Automation Engineer

Actalent; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

PTO

Holiday

Sick Leave

401K Matching

Yearly Bonus

Incentive Stock options

Job summary

Actalent is hiring an Automation Engineer in Irvine, CA to support and enhance manufacturing automation, machine vision systems, and production line expansion in a regulated medical device environment.

The role emphasizes hands-on work with semi-automated lines, PLC-controlled fixtures, and inspection stations, using Keyence and Cognex platforms, SolidWorks design, and continuous improvement focus. Requires 3–6 years in automation and a mechanical engineering background.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering required; manufacturing or related discipline acceptable.
• 3–6 years of automation or manufacturing engineering experience.
• Hands-on experience supporting machine vision systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with PLC programming and basic logic development.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks for fixtures, nests, tooling, and inspection stations.
• Familiar with FDA-regulated medical device manufacturing environments and TMV/OQ/PQ concepts.

Responsibilities

• Support and troubleshoot machine vision inspection systems on semi-automated lines.
• Configure and optimize automated inspection stations for accuracy, throughput, and reliability.
• Validate pass/fail criteria and investigate failures to implement corrective actions.
• Program and modify basic PLC-controlled equipment to support automation.
• Design fixtures and inspection stations using SolidWorks for automated processes.
• Analyze production data and yield trends to identify improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, and production teams on line readiness and ramp activities.
• Support TMV, OQ, and PQ activities for manufacturing equipment and processes.

Skills

Machine vision systems

PLC programming

SolidWorks

Manufacturing engineering

Data analysis

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Manufacturing Engineering degree acceptable

Tools

Keyence

Cognex

Job description

Job Title: Automation Engineer

Job Description

The Automation Engineer supports and enhances manufacturing automation, machine vision systems, qualification activities, and production line expansion within a regulated, high-volume medical device manufacturing environment. This hands‑on role focuses on semi-automated manufacturing lines that use machine vision inspection systems, PLC‑controlled fixtures, automated test stations, and production monitoring systems. The engineer maintains, improves, validates, and scales manufacturing equipment while driving production yield, quality, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Support and troubleshoot machine vision inspection systems used on semi-automated manufacturing lines.
• Configure and optimize automated inspection stations to improve accuracy, throughput, and reliability.
• Validate and refine pass/fail inspection criteria to ensure consistent product quality.
• Investigate inspection failures and false rejects, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Support programming and modifications for machine vision systems, including platforms such as Keyence and Cognex.
• Support daily manufacturing line operations by addressing automation‑related issues in real time.
• Troubleshoot automation‑related production problems to minimize downtime and maintain output targets.
• Drive corrective actions and process improvements to enhance production yield, efficiency, and quality.
• Support line readiness and production ramp activities for new or expanded manufacturing lines.
• Analyze production data and yield trends to identify opportunities for improvement and to monitor the effectiveness of implemented changes.
• Program and troubleshoot basic PLC‑controlled equipment to support automated manufacturing processes.
• Support integration and troubleshooting of sensors, pneumatic systems, and related control components.
• Develop and modify simple automation logic to enhance equipment functionality and reliability.Support integration of inspection stations with manufacturing equipment and production monitoring systems.
• Design fixtures, nests, tooling, and inspection stations using SolidWorks to support automated and semi‑automated processes.
• Improve existing automation systems and manufacturing equipment to increase yield, throughput, and robustness.
• Implement mechanical and control modifications to enhance equipment performance and reduce defects.
• Support design and implementation of new equipment and automation enhancements for production lines.
• Execute and support Test Method Validation (TMV) activities to ensure measurement systems and inspection methods are reliable and repeatable.
• Support Operational Qualification (OQ) and Performance Qualification (PQ) efforts for manufacturing equipment and processes.
• Review qualification data, investigate failures or deviations, and support implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Ensure equipment performs according to design intent and meets regulatory and internal quality requirements.
Support data collection, traceability, and documentation requirements associated with validation and qualification activities.
• Contribute to continuous improvement programs focused on yield improvement, equipment qualification, and automated inspection performance.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams in engineering, quality, and production to support new product introductions and process changes.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering preferred; a degree in Manufacturing Engineering or a related engineering discipline is also considered.
• 3–6 years of experience in automation engineering, manufacturing engineering, or equipment engineering.
• Hands‑on experience supporting machine vision systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with PLC programming and troubleshooting, including basic PLC logic development.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks for designing fixtures, nests, tooling, and inspection stations.
• Experience supporting production equipment and automated inspection systems on the manufacturing floor.
• Experience working in a regulated manufacturing environment, preferably medical device manufacturing.
• Knowledge of Test Method Validation (TMV) practices and methodologies.
• Experience with Operational Qualification (OQ) and Performance Qualification (PQ) for manufacturing equipment and processes.
• Ability to troubleshoot PLC‑controlled equipment and associated control hardware.
• Familiarity with machine vision inspection systems and platforms such as Keyence and Cognex.
• Experience working with pneumatic systems, sensors, and automation components.
• Demonstrated ability to support manufacturing line validation and equipment qualification activities.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret production data, yield trends, and validation results.
• Ability to work effectively in a high‑volume, regulated production environment and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in FDA‑regulated manufacturing environments, particularly medical device manufacturing.
• Background in manufacturing line validation, including planning, execution, and documentation.
• Hands‑on experience with automated inspection equipment and integration into production lines.
• Exposure to continuous improvement programs focused on yield improvement, process optimization, and equipment reliability.
• Experience with inspection tooling, fixture design, and tooling development for automated and semi‑automated processes.
• Familiarity with production monitoring systems and data collection tools used in manufacturing environments.
• Ability to collaborate with cross‑functional teams in engineering, quality, and operations.
• Strong documentation skills to support regulatory compliance, validation records, and engineering change documentation.

Work Environment

The role operates within a high-volume medical device manufacturing environment that follows FDA and other regulatory requirements. The Automation Engineer works primarily on the manufacturing floor, supporting semi-automated production lines equipped with machine vision inspection systems, PLC‑controlled fixtures, automated test stations, and production monitoring systems. The environment is fast‑paced and production‑focused, requiring frequent interaction with equipment, tools, and automation hardware such as pneumatic systems, sensors, and inspection tooling. The position is hands‑on and involves regular use of SolidWorks for mechanical design, PLC programming tools for controls support, and platforms such as Keyence and Cognex for machine vision inspection. The engineer collaborates closely with production, quality, and engineering teams to support line readiness, production ramps, validation activities, and continuous improvement initiatives. Work hours typically align with standard manufacturing operations, with flexibility required to support critical production needs and equipment issues as they arise.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Irvine, CA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $130000.00 - $150000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• PTO
• Holiday
• Sick Leave
• 401K Matching
• Yearly Bonus
• Incentive Stock options

• retirement savings plans with matching contributions
• bonus opportunities
• additional incentives aligned with company performance

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Irvine,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 30, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.