to ensure reliable performance and customer satisfaction.
• Partner with customers, field technicians, suppliers, and internal teams to troubleshoot issues and deliver effective solutions.
• Support aftermarket service activities, startup assistance, and system upgrades in the field.
• Collaborate across multiple Alfa Laval business units and product lines, contributing to innovative automation solutions that make a real impact.
• Travel as needed to support installations, commissioning, troubleshooting, and customer success.

What Success Looks Like

• Delivering high-quality projects safely, on time, and within budget.
• Building strong relationships through responsive customer support and technical expertise.
• Developing reliable, well-documented automation solutions that meet customer needs.
• Demonstrating strong proficiency in electrical design, PLC/HMI programming, commissioning, and troubleshooting.
• Managing multiple priorities effectively while maintaining attention to detail and quality.
• Collaborating successfully with cross-functional teams to achieve project and business objectives.
• Contributing to a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence.

At Alfa Laval, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive and dynamic workplace that values diverse perspectives and experiences. While we typically welcome applicants from all locations, currently, we are prioritizing candidates who reside in the US or have an established presence in the area.Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

What you know:

You have a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent required, and:

• Minimum of 2 years of Electrical/Automation design and support background preferred
• Minimum of 2 years of comprehensive experience with Rockwell Allen Bradley software preferred; Siemens experience a plus
• Experience with Alfa Laval decanter and/or high-speed separators, a plus
• Strong proficiency in CAD software and PLC/HMI programming
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Ability to travel (up to 35%) for commissioning and support activities required; valid passport and driver’s license required
• A collaborative approach and customer-first attitude

What’s in it for you?

Alfa Laval offers a competitive salary and full benefits package, including medical/dental/vision/life, 401(k) plan, and more. At Alfa Laval, we carefully consider a wide range of compensation factors to determine your total compensation package. We rely on market indicators to determine compensation and consider your specific job family, background, skills, and experience to get it right. These considerations can cause your compensation to vary and will also be dependent on your location. The base salary for this role is typically $90,000 - $110,000.

Alfa Laval is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, or business need, without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.