Senior Automation Engineer

AOI; Sugar Land (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Immigration sponsorships

Generous PTO

401(k) employer matching

Health plans

Job summary

AOI in Sugar Land, Texas, seeks a Senior Automation Engineer to lead the design, implementation, optimization, and long-term operation of fab automation systems, including AGV fleets, OHT, Smart Inventory, robotics, MES integration, SECS/GEM, and other automation technologies.

You will define automation strategy, lead major automation projects, establish engineering standards, mentor engineering staff, and collaborate with vendors to improve manufacturing efficiency and productivity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline is required.
• Experience leading automation projects in high-tech manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of industrial networks and PLC-based systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, commissioning, and optimization of factory-wide automation systems.
• Establish engineering standards, maintenance strategies, and roadmaps.
• Manage automation vendor relationships from design to qualification.
• Lead root-cause analysis for automation issues across AGV, OHT, robotics, and MES.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define automation requirements.

Skills

Automation leadership

Project management

Industrial automation

SCADA PLC

Networking protocols

Education

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

Job description

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.

WHY AOI?

In addition to competitive salary, AOI offers

• Flexible and competitive health (medical, dental, vision) plans offer the employee with the right options to meet individual and family needs
• Employer matching on 401(k) deferrals
• Generous PTO policy, with unused PTO payout at end of the year
• Relocation package available within US
• Immigration sponsorships (Must be currently authorized to work in the US)