Senior Automation Engineer

Red Wing Shoe Company; Red Wing (MN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 148,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) match

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Red Wing Shoe Company, located in Red Wing, Minnesota, is seeking a full-time Automation Engineer responsible for designing and maintaining automation systems to enhance footwear manufacturing processes. Applicants should have a Bachelor's degree in engineering or 10+ years of relevant experience in industrial automation, with at least 6 years within a manufacturing environment. The competitive salary range is $110,000 to $148,600 based on qualifications, and a comprehensive benefits package is offered including medical, dental, and flexible spending accounts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field or equivalent 10+ years work experience.
• 6+ years experience in industrial automation preferred in manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Design, install, and maintain automation systems.
• Develop and deploy advanced vision systems and machine learning models.
• Integrate collaborative robotics for process optimization.

Skills

Industrial automation

PLC systems

Machine learning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics

10+ years equivalent work experience in advanced automation

Tools

Control panels

Collaborative robotics

Automated guided vehicles (AGVs)

Job description

Company Description

Watch here to see what it’s like to work at Red Wing Shoe Company.

Red Wing Shoe Company is based in Red Wing, Minnesota, just 40 minutes from St. Paul, where our corporate office sits along the Mississippi River in downtown Red Wing. We are a global company with 2,300 employees around the world, but we maintain a close‑knit family atmosphere that comes with being a privately‑held company. We're rich in history and tradition, but innovation drives us to deliver best‑in‑class product solutions and highly rated customer experiences. Focus on our employees and company culture results in meaningful employee engagement across the organization.

Our comprehensive benefits package for full‑time employees includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with health savings and flexible spending accounts, life and disability insurance, generous paid time off and holidays, a 401(k) match, employee discounts, and valuable well‑being benefits like free EAP services, financial planning assistance, and well‑being coaching all designed to support your health and financial security.

The targeted hiring range for this full‑time position is $110,000 – $148,600 depending on qualifications; however, the expanded salary range provides opportunities for advancement. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and job location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by factors including job‑related skills, competencies, experience, and relevant education, training or a combination of these things and market demand.

Job Description

General Purpose of Job:

Responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining automation systems to improve efficiency and quality in footwear manufacturing processes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Design, install, and maintain automation systems using PLCs, sensors, and actuators to support applications such as material handling, adhesive dispensing, and machine sequencing.
• Develop and deploy advanced vision systems and machine learning models to enhance visual inspection and mistake‑proofing operations.
• Build and wire control panels, including specification, installation, and integration of PLCs and related hardware.
• Leverage an established network of machine integrators, panel builders, and automation vendors to implement effective solutions.
• Integrate collaborative robotics and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for material handling and process optimization.
• Implement automation‑based safety controls, including light curtains and control logic, in compliance with industry best practices.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally to retrofit existing equipment and workflows with minimal disruption and maximum impact.
• Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize automated systems to reduce downtime and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Document control logic, system configurations, and standard operating procedures to facilitate training and maintenance.
• Ensure all automation systems meet safety regulations and operational standards.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field OR Equivalent work experience of 10+ years in advanced automation applications.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in industrial automation, preferably within a manufacturing or production environment.

Equal Opportunity

Red Wing Shoes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities.

Individuals with disabilities needing assistance in completing an application may contact [e-mail] or call 651-388-8211.

All offers of employment are contingent on satisfactory results of a background check.

Red Wing Shoe Company, Inc. is a drug‑free workplace.

Red Wing Shoe Company will not be using recruitment agencies or firms to fill this position and we will not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate information. No agency calls please.

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP at https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/ofccpost.htm