Automation Project Engineer: Lead Controls & Throughput

AAK AB; Louisville, Northern (KY, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development

Health insurance

HSA contribution

401(k) match

Life & disability insurance

Employee assistance

Pet insurance

Discounts

Onsite events

Peer recognition

Job summary

AAK AB in Louisville, KY is seeking an Automation Project Engineer to lead automation projects across manufacturing operations. You will partner with operations, maintenance, and vendors to design, program, and optimize automation systems from concept through commissioning and sustained operation.

The role focuses on safety, reliability, quality, efficiency, and throughput improvements, with responsibilities spanning documentation, testing, and handoff activities.

Qualifications

• Experience leading automation projects from scope to closeout.
• Ability to design, program, configure, and support automation systems.
• Strong collaboration with operations, maintenance, engineering, and vendors.
• Proven troubleshooting skills to minimize downtime and improve performance.
• Knowledge of safety standards and cybersecurity for industrial control systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation projects from scope through commissioning and closeout.
• Develop requirements, schedules, budgets, and implementation plans.
• Design and support PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, sensors, drives and networks.
• Troubleshoot equipment and control logic to improve performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure practical solutions.
• Prepare technical docs, test plans, and operating procedures.
• Support acceptance testing, startup, validation, and handoff activities.
• Ensure compliance with safety, policy, regulatory, and cybersecurity standards.
• Provide training and guidance to operations and maintenance staff.

Skills

Automation project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Industrial automation

Troubleshooting

Tools

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA

Industrial networks

Robotics

Job description

AAK AB in Louisville, KY is seeking an Automation Project Engineer to lead automation projects across manufacturing operations. You will partner with operations, maintenance, and vendors to design, program, and optimize automation systems from concept through commissioning and sustained operation.

The role focuses on safety, reliability, quality, efficiency, and throughput improvements, with responsibilities spanning documentation, testing, and handoff activities.