Automation Engineer

DrinkPAK I, LLC; United States; On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO medical, dental, and vision insurance

Cell phone stipend

Annual discretionary bonus

401(k) match program

Pet insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

DrinkPAK I, LLC is seeking an Automation Engineer at our Santa Clarita, California headquarters. This full-time role focuses on enhancing production efficiency through automation technology.

The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor's degree in engineering and proven experience in automation. Key benefits include fully paid medical insurance, a cell phone stipend, and a 401(k) match program.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Automation Engineer or a similar role.
• Strong understanding of PLC programming languages.
• Knowledge of safety protocols and industry standards.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement automation solutions for production systems.
• Program and maintain industrial automation systems.
• Conduct testing and validation of automation systems.

Skills

PLC programming

SCADA

Troubleshooting

Communication protocols

Lean/Six Sigma practices

Bilingual (English & Spanish)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

Rockwell software

Siemens software

Job description

Position Overview

The Automation Engineer is responsible for the performance, equipment reliability, uptime percentage, design, development, and optimization of complex automation systems and processes to improve production efficiency, reduce manual intervention, and ensure high‑quality outputs.

Location

DrinkPAK headquarters, Santa Clarita, California.

Type

Full Time (Exempt) with a salary range of $130K - $150K.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement automation solutions for production, testing, and quality control systems.
• Program, configure, and maintain industrial automation systems (PLCs, SCADA, DCS, HMI).
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to identify automation needs and provide tailored solutions.
• Troubleshoot, debug, and optimize automated processes and equipment to improve system reliability.
• Perform system upgrades, installations, and regular maintenance on automation equipment.
• Develop and maintain system documentation, including user manuals and technical reports.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and industry standards in all automation systems.
• Conduct testing and validation of automation systems to ensure optimal performance.
• Continuously monitor system performance and propose improvements for efficiency and cost reduction.
• Provide technical support and training to operational teams on automated systems.
• Manage complex automation projects from initiation to completion, ensuring timely delivery within budget and scope.
• Work closely with product, operations, and engineering teams to understand requirements and translate them into scalable automation solutions.
• Stay up‑to‑date with advancements in automation technologies and recommend new tools or practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field.
• Proven experience as an Automation Engineer or in a similar role.
• Strong knowledge of PLC programming languages (e.g., Ladder Logic, Structured Text).
• Experience with industrial control systems (SCADA, DCS, HMI).
• Proficiency with software tools related to automation and control (Rockwell, Siemens).
• Familiarity with robotics, machine vision, and sensor technologies is a plus.
• Ability to analyze and troubleshoot complex automation issues.
• Knowledge of safety protocols and industry standards (IEC, ISO).
• Knowledge of communication protocols and Ethernet/IP.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Advanced troubleshooting skills with high‑speed manufacturing equipment (AC/DC motors, VFDs, PLCs, servo motors, PLC I/O modules, HMIs, analog and digital signals).
• Knowledge of liquid process systems, blending, inline instrumentation, pumps, valves, flowmeters, tanks, HTST.
• Knowledge of packaging equipment (de‑palletizer, palletizer, conveyors, filler, packer, pasteurizer).
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or another management system.
• Strong interpersonal skills and team orientation.
• Ability to extract, evaluate, and utilize data for process improvement.
• Willingness to work rotating shifts, overtime, weekends, and holidays.
• Excellent computer skills.
• Adaptability to unexpected changes.
• Safety and continuous improvement mindset.
• Bilingual (English & Spanish) is a plus.

Benefits

• PPO medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their dependents, fully paid by the company.
• Cell phone stipend.
• Annual discretionary bonus.
• 401(k) match program.
• Pet insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Other benefits as applicable.