Automation Engineer

Engtal; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Engtal, partnering with a well-established Columbus manufacturer, seeks an Automation Engineer to own automation and capital equipment projects across a large manufacturing network. You will guide initiatives from business case through commissioning and ongoing plant support, interfacing with vendors and internal teams.

This role suits engineers with hands-on automation, robotics, or advanced manufacturing experience who enjoy both technical and project-management responsibilities and driving

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience within manufacturing, automation, or a related engineering environment.
• Experience developing and executing capital equipment or automation projects.
• Background working with automated manufacturing equipment and systems.
• Robotics experience; FANUC is preferred.
• Working knowledge of PLC/HMI systems; Allen-Bradley is preferred.
• Experience managing equipment vendors, suppliers, OEMs, and/or systems integrators.
• Understanding of machine safety, pneumatics, and automated equipment.
• Basic mechanical design knowledge.
• Strong project management and cross-functional communication skills.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline/equivalent experience

Responsibilities

• Lead automation and capital equipment projects from concept through implementation
• Develop project scopes, business cases, budgets, schedules, and performance targets
• Manage multiple automation projects and capital initiatives simultaneously
• Work with equipment suppliers, OEMs, integrators, and other external vendors
• Support the implementation and integration of new automated equipment across manufacturing facilities
• Partner with plant engineering, maintenance, operations, IT, and other internal teams
• Support robotic automation and PLC/HMI-based manufacturing systems
• Coordinate commissioning, plant integration, training, and post-implementation support
• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing processes through automation and new technologies
• Manage project resources and ensure projects meet scope, schedule, and financial expectations

Skills

Automation

Robotics

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC/HMI

FANUC robotics

Job description

Engtal is partnering with a well-established manufacturer in the Columbus area that is looking to add an Automation Engineer to its corporate engineering team.

This role will take ownership of automation and capital equipment projects across a large manufacturing network, working from initial business case and project scope through vendor coordination, implementation, commissioning, and ongoing plant support.

It’s a strong fit for an engineer who has experience leading automation, robotics, or advanced manufacturing projects and enjoys being involved in both the technical and project-management sides of bringing new equipment and technologies into production.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead automation and capital equipment projects from concept through implementation
• Develop project scopes, business cases, budgets, schedules, and performance targets
• Manage multiple automation projects and capital initiatives simultaneously
• Work with equipment suppliers, OEMs, integrators, and other external vendors
• Support the implementation and integration of new automated equipment across manufacturing facilities
• Partner with plant engineering, maintenance, operations, IT, and other internal teams
• Support robotic automation and PLC/HMI-based manufacturing systems
• Coordinate commissioning, plant integration, training, and post-implementation support
• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing processes through automation and new technologies
• Manage project resources and ensure projects meet scope, schedule, and financial expectations

What We're Looking For

• 6+ years of experience within manufacturing, automation, or a related engineering environment
• Experience developing and executing capital equipment or automation projects
• Background working with automated manufacturing equipment and systems
• Robotics experience; FANUC is preferred
• Working knowledge of PLC/HMI systems; Allen-Bradley is preferred
• Experience managing equipment vendors, suppliers, OEMs, and/or systems integrators
• Understanding of machine safety, pneumatics, and automated equipment
• Basic mechanical design knowledge
• Strong project management and cross-functional communication skills
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma is a plus
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline/equivalent experience

This position is based onsite in the Columbus/Hilliard area and will require approximately 30% travel, primarily domestic with occasional international travel possible.