Automation Engineer I

Novanta Inc.; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 81,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

Novanta Inc. in Irvine, CA is seeking an Automation Engineer I to design, develop, test, and improve motion systems for advanced automation and precision technology.

This hands-on role offers exposure to prototypes, manufacturing processes, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver reliable, high-quality solutions from concept to execution. You will work with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and operations teams to troubleshoot issues, document procedures, and ensure alignment with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Competence in motor technology and specifications.
• Familiarity with tuning gains and control filters, with ability to evaluate motion performance (settling time, velocity ripple).
• Understanding of electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, connector pinouts, cable color codes, and related technical documentation.
• Ability to program using structured text or languages such as C/C++ or Python.

Responsibilities

• Support the design, development, testing, and improvement of automation hardware systems, prototypes, and production solutions in partnership with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and operations teams.
• Troubleshoot equipment, prototype, and production issues; analyze technical challenges; identify practical solutions that improve performance, reliability, manufacturability, and customer outcomes.
• Create and maintain clear technical documentation, including drawings, specifications, assembly instructions, test procedures, analysis reports, and design review inputs.
• Own assigned tasks with focus, follow-through, and attention to detail while supporting team milestones and continuous improvement across daily, weekly, and monthly priorities.
• Work in alignment with Novanta's quality, occupational safety, and environmental requirements while contributing to a safe, reliable, collaborative, and responsible engineering environment.

Skills

Motor technology

Control filters

Motion performance evaluation

Electrical schematics

Programming (C/C++/Python)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering

Job description

Build a career powered by innovations that matter! At Novanta, our innovations power technology products that are transforming healthcare and advanced manufacturing-improving productivity, enhancing people's lives and redefining what's possible. We create for our global customers engineered components and sub-systems that deliver extreme precision and performance for a range of mission-critical applications—from minimally invasive surgery to robotics to 3D metal printing. Novanta is one global team with over 26 offices located in The Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Looking for a great place to work? You have found it with a culture that embraces teamwork, collaboration and empowerment. Come explore Novanta.

Summary

As an Automation Engineer I, you will help design, develop, test, and improve motion systems that support advanced automation and precision technology. In this hands-on role, you will troubleshoot prototypes, support manufacturing processes, and partner with cross-functional teams to bring reliable, high-quality solutions from concept to execution. This is an opportunity for an early-career engineer to grow technical skills, contribute to meaningful projects, and learn alongside experienced engineering and manufacturing teams.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support the design, development, testing, and improvement of automation hardware systems, prototypes, and production solutions in partnership with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and operations teams.
• Troubleshoot equipment, prototype, and production issues; analyze technical challenges; and help identify practical solutions that improve performance, reliability, manufacturability, and customer outcomes.
• Create and maintain clear technical documentation, including drawings, specifications, assembly instructions, test procedures, analysis reports, and design review inputs.
• Own assigned tasks with focus, follow-through, and attention to detail while supporting team milestones and continuous improvement across daily, weekly, and monthly priorities.
• Work in alignment with Novanta's quality, occupational safety, and environmental requirements while contributing to a safe, reliable, collaborative, and responsible engineering environment.

Required Experience, Education, Skills, Training and Competencies

• Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Competence in motor technology and specifications.
• Familiarity with tuning gains and control filters, with the ability to evaluate motion performance, including settling time and velocity ripple.
• Understanding of electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, connector pinouts, cable color codes, and related technical documentation.
• Ability to program using structured text or programming languages such as C/C++ or Python.

Physical Requirements

None.

Travel Requirements

None.

Compensation and Benefits

The base pay for this position is $80,850 to $120,800 per year depending on the geographic market. Novanta supports all aspects of your life's needs. This position provides a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits to make your quality of life better. Novanta is proud to be an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action workplace. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, military and veteran status, disability, genetics, or any other category protected by federal law or Novanta policy. Please call [phone] if you need a disability accommodation for any part of the employment process.

About Novanta

Solving complex challenges, delivering innovations that matter! Novanta is a leading global supplier of core technology solutions that give medical, life science, and advanced industrial original equipment manufacturers a competitive advantage. We combine deep proprietary expertise and competencies in precision medicine, precision manufacturing, robotics and automation, and advanced surgery with a proven ability to solve complex technical challenges. This enables Novanta to engineer proprietary technology solutions that deliver extreme precision and performance, tailored to our customers' demanding applications. The driving force behind our growth is the team of innovative professionals who share a commitment to innovation, the Novanta Growth System, and our customers' success. Novanta's common shares are quoted on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol "NOVT".