Senior Engineer

Advanced Recruiting Partners; Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point (NC, NC, NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Advanced Recruiting Partners seeks a Senior Equipment & Automation Engineer to support a modern production facility. The role drives equipment design, process automation, quality systems, and leads projects from concept to implementation.

The candidate will manage capital projects across manufacturing, packaging, material handling, and warehouse automation, ensuring safety, on-time delivery, and budget adherence.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of engineering experience in manufacturing, process engineering, automation, packaging, or related disciplines.
• Experience in regulated industries such as food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, consumer products, life sciences, nutraceuticals, or medical devices.
• Experience managing equipment installations, process improvements, and capital projects.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering discipline.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, and Safety teams to identify and implement process improvements and quality enhancements.
• Evaluate and deploy advanced inspection technologies and measurement systems.
• Lead automation initiatives utilizing robotics, AGVs, AMRs, and intelligent warehouse tech.
• Develop solutions to improve safety, quality, productivity, and operational performance.
• Manage equipment and process projects through design, procurement, installation, startup, commissioning, and handoff.
• Create project scopes, budgets, schedules, resource plans, and risk assessments while monitoring execution.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external vendors to ensure systems meet performance and compliance requirements.
• Troubleshoot equipment, process, and material-related issues to optimize reliability and efficiency.
• Design and execute equipment trials, process evaluations, and performance studies for new products and improvements.
• Support validation and qualification activities (FAT, SAT, IQ, OQ, PQ).
• Develop and maintain SOPs, engineering specifications, and technical documentation.
• Establish engineering standards and best practices based on lessons learned.

Skills

Manufacturing equipment

Industrial automation

Robotics

Project management

Quality assurance systems

Regulatory compliance

Process control technologies

Budgeting & scheduling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

We are seeking a Senior Equipment & Automation Engineer to support manufacturing operations at a modern production facility. This role is responsible for driving innovation in equipment design, process automation, and quality systems while leading engineering projects from concept through implementation. The successful candidate will manage capital projects involving manufacturing, packaging, material handling, and warehouse automation systems, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on schedule, and within budget.

This position will collaborate with cross‑functional teams to improve operational efficiency, product quality, equipment reliability, and workplace safety through the application of advanced manufacturing technologies and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, and Safety teams to identify and implement process improvements and quality enhancement opportunities.
• Evaluate and deploy advanced inspection technologies, including vision systems, X-ray inspection, metal detection, check weighing, and laser‑based measurement systems.
• Lead automation initiatives utilizing robotics, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and intelligent warehouse technologies.
• Develop engineering solutions that improve safety, quality, productivity, and operational performance.
• Manage equipment and process projects through design, procurement, installation, startup, commissioning, and operational handoff.
• Create project scopes, budgets, schedules, resource plans, and risk assessments while monitoring overall project execution.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external vendors to ensure manufacturing systems consistently meet performance and compliance requirements.
• Troubleshoot equipment, process, and material‑related issues to optimize reliability and efficiency.
• Design and execute equipment trials, process evaluations, and performance studies to support new product launches and continuous improvement efforts.
• Support validation and qualification activities, including Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), and Performance Qualification (PQ).
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), engineering specifications, and technical documentation.
• Establish engineering standards and best practices based on lessons learned and project outcomes.
• Provide project updates, technical recommendations, and presentations to leadership and stakeholders.
• Manage contractor and vendor performance to ensure project objectives are achieved.

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of manufacturing equipment, processing systems, and packaging operations.
• Experience with industrial automation, robotics, material handling systems, and process control technologies.
• Knowledge of product inspection and quality assurance systems, including vision inspection, X-ray, metal detection, and check weighing technologies.
• Strong project management capabilities, including budgeting, scheduling, contractor management, procurement, and resource planning.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving skills.
• Effective communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence cross‑functional teams.
• Working knowledge of GMP‑regulated manufacturing environments and industry compliance requirements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and engineering project management tools.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of engineering experience in manufacturing, process engineering, automation, packaging, or related disciplines.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a regulated industry such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, consumer products, life sciences, nutraceuticals, or medical devices.
• Experience managing equipment installations, process improvements, and capital projects.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with a demonstrated ability to improve equipment performance and operational efficiency.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Food Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience implementing Industry 4.0 technologies and smart manufacturing solutions.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience supporting large‑scale automation, warehouse modernization, or production expansion projects.
• Familiarity with equipment validation, commissioning, and qualification in regulated manufacturing environments.