Machining & Automation Engineer

Ultimate Staffing; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

90% paid medical benefits

Equity

Job summary

Ultimate Staffing Services in Research Triangle Park, NC seeks a Machining & Automation Engineer to lead advanced manufacturing initiatives—from equipment selection and vendor evaluation to process design and qualification.

You will own end-to-end responsibilities for automated production lines, including design requirements, commissioning, production qualification, process optimization, and OEE improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Automation Engineering.
• 3+ years of relevant engineering experience.
• Strong CAD experience creating and validating complex equipment assemblies.
• Experience with heavy automation, robotics, AGVs, vision systems, and laser tech.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and pneumatic diagrams.

Responsibilities

• Lead equipment and vendor selection to meet scaling and quality goals.
• Oversee end-to-end process design, commissioning, and production qualification.
• Develop processes to improve throughput, quality, and equipment reliability.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
• Provide startup support to stabilize processes and remove bottlenecks.
• Collaborate with R&D to innovate future production lines.
• Ensure safety, environmental, and quality compliance.
• Support FATs with travel <10%.

Skills

CAD proficiency

Automation experience

Electrical schematics

Pneumatic diagrams

Documentation (PFMEA, CPs)

Reading technical drawings

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical/Electrical/Automation Engineering

Tools

Heavy automation systems

Vision systems (Cognex/Keyence)

Industrial lasers

Job description

Ultimate Staffing Services is actively seeking a talented and driven Machining & Automation Engineer for a prestigious client located in Research Triangle Park, NC. This dynamic role offers a unique opportunity to be part of a groundbreaking project for a company dedicated to manufacturing American permanent magnets.

Responsibilities

• Critical Priority - Equipment & Vendor Selection: Lead the evaluation, quote comparison, and selection of advanced manufacturing technologies and vendors. Ensure selected machinery meets scaling and quality goals.
• End-to-End Process Ownership: Manage equipment design/requirements, vendor performance, commissioning activities, and production qualification for automated production processes such as machining, grinding, coating, testing, and packaging.
• Process Optimization: Develop and optimize manufacturing processes to improve throughput, quality, and equipment reliability. Monitor OEE results and station cycle times to drive improvements.
• Project Management: Oversee technical schedules, budgets, and deliverables aligned with company milestones and customer commitments.
• Hands-on Startup Support: Provide hands-on support during production startup, helping stabilize processes and eliminate early bottlenecks.
• Future Innovation: Collaborate with R&D to develop and innovate new processes and equipment strategies for future production lines.
• EHS & Quality Compliance: Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards across all process activities.
• Travel: Participate in equipment development reviews and Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) with travel estimated at less than 10%.

You will also be responsible for developing, reviewing, or managing the following deliverables:

• Risk & Safety: Risk Assessments, Ergonomic Assessments, PFMEA.
• Process Design: Line Layouts, Process Flow Charts, Bill of Process (BOP), Station Cycle Times, Process Sheets, and Simulations.
• Engineering Diagrams: CAD Drawings, Electrical & Pneumatic Drawings, and performing necessary Electrical and Pneumatic Calculations.
• Quality & Control: Quality Control Plans, R&R (Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility) Studies, Quality Checklists, and Process Checklists.
• Operations & Maintenance: Work Instructions (SOPs), Calibration Procedures, Spare Parts Lists, Bill of Materials (BOM), and Maintenance Manuals.
• Controls & IT: HMI Controls Manuals, Vision Programs, MES Transactions Lists.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related technical discipline with 3+ years of experience.
• CAD Proficiency: Strong experience creating, modifying, and validating complex equipment assemblies and custom automation layouts in CAD.
• Advanced Automation & Systems: Hands‑on experience specifying, integrating, or operating heavy automation, robotics, AGVs, advanced vision systems, and industrial laser systems.
• Documentation Mastery: Expert‑level experience authoring and developing standard manufacturing documents such as PFMEA, Control Plans, Work Instructions, and Process Flows.
• Technical Literacy: Ability to read, interpret, and create electrical schematics and pneumatic diagrams, including performing core engineering calculations.

Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export‑controlled information or facilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience specifically in precision CNC machining, high‑volume grinding, or industrial surface coating applications.
• Hands‑on experience with machine vision programming (e.g., Cognex, Keyence).
• Proficiency with advanced simulation software for automated workflow and line balancing.
• Familiarity with MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) implementation and automated transaction mapping.

Required Work Hours

Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Benefits

• Unlimited PTO
• 90% paid medical benefits
• Equity

Additional Details

Salary range: $100,000 - $160,000 per year

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.