Senior Automation Engineer – Multi-Site, 40-50% Travel

Westlake Chemical; Salisbury (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

401(k) match

Retirement contribution

Life/AD&D insurance

Paid vacation

Tuition assistance

Fitness reimbursement

Career growth

Job summary

Westlake Royal Building Products is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer to drive automation strategy across our manufacturing operations. You will lead projects from concept through commissioning, partnering with engineering, operations, and IT to deliver practical, high-impact solutions.

This hands-on role requires deep PLC/HMI and robotics expertise, cross-functional collaboration, and a focus on safety and efficiency across multiple sites.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• 5+ years in automation, capital project management, engineering design, and equipment integration.
• Hands-on PLC/HMI and robotics experience required.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation projects from concept through installation, commissioning, and startup.
• Develop solutions to improve safety, reliability, productivity, and efficiency.
• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, IT, and project teams to identify automation opportunities.
• Manage scope, schedule, budget, risk, and stakeholder communications.
• Troubleshoot complex issues and provide post-implementation support.
• Provide technical guidance and training to plant teams.
• Collaborate with production teams to identify and implement process improvements through automation.

Skills

PLC/HMI programming

Ladder logic

Industrial robotics (FANUC/ABB/KUKA)

Project leadership

Troubleshooting

Technical documentation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

FANUC robotics

ABB robotics

KUKA robotics

Job description

Westlake Royal Building Products is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer to drive automation strategy across our manufacturing operations. You will lead projects from concept through commissioning, partnering with engineering, operations, and IT to deliver practical, high-impact solutions.

This hands-on role requires deep PLC/HMI and robotics expertise, cross-functional collaboration, and a focus on safety and efficiency across multiple sites.