Automation Engineer

Saint-Gobain Group; Town of Amherst (NY); On-site; USD 102,000 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with Company Match

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave

Job summary

Saint-Gobain is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to support Industry 4.0 initiatives across its Specialty Grains and Powders manufacturing operations. Based at the Amherst, NY facility, this hands-on role involves design, implementation, and startup of MES, QA systems, robotics, and AI/ML driven improvements.

You will collaborate with plant teams, process experts, and partners to deliver scalable automation projects, manage requirements, and ensure compliance with IT controls and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial, Control Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 5–10 years of experience in process optimization, automation, manufacturing engineering, or a related technical field.
• Strong data analysis and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Strong organizational and project‑management skills.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across technical, operational, and business teams.
• No Sponsorship will be offered for this role

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, implement, test, and support Industry 4.0 projects, including MES and digital Quality Management Systems.
• Lead automation projects through requirements definition, design and build, installation, startup, and ongoing support.
• Develop automation solutions involving PLCs, robotics, collaborative robots, automated production lines, controls, and instrumentation.
• Perform requirements gathering, technical analysis, and gap assessments to translate business needs into effective technical solutions.
• Manage technical deliverables and communicate project scope, schedules, risks, issues, and progress.
• Develop modeling, AI, and ML solutions to reduce losses and improve process/product stability.
• Troubleshoot installed and existing automation systems, controls, and processes.
• Train plant employees and local system champions on new equipment and processes.
• Support integration between manufacturing systems, enterprise systems, production operations, supply chain, and quality processes.
• Ensure projects comply with company standards, plant requirements, IT controls, and regulations.
• Collaborate with Industry 4.0 and Operational Excellence teams to share knowledge.
• Balance long-term project responsibilities with unplanned priorities

Skills

Data analysis

Project management

Interpersonal communication

Independent working

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial, Control Engineering

Tools

Ignition

Python

Job description

Saint-Gobain is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to support the implementation and ongoing advancement of automation, systems integration, and data acquisition solutions across our Specialty Grains and Powders manufacturing operations. This role will be based out of our Amherst, NY manufacturing facility with domestic travel up to 50%.

In this role, you will design and implement Industry 4.0 solutions that improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and overall manufacturing performance. You will work with plant teams, process experts, and technical partners to deliver projects involving Manufacturing Execution Systems, quality management systems, robotics, controls, instrumentation, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.

This is a hands‑on role for an engineer who enjoys solving complex manufacturing challenges, working directly with plant teams, and taking projects from initial concept through installation and startup. The position reports to the Digital Transformation Manager and supports multiple manufacturing locations.

What You Will Do

• Plan, design, implement, test, and support Industry 4.0 projects, including Manufacturing Execution Systems and digital Quality Management Systems.
• Lead automation projects through requirements definition, design and build, installation, startup, and ongoing support.
• Develop and implement automation solutions involving PLCs, robotics, collaborative robots, automated production lines, controls, and instrumentation.
• Perform requirements gathering, technical analysis, and gap assessments to translate business needs into effective technical solutions.
• Manage technical deliverables and communicate project scope, schedules, risks, issues, and progress.
• Develop modeling, artificial intelligence, and machine‑learning solutions focused on reducing operational losses and improving process and product stability.
• Troubleshoot newly installed and existing automation systems, controls, and manufacturing processes.
• Work directly with operators and manufacturing teams to identify improvement opportunities and implement practical solutions.
• Coordinate internal and external resources, including automation integrators, to complete projects.
• Create and maintain technical, process, training, and compliance documentation.
• Train plant employees and local system champions on new equipment, systems, processes, and procedures.
• Support integration between manufacturing systems, enterprise systems, production operations, supply chain, and quality processes.
• Ensure projects comply with applicable company standards, plant requirements, IT controls, and governmental regulations.
• Collaborate with the broader Industry 4.0 and Operational Excellence teams to develop and share technical knowledge across the organization.
• Balance long‑term project responsibilities with unplanned operational and troubleshooting priorities.

Is this job for you ?

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial, Control Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Five to ten years of experience in process optimization, automation, manufacturing engineering, or a related technical field.
• Strong data analysis and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Strong organizational and project‑management skills.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across technical, operational, and business teams.
• Self‑motivated approach with the ability to gather and coordinate the resources needed to complete projects.
• No Sponsorship will be offered for this role

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience executing Manufacturing Execution System projects, including requirements analysis, solution design, software development and implementation.
• Experience with Ignition or a comparable industrial application platform.
• Experience with Python or other programming languages.
• Experience implementing process‑automation solutions in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience integrating manufacturing systems with ERP platforms.
• Experience with robotics, collaborative robots, PLCs, automated equipment, industrial controls, or production‑line instrumentation.
• Exposure to artificial intelligence, machine learning, or manufacturing data‑modeling applications.

A little more about us

Why work for us?

Saint‑Gobain is a global company with a 360‑year legacy, combining the stability of a Global 500 organization with the agility and entrepreneurial spirit of small, innovative start‑ups. It is one of only two companies worldwide consistently recognized as both a Top Global Employer and a Top 100 Global Innovator, supported by nearly 200,000 diverse employees collaborating across the globe.

Saint‑Gobain Ceramics Division specializes in ceramic‑based solutions for industrial clients. Our product range spans from advanced ceramic grains and powders, to specialty refractories and ceramic systems. We offer “Material Solutions That Make a Difference”, in the sense that our ceramic products and services are mission‑critical to our customers’ own applications. At the heart of industry, we pride ourselves in serving segment‑leading customers across the world, through long‑term, trust‑based relationships.

At Saint‑Gobain, our employees have pride in belonging to an organization whose culture is made up of these core values: Trust, Empowerment, & Collaboration. Our company encourages diversity and inclusion in all its forms while our products make the world a more beautiful, safer, and sustainable home.

Legal Statement

Saint‑Gobain provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Saint‑Gobain is an equal opportunity employer of individuals with disabilities and supports the hiring of veterans.

Applicants for roles based in Washington state or remote roles that would be worked from Washington state are encouraged to direct any concerns regarding the state’s Pay Transparency laws to the SGNA HR Compliance team at [emailprotected] .

Benefits in joining us

Certain locations require pay information be provided in job postings. Saint‑Gobain aims to deliver a comprehensive Total Rewards package to support our employees’ wellbeing and help improve daily life for themselves and their families. We believe in the importance of pay transparency in what we offer potential candidates. Provided is the national pay range for this position, which is $102,000 to $158,000 per year. However, the base pay offered may vary depending on geographic region, internal equity, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.

In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for an annual bonus. The targeted bonus amount is 13% of base salary based on company and individual performance measures. The Total Target Cash range (base pay and annual bonus) for this position is $115,200 to $178,500. Bonus payments are part of variable compensation and by nature can vary based on company and individual performance and is not a guarantee.

Employees have the flexibility to choose the benefits that best needs their individual needs.

Health and Wellbeing – Supporting your wellbeing, to thrive in life and work.

• Medical, Prescription Drug, Vision and Dental Insurance
• Healthcare Saving Account and Flexible Spending Account options
• LiveWell Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid Time Off and Paid Parental Leave

Retirement and Protection - Helping to make the future life you want a reality.

• 401(k) with Company Match, Retirement Accumulation Plan (RAP) Cash
  Balance Pension Plan
• Company-provided Life Insurance, AD&D, Short-Term Disability
• Voluntary employee and dependent life insurance, Long-Term Disability,
  Critical Illness and Accident Insurance

Additional Benefits – Helping shape the experience and impact you want

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