Automation Engineer

Whirlpool Corporation; Racine (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Whirlpool employee discount

Educational reimbursement

Onsite coffee/kitchen

Job summary

Whirlpool Corporation in Racine, WI is seeking an Automation Engineer to lead plant automation and control systems optimization. You will develop engineering standards, govern version control, and drive continuous improvement to enhance equipment efficiency and reduce waste.

This role acts as the technical backbone across automation layers and collaborates with system integrators to ensure adherence to plant standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or STEM field.
• 3+ years in an industrial manufacturing environment focusing on PLC logic (Rockwell Automation Studio 5000), HMI (FactoryTalk View), robotics, SQL databases, and SCADA architectures.
• 2+ years of experience with industrial communication protocols (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus TCP), data mapping frameworks, and enterprise data hierarchy.
• 1+ years of people leadership experience, mentoring technical staff and coordinating resources for shop floor support.

Responsibilities

• Standards Development & Governance: Create, update, and enforce plant-wide automation and control standards across all existing production lines and new capital projects.
• Continuous Improvement & Data Analysis: Lead root-cause problem-solving and continuous improvement initiatives. Extract and analyze machine performance data from plant historians to identify bottlenecks and reduce downtime.
• Version Control Management: Oversee master code repositories and software configuration management platforms for all PLCs, HMIs, drives, and robotics across the facility.
• Asset Lifecycle & Obsolescence: Track technology lifecycles, maintain the automation risk register, and assist in developing the 3-to-5-year equipment replacement roadmap.
• Performance Reporting: Develop SQL queries, reports, and real-time OEE dashboards to translate operational data into actionable engineering improvements.
• Vendor & Integration Oversight: Partner with internal teams and external system integrators to establish technical benchmarks, review project specifications, and ensure alignment with plant standards.
• System Documentation & Network Support: Maintain clear technical documentation, code libraries, circuit diagrams, and system architecture drawings for all automated production equipment, including basic network diagnostics.

Skills

PLC logic

Rockwell Studio 5000

HMI FactoryTalk View

Robotics

SQL databases

SCADA

Education

Bachelors in EE/Mechatronics/ STEM

Tools

Rockwell Automation software

FactoryTalk View

Job description

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant

pursuit of improving life at home. As the only major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen

and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving

needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid,

JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2025, the company reported

approximately $16 billion in annual net sales - close to 90% of which were in the Americas -

41,000 employees, and 35 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional

information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.

This role in summary

Whirlpool is currently seeking qualified candidates for an Automation Engineer. This is an onsite role at our Racine, WI location.

Serves as the lead technical analyst for optimizing plant automation and control systems. This position focuses on developing engineering standards, managing version control governance, and leading continuous improvement projects to improve overall equipment efficiency and eliminate process waste. Additionally, this role maintains core cross-functional technical capabilities to serve as an immediate technical backup across the facility's automation layers.

Your responsibilities will include

• Standards Development & Governance: Create, update, and enforce plant-wide automation and control standards across all existing production lines and new capital projects.
• Continuous Improvement & Data Analysis: Lead root-cause problem-solving and continuous improvement initiatives. Extract and analyze machine performance data from plant historians to identify bottlenecks and reduce downtime.
• Version Control Management: Oversee master code repositories and software configuration management platforms for all PLCs, HMIs, drives, and robotics across the facility.
• Asset Lifecycle & Obsolescence: Track technology lifecycles, maintain the automation risk register, and assist in developing the 3-to-5-year equipment replacement roadmap.
• Performance Reporting: Develop SQL queries, reports, and real-time OEE dashboards to translate operational data into actionable engineering improvements.
• Vendor & Integration Oversight: Partner with internal teams and external system integrators to establish technical benchmarks, review project specifications, and ensure alignment with plant standards.
• System Documentation & Network Support: Maintain clear technical documentation, code libraries, circuit diagrams, and system architecture drawings for all automated production equipment, including basic network diagnostics.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or STEM field
• 3+ years of experience in an industrial manufacturing environment, specifically focusing on PLC logic (Rockwell Automation Studio 5000), HMI (FactoryTalk View), robotics, SQL databases, and SCADA architectures
• 2+ years of experience with industrial communication protocols (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus TCP), data mapping frameworks, and enterprise data hierarchy
• 1+ years of people leadership experience, including mentoring technical staff and coordinating resources for shop floor support

Preferred skills and experiences

• Lean Six Sigma Certification: Active Green Belt or Black Belt certification with a demonstrated history of utilizing DMAIC methodologies for data-driven process optimization
• Software & Version Control: Advanced proficiency in Rockwell Automation software (Studio 5000, FactoryTalk View) and experience managing master code libraries via version control platforms
• Data Pipeline Engineering: Expert-level SQL query development and experience configuring time-series historians and real-time OEE dashboards for UNS data mapping
• Robotics & Motion Control: Practical experience in programming Fanuc robotics and configuring multi-axis servo-driven motion control architectures
• Project Management: PMP certification or equivalent experience leading complex automation projects throughout the full asset lifecycle, from design to site commissioning

What we offer

Generous benefits package, Whirlpool employee discount, fitness & educational reimbursement programs, kitchenettes, and more! Saint Joseph/Benton Harbor locations: Beautiful, recently renovated office space, free coffee, biking/walking trails, and access to The Eddy - Early Childhood Center (depending upon availability - additional costs required).

Additional information

Whirlpool’s Ways of Working

Our goal is to provide an environment that helps you bring your best to Whirlpool every day. We offer flexibility and industry-leading time-off benefits that will help you balance what’s important at work and at home, including:

• Always On Flexibility - You will have the autonomy to manage personal, family, and outside-of-work commitments as needed.
• Two-Week Work from Anywhere - Minimum of one-week increments for a total of two weeks per year.
• Sabbatical - Four weeks paid leave after every five years of service.

Connect with us and learn more about Whirlpool Corporation

See what it's like to work at Whirlpool by visiting Whirlpool Careers. Additional information about the company can be found on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

Whirlpool Corporation is committed to equal employment opportunity and prohibits any discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable law.

Whirlpool Corporation is committed to being the best global kitchen and laundry company

Improving life at home has been at the heart of our business for 112 years — it is why we exist and why we are passionate about what we do. That’s why consumers trust our brands. We never take that for granted. We work every day to earn that trust by continually evolving and innovating for our consumers, helping our environment and communities thrive, and nurturing our talent to bring their talent home to Whirlpool.