Senior Automation Controls Engineer

Cepheid; Lodi (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Health/dental/vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

Cepheid, a Danaher operating company, seeks a Senior Automation Controls Engineer to design and implement PLC-based automation and machine vision for high-volume manufacturing at the Newark site. You will independently deliver complex automation solutions and support production systems in a cross-functional team environment.

The role emphasizes controls development, integration of vision systems, IQ/OQ/PQ validation, and adherence to IEC 61131-3 standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree in a related field with progressive work experience.
• Hands-on PLC and HMI programming and troubleshooting with Rockwell tools.
• Experience with Cognex vision systems and industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, IO-Link, OPC UA).
• Strong background in high-speed manufacturing equipment and IEC 61131-3 PLC software.
• Proven ability to document validation, IQ/OQ/PQ, and equipment qualification.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, test, and troubleshoot PLC-based control systems, HMIs and UI software.
• Implement and integrate vision inspection systems (Cognex In-Sight, VisionPro).
• Support commissioning, upgrades, validation activities, and production troubleshooting.
• Follow established controls, vision, and validation standards in all work.
• Participate in design reviews and cross-functional problem solving.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

Vision systems

Industrial protocols

Validation documentation

IEC 61131-3

Education

Bachelor's degree in field

Master's degree in field

Doctoral degree in field

Tools

Rockwell RS Logix-5000

FactoryTalk

Cognex In-Sight

VisionPro

EtherNet/IP

DeviceNet

IO-Link

OPC UA

IEC 61131-3 tooling

Job description

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 will 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 enthusiastic about improving health care through fast, accurate, molecular diagnostic systems and tests. As a member of our team, you will 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 Senior Automation Controls Engineer is an experienced individual contributor responsible for the design, development, implementation, and support of PLC-based automation and machine vision systems used in high-volume manufacturing. This role independently delivers complex automation solutions, supports production systems, and collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to ensure reliable, compliant equipment performance.

This position reports to the Manager – Automation and Controls and is part of the Systems Engineering group located in Newark and will be an on-site role.

In This Role, You Will Have The Opportunity To

• Design, program, test, and troubleshoot PLC-based control systems, HMIs and user interface software for automated manufacturing equipment
• Implement and integrate vision inspection systems (e.g., Cognex In-Sight, VisionPro, deeplearning where applicable)
• Support system commissioning, equipment upgrades, validation (IQ, OQ, PQ) activities and production troubleshooting
• Execute work in accordance with established controls, vision, and validation standards
• Participate in design reviews, electrical design and code reviews, and cross-functional problem solving

The Essential Requirements Of The Job Include

• Bachelor’s degree in field with 5+ years of related work experience OR Master’s degree in field with 3+ years of related work experience OR Doctoral degree in field with related work experience.
• Controls & Automation Expertise: Hands-on experience with PLC and HMI programming/troubleshooting (Rockwell RS Logix-5000, FactoryTalk), Cognex Designer (In-Sight, VisionPro deep learning), and industrial communication protocols (EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, IO-Link, OPC UA).
• Manufacturing Systems & Standards: Extensive work with high-speed manufacturing equipment, Fanuc robots, VFDs, servo systems, motion control, and safety/standard I/O; proven ability to develop, maintain, and implement controls standards using IEC 61131-3-aligned PLC software.
• Integration, Validation & Documentation: Strong background in software validation, equipment qualification, and detailed technical documentation; experience specifying and integrating control panels, including PLCs, I/O, power supplies, safety components, drives, and networks.

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 Danaher Benefits Info.

The annual salary range for this role is $140,000 to $155,000. 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 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 remains 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.

Danaher Corporation and all Danaher Companies are committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristics protected by law.

The U.S. EEO posters are available here.

For candidates who are based outside of New York City or who are applying for roles outside of New York City, for more information about conditions of any job offer.

We comply with federal and state disability laws and make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact:1-202-419-7762 or [e-mail].