Senior Automation Engineer - Build & Optimize Manufacturing

HID Global Corporation; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Career development

Inclusive culture

Job summary

HID Global is seeking an Automation Engineer IV in Austin to lead the design, build, and deployment of custom automation equipment for HID manufacturing needs. You will own the prototype-to-production lifecycle, including proof-of-concept builds, validation testing and production handoff.

In this hands-on role, you will perform mechanical, electrical, and controls development, collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Quality, and suppliers, and implement improvements to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• 7+ years of engineering equipment development experience.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Dependable team player able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Hands-on design, build, and modification of automation equipment in manufacturing.
• Experience translating operational problems into automation solutions.
• Hybrid approach development: modifying off-the-shelf equipment and adding custom features.
• Strong mechanical/electrical system design background with component selection and integration.
• Experience prototyping, proof-of-concept, and production automation.
• Knowledge of automation controls, sensors, actuators, motion, vision systems and safety concepts.
• Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement concepts related to automation.
• Strong collaboration with Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and suppliers.
• Ability to document designs and build standards for repeatability.

Responsibilities

• Designing, building, and developing custom automation equipment from concept through production-ready deployment.
• Performing hands-on mechanical, electrical, and controls development, including fabrication, assembly, testing, and iteration of automation systems.
• Researching and learning the automation equipment market to inform development strategies.
• Developing automation solutions using a build-from-scratch approach or by modifying equipment.
• Designing and implementing custom features, addons, and performance enhancements.
• Modifying internal equipment designs to add functionality, improve reliability, or increase throughput.
• Owning the prototype-to-production lifecycle, including proof-of-concept builds, validation testing, and production handoff.
• Troubleshooting and debugging mechanical, electrical, software, and system-level issues on equipment.
• Collaborating with Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Quality, and suppliers to ensure robust designs.
• Creating and maintaining technical documentation including schematics, drawings, test results, and build instructions.
• Identifying continuous improvement opportunities and implementing design changes to improve performance and scalability.
• Partnering with Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and Production teams to identify automation opportunities based on pain points, capacity, quality risks, and safety concerns.
• Observing and analyzing shop floor processes to define functional requirements and automation concepts.
• Translating requirements into practical automation solutions balancing feasibility, effort, cost, and scalability.
• Leading hands-on development including concept generation, design trade studies, prototyping, testing, and iterative refinement.
• Evaluating existing equipment to determine modifications vs full replacement.
• Supporting deployment of automation into production, including onsite debugging, operator support, and early-life issue resolution.
• Acting as a technical problem solver during production challenges and determining improvements.
• Collaborating with suppliers and internal teams to integrate externally sourced equipment; ensuring necessary modifications are in-house.
• Contributing to standardization and reuse of concepts, designs, and components to improve efficiency.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Team player

Conflict resolution

Hands-on design

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Automation controls

Sensors

Actuators

Motion systems

Vision systems

Job description

HID Global is seeking an Automation Engineer IV in Austin to lead the design, build, and deployment of custom automation equipment for HID manufacturing needs. You will own the prototype-to-production lifecycle, including proof-of-concept builds, validation testing and production handoff.

In this hands-on role, you will perform mechanical, electrical, and controls development, collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Quality, and suppliers, and implement improvements to