Senior Automation Engineer: Plant Automation Leader

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Annual retirement contribution

Life and AD&D insurance

Paid vacation

Tuition assistance program

Fitness reimbursement program

Career growth and advancement

Job summary

Westlake Corporation in North Carolina seeks a Senior Automation Engineer to drive automation strategy across our building products manufacturing operations. You will execute projects from concept through commissioning, improving plant safety and performance while collaborating with engineering, operations, IT, and manufacturing teams to deliver practical, high‑impact solutions.

You’ll lead cross‑functional automation initiatives across multiple sites, shaping the automation roadmap, mentoring

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.
• 10+ years of manufacturing engineering experience.
• 5+ years in automation, capital projects, design and equipment integration.
• Hands-on PLC/HMI programming and robotics (FANUC/ABB/KUKA).
• Strong project leadership, troubleshooting, and communication.
• Experience with project planning, scheduling and documentation.
• AutoCAD experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation projects from concept through installation, commissioning, and startup.
• Develop solutions that improve safety, reliability, productivity, and operational efficiency.
• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, IT, and project teams to identify automation and AI opportunities.
• Manage scope, schedule, budget, risk, and stakeholder communication.
• Perform feasibility studies and technical assessments to support decisions.
• 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

Project leadership

Troubleshooting

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

Westlake Corporation in North Carolina seeks a Senior Automation Engineer to drive automation strategy across our building products manufacturing operations. You will execute projects from concept through commissioning, improving plant safety and performance while collaborating with engineering, operations, IT, and manufacturing teams to deliver practical, high‑impact solutions.

You’ll lead cross‑functional automation initiatives across multiple sites, shaping the automation roadmap, mentoring