Instrumentation/Automation Service Engineer I

Abbott Laboratories; Madison, Northern (WI, KY); Hybrid; USD 31,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott Laboratories in Madison, WI is seeking an Equipment/Automation Engineer I to support manufacturing, launch new equipment, and provide technical guidance across production teams. The role emphasizes troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and cross-functional collaboration within a regulated environment.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering or an equivalent combination and willingness to work shifts, including nights or weekends, with up to 10% travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field; or, Associates degree with 2 years of experience.
• Possesses basic knowledge of engineering theories, practices and procedures and applies this knowledge to complete assignments.
• Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• Demonstrated ability to perform essential duties of the position.

Responsibilities

• Develop process and procedures for building new equipment.
• Apply defined procedures to execute and document changes to existing equipment.
• Investigate problems, gather facts, analyze data, and draw accurate conclusions.
• Assist with troubleshooting and repairing equipment.
• Support investigation of Non-Conforming Materials Reports to resolve quality issues.
• Support the building and testing of custom equipment.
• Participate as a team member on more complex improvement projects.
• Execute assigned tasks; manage time and competing priorities with guidance from leadership.
• Communicate project status; prepare and present written and oral reports.
• Follow procedures and maintain detailed records per FDA, ISO, CAP, CLIA requirements.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team within a matrix organization.
• Travel approximately 10% for training and vendor site visits.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Root cause analysis

Communication

Teamwork

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Associate degree with 2 years experience in Engineering/Technology

Tools

IQ/OQ/PQ documentation

FMEA

Change control

Job description

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Position Overview

Our Mission at Abbott Cancer Diagnostics is to eradicate cancer and the suffering it causes – through tests that help prevent it, detection that finds it earlier, and guidance for its successful treatment. Come join our team and make a difference in other people’s lives. The Equipment/Automation Engineer I, within the corporate operations department, is primarily responsible for manufacturing support for existing equipment, and helping to launch new equipment into Production. This position will participate in a variety of engineering design functions, provide technical guidance to the production teams, triage failures, manage improvements, and ensure our machines are properly supported throughout their life. This position will work cross functionally with multiple departments to ensure that the business objectives and our customer needs are met. This position supports a collaborative environment that promotes positive teamwork where all members are working for the good of Exact Sciences. This is an ideal role for a hands‑on engineer with good communication skills looking to make an impact in the fight against cancer.

Scheduled Shift Tuesday - Friday 6:00 am - 4:30 pm.

Essential Duties

• Develop process and procedures for building new equipment.
• Apply defined procedures to execute and document changes to existing equipment.
• Investigate problems, gather facts, analyze data, and draw accurate conclusions.
• Assist with troubleshooting and repairing equipment.
• Support investigation of Non‑Conforming Materials Reports to resolve quality issues.
• Support the building and testing of custom equipment.
• Participate as a team member on more complex improvement projects.
• Execute assigned tasks; manage time and competing priorities with guidance from leadership.
• Communicate project status; prepare and present written and oral reports.
• Follow procedures and maintain detailed records in accordance with FDA, ISO, CAP, CLIA requirements.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team within a matrix organization.
• Uphold company mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork.
• Support and comply with the company’s Quality Management System policies and procedures.
• Regular and reliable attendance.
• Ability to work designated schedule.
• Ownership mindset: follows issues through from initial fault to verified, documented resolution.
• Strong troubleshooting skills under production pressure, with a methodical root‑cause approach.
• Ability to validate and document automation changes through change control, IQ/OQ/PQ, risk assessments, and test protocols.
• Strong understanding of risk management, including FMEA and corrective/preventive action support.
• Ability to work nights and/or weekends, as needed.
• Ability to work overtime, as needed.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds for < 5% of a typical working day.
• Ability to work in front of a computer screen and/or perform typing for approximately 80% of a typical working day.
• Ability to comply with all applicable personal protective equipment requirements.
• Ability to travel approximately 10% of working time for occasional training, out of state vendor site visits, and travel between Exact Sciences sites.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field; or, in lieu of Bachelor's degree, Associates degree in Engineering, Technology, Electronics, or similar field with 2 years of experience.
• Possesses basic knowledge of engineering theories, practices and procedures and applies this knowledge and skills to complete assignments.
• Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• Demonstrated ability to perform the Essential Duties of the position with or without accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in engineering or relevant life sciences / medical device industry.
• Experience working in manufacturing or engineering environments applying problem solving skills (e.g., Six Sigma, probability and statistics) and process improvement (e.g. Lean).
• Experience working in an FDA/cGMP/CAP/CLIA regulated production environment.

The base pay for this position is $22.45 – $44.85/hour. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

JOB FAMILY: Engineering DIVISION: ONCO Cancer Diagnostics LOCATION: United States > Madison : 1 Exact Lane

WORK SHIFT: Standard TRAVEL: Yes, 10 % of the Time MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: No

Significant Work Activities

• Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day)
• Continuous standing for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day)
• Continuous walking for prolonged periods (more than 2 hours at a time in an 8 hour day)
• Lift, carry, push or pull weights of more than 20 pounds/9 kilos on a regular/daily basis

Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans. EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf

Abbott is about the power of health. For more than 135 years, Abbott has been helping people reach their potential — because better health allows people and communities to achieve more. With a diverse, global network serving customers in more than 160 countries, we create new solutions — across the spectrum of health, around the world, for all stages of life. Whether it’s next‑generation diagnostics, life‑changing devices, science‑based nutrition, or novel reformulations, we are advancing some of the most innovative and revolutionary technologies in healthcare, helping people live their best lives through better health. The people of Abbott come to work each day with relentless energy, enthusiasm and a promise to enhance the health and well‑being of millions of people. They push the boundaries to help manage and treat some of life’s greatest health challenges.

We invite you to explore opportunities at Abbott, to see if your talents and career aspirations may fit with our openings.

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