Automation Engineer

Trimark Corporation; New Hampton (IA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Trimark Corporation is seeking a Process Engineer/Automation Specialist to lead assembly process optimization and tooling design in New Hampton, IA. You will develop and implement automation improvements, manage capital projects, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance across manufacturing operations.

The role requires strong PLC and CAD drafting skills, experience with Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, and the ability to coordinate with vendors to deliver cost-effective manufacturing

Qualifications

• Experience designing and fabricating tooling and fixtures.
• Knowledge of OSHA standards and safety practices.
• Ability to interact with vendors and suppliers for capital equipment.
• Experience with capital expenditure justification and cost estimates.

Responsibilities

• Be the technical expert for assembly processes including automation and PLC integration.
• Design and supervise installation of production tools, fixtures, jigs, and workstations to improve safety and efficiency.
• Manage projects within budgets and approve invoices for equipment and installation.
• Monitor compliance with EPA/OSHA and related standards.
• Provide input on costs and establish manufacturing standards for existing processes.
• Perform ROI calculations for production projects to balance cost and quality.
• Lead technical investigations and root-cause analyses to resolve manufacturing issues.
• Maintain drawings, BOMs, routings, databases, machine programs, and APQP documentation.

Skills

PLC programming

Automation engineering

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Project management

Electrical/pneumatic controls

CAD

Communication skills

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

500 Bailey Ave, New Hampton, IA 50659, USA

Job Description

Posted July 14, 2026

Accountability Objective

This position is accountable for new process development for the production of existing products; design and fabrication of test fixtures; designs, develops and/or purchases equipment to produce a quality and cost-effective product. This position is accountable for design, redesign, layout, and engineering of tooling, equipment, and machinery; to monitor the completion schedules of projects of product application or design; and for accurate cost estimates of product quotation requests. This position is accountable for troubleshooting of all machinery to produce a quality product in a cost-effective manner.

Dimensions

Nature and Scope

The position reports to the Automation Manager, as does the Process Engineer (Assembly), and Assembly Technician.

The incumbent must be the technical expert for assembly in areas such as material strength, manufacturing processes, OSHA standards, electrical/pneumatic controls, fluid power, tool/fixture design and construction as well as computer aided drafting. The incumbent must be an established effective problem solver with creativity in the design and manufacturing and industrial engineering field.

The position is responsible for obtaining quote requests for capital expenditures. During the justification process to purchase a piece of equipment, the incumbent studies the existing operations and then determines how to accommodate the new equipment yet maintaining a smooth flow of materials. The incumbent must determine how machines could be moved at the lowest cost and least interruption of production. In some areas, production equipment cannot be moved without his/her authorization. The incumbent also determines what auxiliary equipment should be purchased (lighting, ventilation, storage, etc.).

The incumbent maintains a close relationship with various vendors and suppliers who sell or install manufacturing equipment. When a project is approved, the incumbent will act as project manager and ensure all activities are completed per the identified schedules, being mindful of the budget and ensuring implementation is per the project plan. Ensuring that complete drawings, specifications, layouts and documentation for operations/maintenance are available upon completion and turnover to the production area.

The incumbent is responsible for writing and updating processes to ensure proper methods of manufacturing. The incumbent conducts time studies and evaluates existing processes to ensure that standards are maintained.

The incumbent assists product design with new/existing manufacturing processes and methods. The position provides the estimator with information for costing of new and existing products. The position has the responsibility for justifying new tooling and new technology in the manufacturing areas. The incumbent must also maintain all new and existing prints of tooling. The incumbent is responsible for keeping up to date on new manufacturing processes and methods and work to improve efficiency in the manufacturing areas.

The position is also responsible for training assistance on operation and preventative maintenance of installed equipment. This position shall be comfortable programming numerous different machines with several different programming languages.

Skills in human relations are very important since the incumbent must work closely with many people. A requirement of this position is the ability to interact with individuals throughout the company, as well as individuals external to the company. Therefore, the incumbent must possess excellent communication skills, including both written and oral. The incumbent must conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times to promote good working relationships among supervisors, peers, and if applicable, direct reports and indirect reports.

To be successful in this position, the incumbent must be computer proficient and must fully understand software applications necessary for the successful completion of their job functions.

Principal Accountabilities

• Be the technical expert for assembly processes including, but not limited to automatic assembly technology, PLC integration/programming, lean principles for reduction of waste, vision detection/programming and value stream mapping.
• Designs and supervises the installation and building of production tools, fixtures, jigs, and workstations, to improve safety, efficiency, reliability, profit and ensures design and material specifications are met.
• Manages projects and ensures they are kept within established budgets and approves invoices for equipment and installation.
• Assists in the monitoring of government requirements (EPA, OSHA, etc.) to ensure that systems and stations are in compliance with established standards.
• Provide input on costs for cost-reduced products and sets manufacturing standards for existing processes and methods to establish production costs.
• Make calculations to determine the feasibility of production projects to assure return-on-investment by reducing labor and/or materials yet maintaining the ability to produce a quality product.
• Designs and supervises the installation of equipment and systems to improve efficiency and profitability.
• The incumbent will be responsible to monitor and sustain yield and throughput in regards to order demand and quality specifications.
• Ensures that the Assembly Coach and Manufacturing Manager are kept fully informed of product design matters that will have impact on their areas of concern. This will include leading technical investigations and root cause analysis to resolve manufacturing issues.
• Maintains manufacturing related documentation/information. This includes but not limited to blueprints, BOMs, Routings, databases, machine programs, APQP documentation, etc.
• Maintains high degree of expertise on current technology in assigned areas. Works to reduce labor intensive operations on the shop floor by implementing portions of automation in the manufacturing processes.
• Follow all company policy and procedures to ensure ISO 9001 Certification and QS 9000 Compliance.
• Utilize Lean Manufacturing, and Six Sigma methodologies/practices to improve efficiency and profitability throughout the plant.
• This position is responsible for programming numerous different programmable controllers/machines used in the manufacturing processes. This includes but is not limited to PLCs, robots, CNC machine, inspection equipment, etc.
• This position supports the continual improvement and compliance of QMS and EMS.
• Responsible to perform his or her job functions in a manner that supports TriMark's mission, vision and values in order for the company to attain its strategic and growth goals.

Core Competencies

• Manage projects and ensures goals are met that address scope, budget and schedule.
• Write procedures and trains plant personnel who will operate newly installed or modified equipment according to approved procedures.
• Ensures department production processes are meeting goals for safety, efficiency, reliability and capability.
• Develops and uses systems to organize and keep track of work progress.
• Works cooperatively with others to produce innovative solutions.

Working Conditions

The office area is air-conditioned and working conditions are excellent. There is some outside work, which will vary with the weather and season. There will be work in areas which may expose the incumbent to chemicals or lubricants which are irritants. The noise level is 50-80DB. Normal or corrected vision with no color deficiency, normal depth perception and peripheral vision of 180 degrees is required. Safety glasses are required whenever office personnel are in the plant production area. Hearing protection is not required but is encouraged for use in areas designated as high noise areas for more than brief visits by office personnel.