Automation Engineer

UnitedHealth Group; Overland Park (KS); On-site; Confidential; Full time

Job summary

Optum is seeking a Lead Industrial Automation Engineer to design, implement, test, and support automation systems across a network of production facilities. You will own PAC/PLC programming, SCADA, robotics, and vision systems, while prioritizing system stability and rapid troubleshooting in a live environment.

You will collaborate with IT, OT, Operations, and Maintenance to identify opportunities, optimize performance, and ensure maximum uptime.

Qualifications

• Experience leading industrial automation projects end-to-end.
• Ability to design, develop, test, and support automation solutions.
• Strong troubleshooting and data analytics skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead research, design, development and ongoing support of automation systems.
• Provide day-to-day support for production automation ensuring high availability.
• Troubleshoot issues; perform root-cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Escalate complex issues to minimize downtime and restore production quickly.
• Collaborate with IT/OT/Operations to identify automation opportunities.
• Commission, program, and support PACs/PLCs, robotics, SCADA, and other components.
• Monitor performance and analyze data to improve reliability and efficiency.
• Develop documentation such as SOPs and maintenance guides.

Skills

Industrial automation

PACs/PLCs

SCADA

Robotics

Troubleshooting

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

PACs/PLCs

SCADA

Vision systems

HMI

Job description

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

This role serves as a lead technical resource for industrial automation across a network of pharmacy fulfillment centers, supporting initiatives ranging from day to day operational improvements to large‑scale capital projects. In addition to project execution, this position plays a critical role in providing ongoing support and optimization of existing automation systems, including robotics, conveyor systems, and integrated production equipment, ensuring maximum uptime, reliability, and performance.

You will be responsible for designing, developing, implementing, testing, and supporting both cutting‑edge and legacy automation solutions within our industrial processes. A solid emphasis is placed on system stability, rapid troubleshooting, and continuous improvement in a live production environment.

As the Engineer in this capacity, you will own and support all aspects of industrial automation systems, including Programmable Automation Controllers (PACs/PLCs), electrical systems, vision systems, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, fieldbus networks, robotics, pneumatics, Integrated PCs (IPCs), Human Machine Interfaces (HMI), conveyor systems, and sensing technologies.

In addition to development responsibilities, you will act as a key support resource‑diagnosing issues, providing root cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions for automation systems in production. You will collaborate cross‑functionally with operations, maintenance, and engineering teams to ensure systems are properly maintained, supported, and continuously improved.

Success in this role requires expertise across the full automation lifecycle, from new system design and commissioning to hands‑on troubleshooting, support, and optimization of existing systems in a fast‑paced production environment.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead the research, design, development, and ongoing support of industrial automation systems, from conceptualization through production and lifecycle sustainment
• Provide day to day support for production automation systems, including robotics, conveyor systems, and integrated equipment, ensuring high availability, reliability, and performance
• Troubleshoot and resolve hands‑on technical issues related to new and existing automated equipment; drive both short‑term fixes and long‑term corrective actions, including root cause analysis
• Act as a primary escalation point for complex automation issues, working closely with Maintenance and Operations to minimize downtime and restore production quickly
• Collaborate and communicate with cross‑functional teams (IT, OT, Operations, Maintenance) to identify automation opportunities, support needs, system requirements, and develop effective solutions
• Commission, program, and support Programmable Automation Controllers (PACs/PLCs), robotic systems, SCADA systems, vision systems, and other automation components to meet project and operational needs
• Monitor system performance, analyze data, and proactively identify improvement opportunities to enhance equipment reliability, throughput, and efficiency
• Conduct testing, data gathering, and perform analytics to troubleshoot intermittent issues and optimize system performance in a live production environment
• Manage installation, startup, and ongoing support of equipment, including generation and execution of test plans, factory acceptance testing (FAT), and site acceptance testing (SAT)
• Plan and execute modifications to existing production equipment in a way that minimizes operational impact, including support during and after implementation
• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), troubleshooting guides, and maintenance/repair documentation to support sustainment activities
• Provide technical expertise, coaching, and support to internal teams to strengthen troubleshooting capabilities and foster a culture of continuous improvement
• Participate in on‑call or off‑hours support as needed to ensure continuous operation of critical automation systems
• Other duties may be assigned based on business needs

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