Senior Mechatronics & Automation Engineer

Haldex; Marion (NC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

SAF-HOLLAND, Inc. is seeking a Mechatronics Engineer to provide multi-site technical leadership across Remanufacturing and Friction operations, overseeing maintenance, driving reliability improvements, and leading modernization with AI-enabled manufacturing solutions.

The role emphasizes hands-on problem solving, safety, and code-compliant automation across sites. Responsibilities include PLC/HMI development, robotics integration, IT/OT data strategies, and ROI-driven digital projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Controls Engineering, or related field; equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing maintenance/engineering with hands-on troubleshooting of industrial equipment and controls.
• Demonstrated experience with PLC troubleshooting/programming and industrial controls systems.
• Experience with HMI configuration and machine interface design.
• Robotics troubleshooting/programming and automation integration.
• Electrical/mechanical fault isolation and machine functionality.
• Proven ability to lead multi-site priorities, influence without direct authority, and drive standardization.
• Strong project management skills, vendor management, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Experience in remanufacturing, friction materials, machining, assembly, or similar industrial environments.
• Experience with vision systems, MES/SCADA/historian data collection, and OEE analytics.
• Working knowledge of functional safety concepts (risk assessment, safety relays/PLCs, validation).
• Experience implementing predictive maintenance technologies (vibration, thermal, oil analysis, current signature, etc.).
• Familiarity with AI/ML use cases in manufacturing (quality inspection, anomaly detection, predictive modeling) including pilot-to-scale implementation.

Responsibilities

• Provide functional oversight and technical direction for the maintenance function across multiple facilities, ensuring safe, consistent, and effective maintenance execution.
• Establish/standardize maintenance best practices (PM optimization, lubrication standards, critical spares, work order discipline, troubleshooting guides, and maintenance KPIs).
• Lead and/or support the development of reliability programs including RCM, failure mode analysis (FMEA), root cause analysis (RCA), and long‑term corrective actions.
• Drive measurable reductions in unplanned downtime through systematic problem solving and equipment reliability improvements.
• Support maintenance staffing development through coaching, technical training plans, troubleshooting mentoring, and skills matrix development.
• Troubleshoot and optimize machine controls: PLCs (Allen‑Bradley/Siemens/etc.), HMIs (FactoryTalk/WinCC/etc.), servos, VFDs, safety circuits, sensors, I/O, and industrial communications (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus, etc.).
• Develop/modify PLC logic, HMI screens, interlocks, alarms, and data collection routines to improve safety, uptime, ergonomics, and throughput.
• Support robotics programming/troubleshooting (Fanuc/ABB/Yaskawa/etc.) including end‑of‑arm tooling, vision integration, path optimization, and safety validation.
• Collaborate with EHS and operations to ensure machine safeguarding, LOTO compliance, and functional safety alignment.
• Identify opportunities and lead projects that apply AI/advanced analytics to manufacturing and maintenance (examples: predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, machine vision quality inspection, scrap reduction modeling, automated parameter optimization, OEE analytics).
• Work with IT/OT stakeholders to enable secure data collection from machines and sensors (edge devices, historians, SCADA/MES interfaces), defining data requirements and ensuring cybersecurity and network segmentation best practices.
• Pilot, implement, and scale successful digital solutions across sites with a clear ROI case and change management plan.
• Lead equipment upgrades, automation retrofits, and new machine installations from concept to commissioning‑scope, budget, risk, timeline, vendor management, FAT/SAT, and training.
• Develop technical specifications, URS, and standards for controls, automation, and maintainability.
• Manage integrators and vendors‑ensuring documentation, as‑built drawings, code backups, and training are delivered and maintained.
• Partner with site leaders to improve throughput, quality, and cost using structured CI methods (standard work, 5S, waste reduction, constraint analysis).
• Provide on‑floor support for production issues, recurring breakdowns, and process instability, ensuring fast containment and long‑term correction.
• Maintain an “equipment ownership mindset” across sites‑creating consistent reliability expectations and accountability.
• Maintain complete documentation: electrical schematics, control narratives, PLC/HMI versions, change logs, spare parts lists, and calibration/verification records as applicable.
• Ensure compliance with applicable standards (OSHA, NFPA 70/70E, ISO standards where applicable, site policies, and internal engineering standards).
• Acts as a good steward of the Company’s resources and exemplifies the values of the Company.
• Ensures personal and departmental compliance with all Company policies, procedures, values, ethics, and rules, taking appropriate corrective steps as necessary.
• Maintains and promotes a safe work environment through ownership of Company safety program. This includes following and enforcing all safety rules/regulations and proper operating procedures, as well as the proper use of prescribed safety equipment pertinent to the department and immediately reporting all accidents/incidents to supervisor and Human Resources.
• Supports and enforces the Company’s equal employment opportunity and affirmative action policy and actions, immediately reporting violations to the supervisor and the Human Resources representative.
• Ensures that personal conduct and work area is free from any form of harassment (sexual, racial, religious, etc.), immediately reporting violations to supervisor and the Human Resources representative.
• Supports Company's quality and environmental policies and programs and ensures programs' requirements specified for positions within the department are met; meeting quality/environment requirements specified by production drawings, bills of material, control plans, policies, work instructions, and procedures.
• Ensures that self and all employees actively participate in and successfully complete appropriate training (on‑the‑job, classroom, etc.) and that all training provided is evaluated and that proper documentation is provided for accurate maintenance of the employee's training record (i.e. Training Completed/Evaluation Form).
• Maintains frequent, regular two‑way communication with employees to provide information on the state of the business and their performance, establishing an environment of trust.
• Meets with employees regularly to discuss their performance, with formal written performance reviews completed at least annually using the employee's job description as a basis for appraisal.
• Meets with supervisor at least once per year to review job performance using this job description as a basis for appraisal.
• Maintains complete security and confidentiality of all Company records and employee data.
• Maintains a clean, orderly and professional work environment.
• Performs other miscellaneous duties as may be assigned.

Job description

SAF-HOLLAND, Inc. is seeking a Mechatronics Engineer to provide multi-site technical leadership across Remanufacturing and Friction operations, overseeing maintenance, driving reliability improvements, and leading modernization with AI-enabled manufacturing solutions.

The role emphasizes hands-on problem solving, safety, and code-compliant automation across sites. Responsibilities include PLC/HMI development, robotics integration, IT/OT data strategies, and ROI-driven digital projects.