Senior Automation Engineer

Red Wing Brands of America; Red Wing (MN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 148,600; Full time

Job summary

Red Wing Shoe Company in Red Wing, Minnesota, designs, implements, and maintains advanced automation systems to improve efficiency and quality in footwear manufacturing. The role focuses on PLCs, sensors, actuators, vision systems, and machine learning-based inspection to drive continuous improvement.

You will collaborate with integrators and vendors, retrofit equipment, and ensure safety standards while reducing downtime and accelerating production excellence across our global operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical or Mechatronics (or related field) is required.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in industrial automation, preferably in manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Design, install, and maintain automation systems using PLCs, sensors, and actuators.
• Develop and deploy vision systems and ML-based inspection to improve quality.
• Build and wire control panels and integrate PLCs with hardware.
• Collaborate with integrators, panel builders, and automation vendors.
• Implement safety controls and retrofit existing equipment with minimal disruption.

Skills

PLC programming

Automation systems design

Vision systems

Machine learning basics

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Mechatronics

Tools

PLC programming tools

Industrial vision systems

Machine learning basics

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 2300 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 Guiding Behaviors of Living our Values, Honoring our Brands, Inspiring our People, Centering on our Customers, and Preserving the long‑term success and legacy of our Company are the foundation on which we build our future.

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. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range and benefits for your location during the hiring process.

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

• 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.

Additional Information

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.

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

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

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