Automation Engineer

cw; Salinas (CA); On-site; USD 114,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Benefits starting day one

Training & advancement opportunities

Modern facility

Safety-first culture

Job summary

Cushman & Wakefield is seeking an Automation Engineer to support the site maintenance team, ensuring operational performance of material handling control systems. The role involves troubleshooting conveyors, sortation systems, scanners, cameras, labeling systems, HMIs, and control cabinets in a climate-controlled facility.

You will lead or assist technicians, drive continuous improvements, and collaborate with operations and engineering to minimize downtime and maximize equipment reliability.

Qualifications

• 3+ years cumulative work experience in programming/commissioning HMIs, PLCs, and VFDs.
• SCADA systems and KPIs experience.
• Interpreting and modifying mechanical and electrical drawings.
• Experience with conveyors and sortation systems.
• Knowledge of equipment control components (relays, motor starters, VFDs, HMIs).

Responsibilities

• Promote a safe working environment by following safety procedures.
• Provide guidance on maintaining material handling control systems and electrical distribution systems.
• Support troubleshooting and modify software for material handling control systems (PLC/PC controllers).
• Act as first level escalation support for automation issues and escalate downtime when needed.
• Apply subject matter expertise to maximize building utilization of systems.
• Monitor MHE metrics and collaborate with mechatronics technicians to resolve electrical problems.
• Coordinate with operations leadership, vendors, and parts suppliers for new installations.
• Communicate timelines and impacts effectively with leadership and maintenance teams.

Skills

PLC/SCADA experience

Conveyors & sortation

Electrical drawings

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma

Associate/Bachelor preferred

Tools

Rockwell Concept/ControlLogix

Ethernet/Fieldbus networks

Job description

Job Title

Automation Engineer

Job Description Summary

Job Description

Our Purpose:

At C&W Services, we live by the belief that “Better Never Settles.” We're dedicated to creating a positive impact globally and we're looking for talented individuals to join our team.

C&W Services provides compelling benefits, including:

• Weekly pay
• Comprehensive benefits starting on your first day
• Training, development, and advancement opportunities
• A clean and cutting-edge facility
• A safety-first culture

About the Role:

As an Automation Engineer (AE), you will support the site maintenance team to ensure operational performance and efficiency of Material Handling Equipment (MHE) control systems. You will partner with the maintenance team to troubleshoot and maintain equipment such as conveyors, sortation systems, scanners, cameras, print-and-apply labeling systems, scales, HMI systems, control cabinets, and more. The AE provides support to the operations and maintenance teams by implementing solutions for complex problems and tracking related projects. You may lead and/or assist other technicians with their development through continuity of knowledge, all while working in a clean, climate-controlled, modern facility.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Promoting a safe working environment by following all safety procedures
• Providing guidance on maintaining material handling control systems, industrial motor control systems, servo and frequency drives, and electrical distribution systems
• Using your technical expertise to provide support with troubleshooting and modifying software projects for material handling control systems, including PLC/PC controllers, Allen Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix PLC platform utilizing Rockwell’s software package, industrial networks such as Ethernet, ControlNet, DeviceNet, Profibus, AS-I, motor control systems, servo drives, frequency drives, and electrical distribution systems.
• Acting as the first level of escalation support for equipment automation issues and appropriately escalating downtime situations to vendors and/or network support teams to restore equipment operation.
• Applying subject matter expertise in material handling and electronic control systems to maximize building utilization of systems
• Monitoring MHE metrics and partnering with mechatronics technicians to resolve equipment electrical problems that create performance deficiencies, and performing control systems assessments to maintain and improve equipment reliability
• Partnering with facility Operations leadership, equipment vendors, and parts suppliers to plan and coordinate new technology installations, acting as the technical consultant for capital projects inside the building
• Communicating technical issues and project timelines with building leadership, operations, and the maintenance team, explaining production impacts and working closely with operations and engineering to ensure a thorough understanding of impact to systems

Basic Qualifications:

• 3+ years of cumulative work experience in the following areas, or a relevant 2-year degree plus 1 year of work experience in the following areas:
  • Programming/commissioning of HMIs, PLCs, and VFDs
  • SCADA systems and KPIs
  • Interpreting and modifying mechanical and electrical drawings
  • Supporting a range of different conveyors and sortation systems
  • Equipment control components such as relays, motor starters, VFDs, HMIs, etc.
• High school or equivalent diploma
• Positive attitude and ability to effectively problem-solve

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree with a focus in Electronic Technology (or similar)
• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM-related field
• 4+ years of experience in the electrical field, or in control systems development, troubleshooting, and programming
• 4+ years of experience supporting advanced automation controls systems maintenance and development
• 3+ years of experience supporting a wide range of conveyors and sortation systems
• Leadership and project management experience

Physical Demands:

• Ability to reach overhead, kneel, squat, climb steps/ladders, use an aerial lift, and frequently lift a maximum of 50 lbs. of equipment
• Ability to perform tasks while wearing required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which may include but is not limited to hard hat, face mask, face shield, and composite-toe shoes
• Regularly required to crouch or bend and reach to install/move equipment
• Movement between departments, floors, and properties to facilitate work, averaging 6 to 12 miles per day
• Work in a warehouse environment with fluctuating temperatures
• Regularly required to type on a computer for 1-2 hours per day

Why C&W Services?

We\'re a global company with over 400 offices in 60 countries. We\'re proud of our diverse family of employees and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We\'re recognized by the Human Rights Foundation as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQI+ individuals and are dedicated to continuing to build a culture of inclusion and respect.

What’s Next?

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In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

The compensation that will be offered to the successful candidate will depend on factors such as whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the geographic area in which the work will be performed, market pay rates in that area, and the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

The company will not pay less than minimum wage for this role.

The compensation for the position is: $ 113,525.75 - $133,559.71

Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at 1-888-365-5406 or email [e-mail]. Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.

INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”