Senior Automation Engineer

APPLIED OPTOELECTRONICS INC; Sugar Land (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and health plans

Employer matching on 401(k)

Generous PTO policy

Job summary

APPLIED OPTOELECTRONICS INC is looking for a highly experienced Senior Automation Engineer based in Sugar Land, Texas. This role will lead the design and implementation of advanced automation systems across the manufacturing process, focusing on optimizing factory productivity.

The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in industrial automation, managing complex projects, and strong troubleshooting capabilities. The position offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in industrial automation, AMHS, or semiconductor manufacturing.
• Proven project management skills for large automation projects.
• Strong knowledge of SECS/GEM and E84 protocols.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation projects in a high‑volume manufacturing environment.
• Develop engineering specifications and maintenance documentation.
• Mentor automation engineers and technicians.

Skills

Industrial automation

Mechanical troubleshooting

Electrical troubleshooting

Robotics

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or related

Tools

PLC programming

Industrial automation controls

Job description

AOI is committed to providing equal opportunity in all of our employment practices, including hiring, placement, promotion, training, transfer and compensation, to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, sex, veteran status, age, disability, marital status, or any other category protected by State or U.S. Federal law. Moreover, we endeavor to treat our employees fairly.

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Automation Engineer to lead the design, implementation, optimization, and long-term operation of the whole fab automation systems, including AGV fleets, Overhead Hoist Transport (OHT), Smart Inventory, robotics, MES integration, SECS/GEM, and other automation technologies. As the technical leader for automation within the Optical Module Department, this role will define automation strategy, lead major automation projects, establish engineering standards, collaborate with vendors and cross‑functional teams, and mentor engineering and maintenance personnel to improve manufacturing efficiency, equipment reliability, and factory productivity.

Job Duties

• Lead the planning, commissioning, and continuous optimization of factory‑wide automation systems, including AGV fleets, OHT, Smart Inventory, robotics, and other automated material handling solutions, to support high‑volume optical module manufacturing.
• Serve as the technical leader, establishing system architecture, engineering standards, preventive maintenance strategies, and long‑term technology roadmaps.
• Lead automation integration projects with manufacturing equipment, including SECS/GEM, E84, MES, WMS, and factory control systems, ensuring seamless communication between automation systems and production tools.
• Manage automation vendors throughout the project lifecycle, including system specification, design review, FAT/SAT, installation, qualification, acceptance, warranty management, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Lead root cause analysis for complex mechanical, electrical, controls, communication, and software issues affecting AGV, OHT, Smart Inventory, and other automation infrastructures.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Process, Facilities, IT, Quality, EHS, and Production teams to define automation requirements for new production lines and factory expansion projects.
• Lead cleanroom automation layout planning, traffic simulation, routing optimization, charging station placement, and material flow analysis to maximize manufacturing efficiency.
• Develop engineering specifications, SOPs, equipment standards, maintenance documentation, troubleshooting guides, and engineering change procedures.
• Mentor and provide technical leadership to automation engineers, technicians, and maintenance personnel through training, coaching, and technical guidance.
• Support occasional international travel (approximately 10‑15%) for supplier audits, equipment acceptance, factory integration, and technical collaboration.
• Provide technical support during critical production events, new product introductions (NPI), major software deployments, and factory expansion activities.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in industrial automation, automated material handling systems (AMHS), semiconductor, electronics, or high‑tech manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading large‑scale automation projects involving AGV/AMR, OHT, robotics, conveyors, or automated warehouse systems.
• Strong knowledge of industrial communication protocols, including SECS/GEM, E84, PLC‑based control systems, Ethernet/IP OPC UA, or similar industrial networks.
• Strong troubleshooting skills involving mechanical, electrical, software, networking, and automation control systems.
• Experience managing equipment vendors, contractors, installation projects, FAT/SAT, and system qualification.
• Proven project management experience with the ability to lead multiple concurrent automation initiatives.

Preferred

• 5+ years of experience in automation engineering, robotics, or high‑tech manufacturing equipment validation.
• Solid knowledge of optical transceiver or optical module assembly and testing processes.
• Bilingual in Chinese (Mandarin) is a plus.
• Lead cross‑functional automation projects from concept through production.
• Advanced familiarity with fleet management software or programming language environments.
• Hands‑on experience with PLC programming or industrial automation controls.

Location

This position will be on‑site based in Sugar Land, Texas.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits.
• Flexible and competitive health (medical, dental, vision) plans.
• Employer matching on 401(k) deferrals.
• Generous PTO policy, with unused PTO payout at end of the year.
• Relocation package available within the US.
• Immigration sponsorships (Must be currently authorized to work in the US).