Automation Engineer: Machine Vision & PLC Systems

Actalent; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401K Matching

Yearly Bonus

Stock options

Job summary

Actalent in Irvine, CA is seeking an Automation Engineer to enhance manufacturing automation, machine vision, and line expansion in a regulated medical device environment. You will validate inspection criteria, troubleshoot machine vision systems, and support line readiness with cross-functional teams on a fast-paced production floor.

The role requires hands-on experience with machine vision, PLCs, SolidWorks, and TMV/OQ/PQ practices, with a focus on yield improvement and quality assurance on

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering or related field.
• Extensive experience in automation engineering or equipment engineering in manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience supporting machine vision in a manufacturing environment.
• PLC programming and troubleshooting, including basic PLC logic development.
• SolidWorks proficiency for fixtures, nests, tooling and inspection stations.
• Experience with production equipment and automated inspection systems on manufacturing floors.
• Experience in FDA-regulated manufacturing environments, especially medical devices.
• Knowledge of TMV, OQ, and PQ practices and methodologies.
• Ability to troubleshoot PLC-controlled equipment and related control hardware.
• Familiarity with Keyence and Cognex machine vision systems.
• Experience with pneumatics, sensors, and automation components.
• Strong documentation to support regulatory compliance and validation records.
• Ability to support line readiness, ramp activities, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Support and troubleshoot machine vision inspection systems on semi-automatic lines.
• Configure and optimize automated inspection stations for accuracy and throughput.
• Validate pass/fail criteria to ensure consistent quality.
• Investigate failures and implement corrective actions.
• Support programming and modifications for machine vision systems (Keyence, Cognex).
• Assist daily manufacturing operations by addressing automation issues in real time.
• Troubleshoot production problems to minimize downtime and meet targets.
• Drive actions to improve yield, efficiency, and quality.
• Support line readiness and ramp activities for new lines.
• Analyze production data and yield trends to identify improvements.
• Program and troubleshoot basic PLC-controlled equipment.
• Support integration of sensors, pneumatic systems, and control components.
• Develop automation logic to enhance equipment functionality.
• Integrate inspection stations with manufacturing equipment and monitoring systems.
• Design fixtures and tooling using SolidWorks for automated processes.
• Improve existing automation to increase yield and robustness.
• Support validation activities (TMV, OQ, PQ) for equipment and processes.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, and production teams on new product introductions.

Skills

Machine vision systems

PLC programming

SolidWorks

Automation experience

Troubleshooting PLC

Data analysis

Regulatory compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

Documentation

Sensors & pneumatic systems

Keyence/Cognex familiarity

Education

Bachelors in Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

Keyence

Cognex

Job description

Actalent in Irvine, CA is seeking an Automation Engineer to enhance manufacturing automation, machine vision, and line expansion in a regulated medical device environment. You will validate inspection criteria, troubleshoot machine vision systems, and support line readiness with cross-functional teams on a fast-paced production floor.

The role requires hands-on experience with machine vision, PLCs, SolidWorks, and TMV/OQ/PQ practices, with a focus on yield improvement and quality assurance on