Lead MFG Automation Engineer

Cepheid; Lodi (CA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus/incentive pay

Health/dental/vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

Cepheid, a Danaher operating company, seeks a Lead MFG Automation Engineer (Mechanical/Controls) to apply engineering principles to planning, design, development, documentation, testing, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of automated manufacturing equipment and related processes that support reliable production performance. The role reports to the Sr.

Manager, MFG Automation Engineering and is located on-site in Lodi, CA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of related work experience or Master’s with 6+ years or Doctoral with 3+ years
• Deep hands-on experience with industrial automation and high-volume manufacturing
• Proven ability to lead complex root cause investigations and implement long-term solutions
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional automation projects and mentoring engineers

Responsibilities

• Define, govern, and continuously improve controls architecture and reliability strategies for automated manufacturing systems.
• Lead systemic failure investigations and drive corrective actions for high-impact automation issues.
• Partner cross-functionally with Process, Maintenance, Quality, IT/OT, and EHS to ensure safe, compliant automation solutions.
• Mentor and develop Senior and Mid-level Automation Engineers to elevate capability.
• Provide input into capital projects, OEM selection, equipment design reviews, and automation roadmaps.

Skills

Electrical engineering knowledge

Industrial automation

Root cause analysis

Technical leadership

SCADA systems expertise

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering

Master’s degree in related field (with 6+ years of experience)

Doctoral degree in related field (with 3+ years of experience)

Tools

Allen-Bradley ControlLogix

Servo systems

Vision systems

Ignition SCADA

FactoryTalk SCADA

Job description

Bring more to life.Are you ready to accelerate your potential and make a real difference within life sciences, diagnostics and biotechnology?

Bring more to life.Are you ready to accelerate your potential and make a real difference within life sciences, diagnostics and biotechnology?
At Cepheid, one of Danaher’s 15+ operating companies, our work saves lives—and we’re all united by a shared commitment to innovate for tangible impact.
You’ll thrive in a culture of belonging where you and your unique viewpoint matter. And by harnessing Danaher’s system of continuous improvement, you help turn ideas into impact – innovating at the speed of life.
At Cepheid, we are passionate about improving health care through fast, accurate, molecular diagnostic systems and tests. As a member of our team, you’ll get to make an immediate, measurable impact on a global scale, within an environment that fosters career growth and development. Our mission drives us to develop groundbreaking solutions for the world’s most complex health challenges. Together, we bring MORE change to the world.
Learn about the Danaher Business System, which makes everything possible.
The Lead MFG Automation Engineer (Mechanical/Controls) is responsible for applying engineering principles to the planning, design, development, documentation, testing, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of automated manufacturing equipment, instruments, systems, and related processes that support reliable production performance.
This position reports to the Sr. Manager, MFG Automation Engineering and is part of the MFG Automation Engineering department located in Lodi, CA, and will be an on-site role.

In This Role, You Will Have The Opportunity To

• Define, govern, and continuously improve controls architecture, programming standards, and reliability strategies for automated manufacturing systems.
• Lead systemic failure investigations and drive corrective actions for chronic, high-impact automation issues. Drive improvements in manufacturing KPIs (OEE, MTBF, throughput, yield, Cycle time) through mechanical and controls optimization and modernization initiatives.
• Partner cross-functionally with Process, Maintenance, Quality, IT/OT, and EHS to ensure safe, compliant, and robust automation solutions.
• Mentor and develop Senior and Mid-level Automation Engineers, elevating overall engineering capability and technical rigor.
• Provide expert input into capital projects, OEM selection, equipment design reviews, and automation roadmaps.

The Essential Requirements Of The Job Include

• Bachelor’s degree in: Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Mechanical engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Industrial Engineering with 8+ years of related work experience OR Master’s degree in field with 6+ years of related work experience OR Doctoral degree in field with 3+ years of work experience
• Industrial Automation Expertise: Deep hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley ControlLogix PLCs, servo systems, robotics, vision systems, and electrical safety standards in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Advanced Troubleshooting & Reliability Engineering: Proven ability to lead complex root cause investigations and implement long-term solutions using FMEA, RCA, Fault Tree Analysis, and other reliability-focused methodologies.
• Technical Leadership: Demonstrated success leading cross-functional automation projects, influencing engineering, maintenance, quality, and operations teams, while mentoring engineers and technicians
• Controls Architecture & SCADA Systems: Experience developing and deploying engineering standards across multiple production lines, with advanced expertise in SCADA platforms (Ignition, FactoryTalk, or equivalent) for system monitoring, data acquisition, and performance optimization

Travel, Motor Vehicle Record & Physical/Environment Requirements

• Ability to work on-site in a manufacturing environment and support equipment-related activities as needed.
• Ability to lift, move, or carry tools, components, or equipment consistent with site safety requirements.

It would be a plus if you also possess previous experience in:

• Hands-on experience with electro-mechanical equipment in an automated manufacturing or production environment.
• Experience using Six Sigma or continuous improvement tools to improve reliability, quality, or process performance.

Cepheid, a Danaher operating company, offers a broad array of comprehensive, competitive benefit programs that add value to our lives. Whether it’s a health care program or paid time off, our programs contribute to life beyond the job. Check out our benefits at danaherbenefitsinfo.com.

The annual salary range for this role is $127,500–$175,500. This is the range that we in good faith believe is the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. This range may be modified in the future.

This job is also eligible for bonus/incentive pay.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remain in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.

Join our winning team today. Together, we’ll accelerate the real-life impact of tomorrow’s science and technology. We partner with customers across the globe to help them solve their most complex challenges, architecting solutions that bring the power of science to life.

For more information, visit www.danaher.com.

Cepheid