Automation & Manufacturing Engineer: Drive OEE & Throughput

Nordic-Naturals; Vista (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Nordic Naturals, a leading manufacturer of premium Omega-3 nutritional supplements, is seeking a Manufacturing and Automation Engineer to drive innovation and efficiency across its production and packaging operations in Vista, CA. This role focuses on evaluating, designing, implementing, and optimizing automated systems for softgel, encapsulation, liquid formulations, gummies, and bottling lines.

You will partner with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Engineering teams to improve throughput,

Responsibilities

• Lead automation, controls, and systems engineering initiatives across manufacturing and packaging operations, including key processing lines and future packaging technologies.
• Lead equipment selection, procurement, installation, commissioning, optimization, and lifecycle management of manufacturing automation systems, coordinating with OEMs and integrators.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Product Development and Engineering teams to improve equipment reliability, product quality, throughput, and operator effectiveness.
• Analyze manufacturing and packaging system performance to identify bottlenecks and implement automation, controls, and process improvements that increase throughput, improve OEE, reduce downtime, and minimize waste.
• Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis efforts involving manufacturing equipment, packaging systems, PLC controls, vision systems, sensors, servo systems, industrial networks, and machine communications. Develop standardized troubleshooting guides and corrective action procedures to support rapid issue resolution and knowledge transfer.
• Support integration and communication between processing equipment, packaging equipment, OEE systems, MES platforms, SCADA systems, and enterprise reporting systems.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Work Instructions (WIs), One-Point Lessons (OPLs), troubleshooting guides, startup and shutdown procedures, and equipment operating manuals.
• Create and maintain manufacturing, packaging, setup, changeover, inspection, cleaning, and preventive maintenance checklists.
• Create and maintain automation standards, controls documentation, network architecture diagrams, equipment specifications, and system validation records.
• Support development of training materials and provide technical training for operators, mechanics, technicians, and engineering personnel.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, and OEE tracking to boost packaging line reliability and uptime.
• Develop and implement changeover reduction strategies (e.g., SMED) to improve packaging flexibility and responsiveness.

Job description

Nordic Naturals, a leading manufacturer of premium Omega-3 nutritional supplements, is seeking a Manufacturing and Automation Engineer to drive innovation and efficiency across its production and packaging operations in Vista, CA. This role focuses on evaluating, designing, implementing, and optimizing automated systems for softgel, encapsulation, liquid formulations, gummies, and bottling lines.

You will partner with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Engineering teams to improve throughput,