Sr. Automation Engineer

CH01 CHE Fresenius Medical Care (Schweiz) AG; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Fresenius Medical Care in Knoxville seeks a plant automation and process engineering professional to lead PLC programming, troubleshooting, and equipment integration across departments. You will assess supplier capabilities, execute validation protocols, and coordinate with vendors to ensure compliant production.

A Bachelor's degree with 5+ years in a regulated medical device or manufacturing context is required, plus hands-on Siemens PLCs, Profibus, SEW drives, and robotics experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree a plus.
• Minimum 5 years in medical device or regulated manufacturing.
• Strong problem solving, scheduling, and prioritization skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead PLC/automation development and troubleshooting across plant departments.
• Assess supplier capabilities and manage vendor relationships.
• Prepare process validation protocols and document results.
• Coordinate with planning, tooling, and maintenance for efficient production.
• Mentor staff and ensure compliance with policies and regulations.

Skills

PLC programming

Automation development

Troubleshooting

Vendor coordination

Robotics integration

Cross-functional teamwork

Problem solving

Project management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Advanced degree a plus

Tools

Siemens PLC

Profibus

SEW Drives

EPSON/Fanuc/ABB robots

Job description

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

Provides plant automation and process engineering support. Provides engineering efforts from inception through production in new and existing product design and manufacturing systems development.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Conducts Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)/automation development and troubling shooting supporting all plant departments. Understands manufacturing, mechanical, electrical, computer, etc. engineering principles with experience in software engineering. Creates acceptance criteria and conduct acceptance tests. Conducts assessment of existing and new supplier capabilities. Prepares process validation protocols, execute, and document results. Interacts and manages vendors concerning parts or equipment they supply or propose to supply. Experienced Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) manufacturing programmer. Processes, develops tests, analyzes data, and makes recommendations. Manages multiple projects in a manufacturing environment from maintenance of existing machines to specifying, purchasing, and set up of new equipment. Performs investigations relating to manufacturing deviations and anomalies associated with automation and software. Interface with planning, tooling, and maintenance departments to optimize and ensure efficient production. Confer with vendors to determine product specifications and arrange for purchase of equipment, materials or parts, and evaluate products according to specifications and quality standards.v Maintain general housekeeping of working area and plant. May provide assistance to junior level staff with more complex tasks that require a higher level of understanding of functions. May elevate issues to supervisor/manager for resolution, as deemed necessary. Mentor other staff as applicable. Review and comply with the Code of Business Conduct and all applicable company policies and procedures, local, state and federal laws and regulations. Assist with various projects as assigned by a direct supervisor. Other duties as assigned. Additional responsibilities may include focus on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department or location specific functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception and corrected 20/20 vision. Regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Personal protective equipment for hearing is required.

EXPERIENCE AND REQUIRED SKILLS

Bachelor's Degree required, advanced degree a plus. Minimum 5 years' related experience Medical device industry experience or other regulatory industry preferred. Able to work independently or with a team to complete projects on time and within budget. Strong problem solving, scheduling and prioritizing skills, self-motivated and directed. Progressively thinking outside the box is pivotal to this position. With proven ability to lead and motivate from both a development team as well as users and operators. Experience with Lean manufacturing and six sigma methodologies, philosophies, tools, and methods. Experience working with automated equipment. Experience on SIEMENS PLC Experience on Profibus Network Experience on PLC Analyzer Experience on SEW Drives (MOVIDRIVE) Hands on experience on EPSON and/or Fanuc robots Hands on experience on ABB Robots Strong oral and written communication skills. Proficient with PCs and Microsoft Office applications. Fresenius Medical Care maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. Fresenius Medical Care is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, national origin, age, disability, military service or other non-merit-based factors Creating a future worth living. For patients. Worldwide. Every day. Fresenius Medical Care is the world's leading provider of products and services for individuals with kidney disease of which approximately 4.5 million patients worldwide regularly undergo dialysis treatment. United by a shared purpose of creating a future worth living for chronically and critically ill people, we care for around 292,000 dialysis patients around the globe. In addition, we operate around 35 global production sites to provide products such as dialysis machines, dialyzers, and related disposables. We aim to continuously improve our patients' quality of life by offering them high-quality products as well as innovative technologies and treatment concepts.