Senior Automation/Controls Engineer

VIAVI Solutions; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 134,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

VIAVI Solutions manufactures advanced optical thin-film and pigment coating products in a 24/7 Santa Rosa, CA, operation. This Controls Engineer role balances keeping automation running and leading capital projects — machine installations, system upgrades, and next-generation platforms.

The position involves designing, developing, and maintaining PLC/HMI systems, configuring drives, and integrating with existing infrastructure, with opportunities for leadership and cross-functional collaboration

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls, Automation, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years in industrial controls/automation in a manufacturing environment.
• PLC programming: Siemens Step 7 / TIA Portal or Mitsubishi GX Developer.
• Experience supporting automation in 24/7 or continuous production environments.
• Programming with Visual Studio, C#.
• End-to-end ownership of capital project automation scope.
• HMI development, industrial networking, SQL databases, source code management.
• Strong troubleshooting skills; ability to read electrical schematics and P&IDs.
• Excellent communication skills; occasional international travel required.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain PLC and HMI systems for manufacturing equipment.
• Commission new automation hardware and software; integrate with existing infrastructure.
• Configure and commission motor drives, motion systems, and closed-loop control systems.
• Design and administer SQL databases; manage industrial networks (Profibus, Ethernet/IP, OPC).
• Maintain source control, documentation, and change records for all control system work.
• Lead or contribute to capital project scoping, scheduling, and execution.
• Mentor junior engineers; collaborate across Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering teams.
• Demonstrate communication and leadership skills aligned with future management growth.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI development

Industrial networking

SQL databases

C# programming

End-to-end project ownership

Reading schematics & P&IDs

Team mentorship potential

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls, Automation, or equivalent experience

Tools

Siemens Step 7 / TIA Portal

Mitsubishi GX Developer

Visual Studio

C#

Allen-Bradley / Rockwell

Wonderware System Platform

Job description

Summary:

VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for telecommunications, cloud, enterprises, first responders, military, aerospace, and railway. VIAVI is also a leader in light management technologies for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, government and aerospace applications.

We are the people behind the products that help keep the world connected at home, school, work, at play, and everywhere in between. VIAVI employees are passionate about supporting customer success and we welcome people who bring their best every day to the company – to question, to collaborate and to push for solutions that will delight our customers.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Role

VIAVI Solutions manufactures advanced optical thin-film and pigment coating products across a 24/7 production environment in Santa Rosa, CA, with additional sites in China and Arizona. This Controls Engineer position balances two priorities: keeping automation running in an active manufacturing operation, and leading new capital project work — machine installations, system upgrades, and next-generation automation platforms. For the right candidate, this role has a clear path into engineering leadership and management of VIAVI’s Automation Controls group.

Manufacturing Support

• Resolve PLC/HMI faults rapidly to restore production
• Support planned maintenance windows and change deployments
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Improve control logic, alarming, and system reliability
• Partner closely with maintenance and operations teams

New Capital Projects

• Own automation scope on new machine installations
• Define PLC/HMI/network architecture for new systems
• Manage vendors, FAT/SAT, and project documentation
• Commission and validate systems into Operations

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain PLC and HMI systems for manufacturing equipment
• Commission new automation hardware and software; integrate with existing infrastructure
• Configure and commission motor drives, motion systems, and closed-loop control systems
• Design and administer SQL databases; manage industrial networks (Profibus, Ethernet/IP, OPC)
• Maintain source control, documentation, and change records for all control system work
• Lead or contribute to capital project scoping, scheduling, and execution
• Mentor junior engineers; collaborate across Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering teams
• Demonstrate communication and leadership skills aligned with future management growth

Pre-Requisites / Skills / Experience Requirements:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls, Automation, or equivalent experience
• 5+ years in industrial controls/automation in a manufacturing environment
• PLC programming: Siemens Step 7 / TIA Portal or Mitsubishi GX Developer
• Experience supporting automation in 24/7 or continuous production environments
• Programming with Visual Studio, C#
• End-to-end ownership of capital project automation scope
• HMI development, industrial networking, SQL databases, source code management
• Strong troubleshooting skills; ability to read electrical schematics and P&IDs
• Excellent communication skills; occasional international travel required

Preferred Skills

• Allen-Bradley / Rockwell or Honeywell PLC platforms
• LabVIEW, Wonderware System Platform, Oracle, Linux, Windows administration
• Vision systems, vacuum coating processes, optics knowledge
• Prior team-lead experience

Leadership & Management Growth Path —

High performers will have the opportunity to eventually lead the Controls team technically and move into formal management of VIAVI’s Automation Controls Engineering group. Growth is supported through stretch assignments, leadership visibility, and formal development planning.

VIAVI Solutions is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer – minorities/females/veterans/persons with disabilities.

Job Posting Pay Range:

134,400

to

249,600

Exceptional qualifications, experience and location may impact salary. VIAVI offers a competitive benefits package that includes paid time off, health, life and disability insurance, 401(k), and a bonus program.