Automation Process Engineer

Manpower Engineering; Brookshire (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Our client, an advanced manufacturing organization, seeks an Automation Process Engineer to join the Manufacturing Engineering team in Brookshire, TX. This contract-to-direct-hire role emphasizes sustaining and improving high-volume production lines with a lean mindset and strong problem-solving skills.

The position requires 5+ years in automated manufacturing, PLC experience, and proficiency with DMAIC/8D methods. Expect significant travel to the Bay Area, CA, during early deployment.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Robotics, or equivalent experience.
• Experience programming and integrating PLC platforms with ladder logic and structured text.
• Experience with OEE improvement in high-volume manufacturing.
• 5+ years in automated manufacturing; robotics maintenance is preferred.
• Familiarity with safety control devices and safety logic preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own process sustaining and continuous improvement on the production line.
• Apply Lean principles to optimize line layouts, material flow, waste reduction, and ergonomics.
• Lead root cause analysis using DMAIC, Ishikawa, 5 Why, and 8D.
• Establish and monitor SPC for critical process parameters and implement Engineering Change Orders based on data-driven findings.
• Develop and document rework procedures and troubleshooting guides for offline failure analysis and NCM activities and corrective action back to source.

Skills

PLC programming

Lean manufacturing

OEE optimization

DMAIC / 8D problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Mechatronics or equivalent

Tools

Ladder logic

Structured Text

Safety logic

Job description

Our client, an advanced manufacturing organization building commercial-scale energy storage products, is seeking an Automation Process Engineer to join their team. As an AutomationProcess Engineer, you will be part of the Manufacturing Engineering organization supporting production line sustaining and continuous improvement efforts. The ideal candidate will have a strong drive for problem-solving, a lean mindset focused on yield and variation reduction, and the ability to collaborate daily across engineering and operations to improve critical KPIs. This is a contract to direct hire position.

Job Title: Automation Process Engineer

Location: Brookshire, Texas (Greater Houston Area) with 90% travel to the Bay Area, California

What's the Job?

• Own process sustaining and continuous improvement on the production line by monitoring yield, fallout, and critical parameters to drive measurable improvements.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing principles to optimize line layouts, material flow, waste reduction, and ergonomics while supporting transitions from concept to pilot and into mass manufacturing.
• Lead root cause analysis of complex test failures and non-conformances using structured problem-solving methods such as DMAIC, Ishikawa, Five Why (5W), and Eight Disciplines (8D).
• Establish and monitor SPC for critical process parameters, analyze variation, and implement Engineering Change Orders based on data-driven findings.
• Develop and document rework procedures and troubleshooting guides for offline failure analysis, including NCM (non-conforming material) activities and corrective action back to source.

What's Needed?

• Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Robotics Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Experience programming, troubleshooting, and integrating PLC platforms with ladder logic and structured text.
• Experience commissioning and optimizing equipment, with a demonstrated track record of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) improvement.
• 5+ years in an automated, high-volume manufacturing facility, including robotics maintenance, troubleshooting, optimization, and programming (preferred).
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to quickly learn complex systems; familiarity with safety control devices and safety logic is preferred.

What's in it for me?

• Work on high-impact process improvements that directly influence safety, quality, output, and cost.
• Collaborate closely with manufacturing engineering, new product introduction, quality engineering, equipment engineering, and production operators.
• Use structured, data-driven methods (SPC, MSA, DMAIC, 8D) to drive root cause elimination and sustained performance.
• Contribute to world-class quality goals by improving yield, capacity, and capability through continuous improvement projects.
• Support early builds and validation efforts through significant travel to the Bay Area for the next 6–12 months.

Upon completion of waiting period consultants are eligible for:

• Medical and Prescription Drug Plans
• Vision Plan
• Health Savings Account
• Health Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Business Travel Insurance
• Weekly Pay