Senior Automation Engineer

Cushman & Wakefield; Salinas (CA); On-site; USD 124,036 - 145,925; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Comprehensive benefits starting on day

Training, development, and advancement

A clean and cutting-edge facility

A safety-first culture

Job summary

Cushman & Wakefield in Salinas, CA is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer to lead the Automation Engineering team at the facility. You will design and maintain control systems, optimize material handling equipment, and drive reliability and performance across conveyors, sortation, scanners, and SCADA devices.

You will mentor engineers, collaborate with Operations, Safety, and Engineering, manage projects, and communicate timelines to leadership while traveling up to 10% as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or related field.
• Experience with electrical theory, robotics, controls components, and automated equipment.
• Proficiency in RSLogix5000 Studio and FT View.
• Knowledge of robotics work cells and their control systems.
• Experience with SCADA, KPIs, and MHE systems.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and mentor Automation Engineers to achieve facility goals.
• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Safety to support MHE systems optimization.
• Maintain and troubleshoot material handling control systems and networks.
• Escalate downtime and coordinate with network support teams.
• Lead failure analysis and implement process improvements.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering

Engineering Technology or related field

Tools

RSLogix5000 Studio

FT View

Job description

Job Title

Senior Automation Engineer

Job Description

As a Senior Automation Engineer (SAE), you will manage the Automation Engineering (AE) team at your facility. This includes coordinating the maintenance of the control systems, scheduling tasks and projects with your team, and designing more efficient methods to operate the systems. SAEs are a primary resource for the overall operational efficiency of the facility and other leaders within the building’s maintenance team. You will focus on maximizing equipment reliability and operational performance of equipment such as conveyors, sortation systems, scanners, cameras, print‑and‑apply systems, and SCADA devices and programs in fulfillment center operations.

Benefits

• Weekly pay
• Comprehensive benefits starting on your first day
• Training, development, and advancement opportunities
• A clean and cutting‑edge facility
• A safety‑first culture

Responsibilities

• Coordinating with and mentoring Automation Engineers to accomplish the goals and objectives of your facility’s operational plan.
• Collaborating closely with Operations, Engineering, Safety, and other departments to support MHE systems optimization and project implementation.
• Understanding, maintaining, and troubleshooting material handling control systems, including PLC/PC controllers and industrial networks such as Ethernet, ControlNet, DeviceNet, Profibus, motor control systems, servo drives, frequency drives, and electrical distribution systems.
• Monitoring MHE metrics, partnering with maintenance/operations to address system performance issues, and providing analysis across all facilities.
• Acting as the first level of escalation support for the Automation Engineers, during and after business hours, troubleshooting locally and remotely, and repairing all hardware or controls software systems within the building.
• Appropriately escalating downtime situations to other network support teams, experts, and/or vendors to restore equipment operation.
• Facilitating Failure Analysis and Incident Review processes and implementing process improvements or retraining to avoid future incidents.
• Applying subject matter expertise in material handling and electronic systems to maximize building utilization of systems.
• Performing, utilizing, and providing analysis and analytics to assess material handling system performance.
• Partnering with facility Operations leadership, equipment vendors, and parts suppliers to plan and coordinate new technology installations, acting as the technical consultant for capital projects inside the building.
• Communicating technical issues and project timelines with building leadership, operations, and the maintenance team, and explaining operational impact.
• Assisting with skill assessments for the technical positions within the site maintenance teams.
• Participating in AE conference calls and coordinating with the AE central team to complete all required tasks.
• Traveling up to 10%.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related field, or 5+ years of equivalent professional or military experience.
• Experience with electrical theory, robotics, controls components, and automated equipment.
• Proficiency in programming software (e.g. RSLogix5000 Studio, FT View, etc.).
• Knowledge of robotics work cells and their control systems.
• Experience identifying, maintaining, troubleshooting, programming, and designing HMI and control network components.
• Experience identifying, maintaining, troubleshooting, and modifying motor controls, including motor starters, VFDs, DC drives, and standard electrical components.
• Hands‑on troubleshooting experience with industrial electrical systems, including 480V 3‑phase, 110 VAC, and 24VDC.
• Knowledge of Warehouse Management System Software Concepts and messaging protocols.
• Experience interpreting, modifying, and developing mechanical and electrical drawings.
• Experience with SCADA systems and KPIs.
• Proven leadership skills in a technical role, with the ability to interact with all levels of management.
• Strong reasoning, analytical, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Experience in training and developing others.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in systems controls design, programming, and integration.
• Field service engineering experience.
• Experience supporting a wide range of different conveyors and sortation systems.
• Proven history of remote technical phone support.
• Experience with advanced automation controls systems, industrial robotics, and ASRS systems.

Compensation

The compensation for the position is: $124,036.03 – $145,924.74.

Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at 1-888-365-5406 or email [e-mail].