Automation Engineer

Howmet; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k matching

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

Howmet in Tucson, AZ is seeking an Automation Engineer to design, implement, support, and optimize automated manufacturing systems. You will work with Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, and IT to improve equipment performance and efficiency.

The role requires 3-8+ years in manufacturing automation, PLC/SCADA expertise, and strong problem-solving skills. On-site position with a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities to lead projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 3-8+ years of experience in manufacturing automation or industrial controls.
• Experience programming and troubleshooting industrial PLCs (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar platforms).
• Experience with HMIs, SCADA systems, robotics, servo systems, sensors, vision systems, and industrial networking.
• Knowledge of electrical controls, instrumentation, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and machine safety systems.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and mechanical drawings.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and root cause analysis skills.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, troubleshoot, and maintain industrial automation systems, including PLCs, HMIs, robotics, and motion control systems.
• Support the installation, commissioning, startup, and validation of new manufacturing equipment and production lines.
• Identify and implement automation solutions to improve productivity, quality, safety, and operational efficiency.
• Diagnose equipment failures and develop long-term corrective actions to minimize downtime.
• Develop, modify, and maintain PLC, HMI, and SCADA programs.
• Partner with Maintenance to resolve electrical, controls, and automation issues.
• Lead automation projects from concept through implementation, including planning, budgeting, scheduling, and vendor coordination.
• Evaluate and implement new automation technologies and equipment upgrades.
• Develop and maintain electrical drawings, control documentation, equipment specifications, and standard operating procedures.
• Analyze production and equipment performance data to improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), cycle time, throughput, and scrap reduction.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, quality, and regulatory requirements. Support preventive and predictive maintenance programs for automated equipment.
• Train maintenance personnel and production employees on new automation systems and equipment.
• Participate in the enterprise automation network led by the Director of Automation, sharing standards feedback, repeatable solutions, and lessons learned across sites.

Skills

PLC programming

Industrial controls

HMI/SCADA

Robotics

Electrical schematics

Lean manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Mechatronics/Automation

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC

Siemens PLC

HMI/SCADA software

Robotics systems

VFDs

Job description

3724 E Columbia Street, Tucson, AZ, 85714, US

3724 E Columbia Street, Tucson, AZ, 85714, US
(On-site)

• Apply Before
  08/30/2026, 11:00 PM
  
• Job Schedule
  Full time
  
• Export-Controlled Data
  This position entails access to export-controlled items and employment offers are conditioned upon an applicant's ability to lawfully obtain access to such items
  

Job Info

• Job Identification
  118548
  
• Job Category
  Engineering
  
• Posting Date
  08/28/2026, 12:00 PM
  
• Locations
  3724 E Columbia Street, Tucson, AZ, 85714, US
  (On-site)
  
• Apply Before
  08/30/2026, 11:00 PM
  
• Job Schedule
  Full time
  
• Export-Controlled Data
  This position entails access to export-controlled items and employment offers are conditioned upon an applicant's ability to lawfully obtain access to such items
  

Responsibilities

The Automation Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, supporting, and optimizing automated manufacturing systems and production processes. This position has a dotted-line relationship to the business unit Director of Automation. This role partners with Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, and IT to improve equipment performance, increase efficiency, reduce downtime, and ensure safe, reliable, and high-quality manufacturing operations.

• Design, program, troubleshoot, and maintain industrial automation systems, including PLCs, HMIs, robotics, and motion control systems.
• Support the installation, commissioning, startup, and validation of new manufacturing equipment and production lines.
• Identify and implement automation solutions to improve productivity, quality, safety, and operational efficiency.
• Diagnose equipment failures and develop long-term corrective actions to minimize downtime
• Develop, modify, and maintain PLC, HMI, and SCADA programs.
• Partner with Maintenance to resolve electrical, controls, and automation issues.
• Lead automation projects from concept through implementation, including planning, budgeting, scheduling, and vendor coordination.
• Evaluate and implement new automation technologies and equipment upgrades.
• Develop and maintain electrical drawings, control documentation, equipment specifications, and standard operating procedures.
• Analyze production and equipment performance data to improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), cycle time, throughput, and scrap reduction.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
  Support preventive and predictive maintenance programs for automated equipment.
• Train maintenance personnel and production employees on new automation systems and equipment.
• Participate in the enterprise automation network led by the Director of Automation, sharing standards feedback, repeatable solutions, and lessons learned across sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 3-8+ years of experience in manufacturing automation or industrial controls.
• Experience programming and troubleshooting industrial PLCs (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar platforms).
• Experience with HMIs, SCADA systems, robotics, servo systems, sensors, vision systems, and industrial networking.
• Knowledge of electrical controls, instrumentation, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and machine safety systems.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and mechanical drawings.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and root cause analysis skills.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in integrated robotic and automated systems.
• Knowledge of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Industrial IoT, and Industry 4.0 technologies.
• Project management experience.
• Familiarity with quality management systems and regulated manufacturing environments.

Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Benefits/Salary

The position includes competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), excellent 401k matching program, paid holidays and vacation.

Export-Controlled Data

• This position entails access to export-controlled items and employment offers are conditioned upon an applicant's ability to lawfully obtain access to such items.
  • This export- control language can be added directly to the job posting in the Job Info box of the posting by selecting the sentence in the dropdown field titled \"Export-Controlled Data\" in section 4 of the job requisition.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Howmet is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

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