Senior Automation & Equipment Engineer

Alpitronic; Fort Mill (SC); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Alpitronic in Fort Mill, SC, seeks a Senior Equipment Engineer to develop and optimize manufacturing equipment and automation for electromechanical products. You will partner with Product Development, Process Engineering, Production, Quality, and Maintenance to ensure safe, scalable manufacturing and successful handover to Production.

You will lead projects from concept through installation, validation, and ramp-up, standardize equipment concepts across sites, monitor performance, troubleshoot

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics, or related field.
• 5+ years in equipment/automation within a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on with equipment specification, development, commissioning, and support.
• Experience with manufacturing processes, equipment design, tooling, and automation.
• Lean, risk analysis, and structured problem-solving methods (FMEA, 8D, PDCA, SPC).

Responsibilities

• Evaluate manufacturability and optimize assembly processes and automation.
• Translate requirements into technical equipment specs with ROI analysis.
• Plan, test, and implement assembly equipment and automation solutions.
• Lead equipment projects from concept through installation and handover.
• Standardize equipment concepts to improve scalability and efficiency across sites.
• Monitor performance, troubleshoot, and implement upgrades for reliability and quality.

Skills

Manufacturing equipment

Automation systems

Process optimization

Troubleshooting

Project management

Education

B.S. Mechanical Eng

Tools

CAD software

PLC control

MES/ERP systems

SCADA

Job description

Job Summary:

The Equipment Engineer is responsible for developing, implementing, and optimizing manufacturing equipment and automation systems used in the assembly and testing of advanced electromechanical products.

This role partners closely with Product Development, Process Engineering, Production, Quality, Maintenance, and other cross-functional teams to ensure new and existing products can be manufactured safely, efficiently, and at scale.

The Equipment Engineer leads equipment projects from initial concept and technical specification through supplier selection, installation, commissioning, validation, and final handover to Production. The role also supports continuous improvement of existing equipment by improving reliability, capability, safety, quality, and productivity.

What You'll Do

• Evaluate product designs for manufacturability and identify opportunities to optimize assembly processes, equipment, and automation.
• Translate product and process requirements into detailed technical equipment specifications, including risk assessments, technical requirements, and ROI analysis.
• Plan, specify, test, and implement assembly equipment, automation technologies, tooling, and internal material-handling solutions to support safe and efficient production.
• Develop scalable equipment and automation concepts in collaboration with Product Development, Process Engineering, Production, Quality, and other cross-functional teams.
• Lead equipment projects from specification and supplier coordination through installation, commissioning, validation, capability testing, and successful handover to Production.
• Drive the standardization of equipment concepts and technologies across product families and production sites to improve scalability, consistency, and efficiency.
• Monitor equipment performance, troubleshoot issues, and implement upgrades and optimization initiatives to improve reliability, quality, productivity, and equipment capability.
• Collaborate with Production, Quality, Maintenance, IT/OT, Procurement, and external suppliers to ensure successful equipment integration and ongoing performance.
• Ensure complete and accurate technical documentation, including equipment specifications, drawings, manuals, risk assessments, validation records, and acceptance documentation.
• Support continuous improvement through structured problem-solving, quality assurance, Lean Manufacturing, and risk-management methodologies.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in equipment engineering, manufacturing engineering, automation, process engineering, or equipment development within a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience specifying, developing, implementing, commissioning, or supporting manufacturing equipment.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing and assembly processes, equipment design, tooling, and automation.
• Experience developing technical equipment specifications and working with equipment manufacturers, integrators, or other external suppliers.
• Experience with equipment commissioning, troubleshooting, validation, and production ramp-up.
• Working knowledge of structured problem-solving and risk-management methodologies such as FMEA, 8D, root-cause analysis, PDCA, and SPC.
• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement principles.
• Demonstrated ability to manage technical projects and coordinate activities across multiple functions and external partners.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with automated or semi-automated assembly of electromechanical or electrical products.
• Experience with power electronics, electronics manufacturing, EV charging equipment, automotive, industrial equipment, energy systems, or similar technically complex products.
• Knowledge of PLC-controlled equipment, industrial automation, robotics, sensors, vision systems, or industrial communication networks.
• Experience with CAD software and interpretation of mechanical and electrical drawings.
• Experience with MES, ERP, SCADA, or other manufacturing systems.
• Experience conducting FAT/SAT, equipment qualification, capability studies, and production acceptance.
• Knowledge of applicable machine-safety and equipment standards, including ISO 12100 and related U.S. and international machinery safety requirements.
• Experience supporting manufacturing scale-up, new product introduction (NPI), or greenfield manufacturing operations.
• Project management training or certification is a plus.

Work Authorization: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored visa sponsorship, now or in the future.

Ability to commute/relocate:Fort Mill, SC: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: On-site

Job Type: Full-time

Current benefits include, but are not limited to:

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Life and Disability Insurance
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan administered through Vanguard, allowing eligible employees to contribute pre-tax and/or Roth contributions in accordance with IRS limits. Employees are also eligible for Company matching contributions in accordance with the terms of the plan in effect at the time.

Paid Time Off (PTO): You will accrue Paid Time Off (PTO) annually, prorated based on your start date during your first year of employment. PTO may be used for vacation, personal time, or illness in accordance with Company policy.
Paid Company Holidays in accordance with the Company's annual holiday schedule.
The Company reserves the right to modify, amend, or terminate its benefit plans and programs at any time, consistent with applicable law.

Alpitronic is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Alpitronic provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Alpitronic complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request.