Engineer II (automated production)

Socket.dev; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev in Buffalo, NY seeks an Engineer II to lead quality assurance and continuous improvement across manufacturing processes. You will manage complex projects, apply advanced data analysis, and integrate new automation and software solutions to drive profitability and product quality.

You will support customer-focused development, design robust processes, and mentor teams in lean practices while coordinating with management on strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field from an accredited college or university.
• Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering degrees preferred.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• 2-5 years work experience.
• 1-2 years of project management experience preferred.
• 2-5 years experience with industrial automation (Industrial Robotics, Vision, PLC, Low-cost automation); Yaskawa automation preferred.
• Core technical expertise in materials, mechanical systems, industrial engineering.
• Knowledge of quality assurance principles and regulatory standards (ISO, FDA, Automotive).
• Lean and Six Sigma continuous improvement experience.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements advanced QA and continuous improvement methods.
• Leads root cause analysis and corrective actions for complex issues.
• Manages complex projects with resource allocation and milestone tracking.
• Drives innovation and integration of new technologies across teams.
• Addresses customer requirements and leads complex development projects.
• Documents processes and ensures compliance with internal/external standards.
• Provides shop floor support and drives overall product quality improvements.

Skills

Problem Solving

Project Management

Communication Skills

Circuit design

Software Skills

Industriousness

Education

Bachelors in STEM

Mechanical Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Industrial Engineering

Master’s degree

Tools

CAD

Minitab

Job description

Position Summary:

The Engineer II is responsible for leveraging their technical and soft skills to ensure high product quality and profitability. Key duties include developing and implementing quality assurance and continuous improvement methodologies, managing complex projects, and integrating new technologies. The role requires an elevated level of ownership, accountability, and effectiveness.

Essential Functions:

Technical Expertise

• Equipment Expertise: Expertise in specific equipment that is leveraged for complex troubleshooting and optimization. Leads new equipment onboarding processes.
  • Robotic/Automation Equipment Experience: Expertise in robotic and automation equipment, experience in troubleshooting, adjusting equipment. Technical lead for automation scoping and onboarding.
• Data Analysis: Utilizes advanced data analysis techniques to drive process optimization.
• Process Design: Designs and optimizes complex manufacturing processes and documents processes in detail.

Quality Assurance and Problem Solving

• Inspection and Process Controls: Develops, implements, and monitors advanced inspection and process control methods.
• Root Cause Analysis and Troubleshooting: Leads root cause analysis and implements corrective actions for complex issues.
• Continuous Improvement: Implements larger continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality and profitability.
• Management Support: Complete other tasks as assigned by management.

Innovation and Technology Integration

• Innovation: Drives innovation initiatives and nurtures a culture of innovation.
• Technology and Digital Transformation: Leads the integration of advanced technologies and ensures seamless adoption across teams. (ex. new equipment, automation/robotics, new software, etc.)

Customer Focus and Product Development

• Customer Requirements: Ensures customer requirements are met and leads complex customer development projects that exceed customer expectations.
• Customer Feedback: Leads initiatives to address customer feedback and improve product quality and satisfaction.
• Customer Communication: Manages customer communications and builds strong relationships to ensure satisfaction.

Project Management and Leadership

• Project Management: Independently manages complex projects, allocates resources, and ensures timely completion of milestones.
• Documentation and Organization: Develops comprehensive documentation and ensures internal and external standards are met.
• Leadership: Demonstrates strong leadership skills and fosters a culture of Tapecon's core values.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors in a STEM field from an accredited College or University required
  • Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering Degrees preferred.
• Master’s degree in related field preferred
• 2-5 years work experience required
• 1-2 years of project management experience preferred
• Technical Experience: 2-5 years of experience working with industrial automation (Industrial Robotics, Vision, PLC, Low-cost automation) preferred. Direct experience with Yaskawa automation highly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge

• Core Technical Expertise: Advanced knowledge and application of materials expertise, mechanical systems, industrial engineering, and/or any other specialty focus area.
• Quality and Compliance: Strong understanding of quality assurance principles, methodologies, and regulatory standards (e.g., ISO, FDA, Automotive or similar).
• Continuous Improvement: Strong understanding of continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, etc.

Skills

• Problem Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on data-driven decision-making.
• Organization, Time Management, Project Management: Excellent project planning and execution capabilities, with attention to detail and organizational impact.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with customers, vendors, and cross-functional teams.
• Software Skills: Advanced proficiency in software tools (e.g., CAD, Minitab) and ability to train others.
• Circuit design.

Abilities

• Industriousness: Proactive and rigorous approach to problems with proven success in execution of tasks and projects.

Key Performance Indicators

• Profitability: Significant profit generation with clear evidence through revenue creation and/or cost savings initiatives.
• Production and quality support: Response time speed and effectiveness for shop floor support and the corrective action process.
• Effectiveness: Demonstrates independence and high effectiveness in executing complex projects and achieving goals.
• Development Plan: Performance to personal development plan.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions:

The physical demands described represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, climb, stoop, kneel, and crouch. The employee is occasionally required to balance or crawl. The employee is required to regularly operate a computer and other office machinery such as a copy machine and printer. The employee is required to regularly reach with arms and hands; use hands to handle, finger or feel objects, tools or controls. Hands and fingers may frequently perform repetitive motion. Occasionally the employee will use arms and hands to balance and climb. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Occasionally the employee will lift and/or move up to 25 pounds with the use of a lift assist. This job requires close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Employee is required to regularly talk and hear. The person in this position frequently communicates to other employees/personnel as well as customers and must be able to exchange accurate information.

TOTAL COMPENSATION:

The pay range below reflects the potential compensation for this position. Compensation will vary based on factors including experience. Other benefits include weekly transportation benefit, competitive Paid Time Off package, medical insurance, comprehensive ancillary benefit offerings, 401K plan with employer match, and more.

Additional information:

Please note that offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of background check, pre-employment physical, and drug screen as they align with New York State requirements.

Additionally, this is an ITAR compliance related position. The offer is contingent upon proof of US Person status (US Person is defined under ITAR as a natural person who is a lawful permanent resident as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)) or an export control license for non-US Persons.