Senior, Automation Engineer

Posted Yesterday
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East Providence, RI, USA
In-Office
Senior level
Industrial • Manufacturing
The Role
Lead design, implementation, and support of automated manufacturing systems. Own automation projects from concept to production, perform mechanical/electrical design, PLC and robot programming, machine vision integration, troubleshooting, reliability improvements, FAT/SAT and commissioning, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Summary Generated by Built In

Nordson EFD, a global leader in Engineered Fluid Dispensing, is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we are looking for candidates who share that same commitment.

Summary of the role

As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment, where your ideas and contributions will be valued and respected.

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Engineer, Automation is a hands-on technical leader responsible for designing, implementing, and supporting automated manufacturing systems. This role requires strong mechanical, electrical, and controls engineering aptitude, with direct ownership of equipment performance, reliability, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Automation System Design & Ownership

  • Lead the design, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of automated manufacturing equipment, fixtures, and assembly processes.
  • Serve as the technical owner for automation systems from concept through sustained production.
  • Ensure automation solutions are robust, scalable, safe, and aligned with manufacturing requirements.
  • Act as the escalation point for complex technical issues impacting equipment performance and uptime.

Mechanical Engineering & Machine Design

  • Design and modify mechanical systems including mechanisms, tooling, fixtures, and machine assemblies using SolidWorks.
  • Improve machine reliability, ergonomics, throughput, and serviceability through thoughtful mechanical design.
  • Redesign or modify components and systems to address chronic reliability, quality, or safety issues.
  • Support Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Automation (DFA) initiatives.

#LI-NS1

Electrical & Controls Engineering

  • Design, specify, and troubleshoot electrical control systems including control panels, wiring schematics, sensors, actuators, motion devices, and safety components.
  • Develop, program, and debug PLC-based control systems (e.g., Allen‑Bradley, Omron), including I/O, sequencing, motion control, and safety logic.
  • Configure and support HMI systems, ensuring intuitive operator interfaces, alarms, diagnostics, and system visibility.
  • Ensure electrical designs and implementations comply with applicable UL, CE, and internal standards.

Robotics, Vision, and Advanced Automation

  • Program, integrate, and troubleshoot industrial robots (e.g., ABB, Fanuc), including motion optimization and end‑of‑arm tooling.
  • Implement and maintain machine vision systems (e.g., Cognex, Keyence) for inspection, alignment, and process verification.
  • Integrate robotics, vision, motion, and PLC systems into cohesive, reliable automation solutions.

Troubleshooting, Reliability & Production Support

  • Diagnose and resolve complex electromechanical system issues on live production equipment.
  • Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for chronic downtime or performance losses.
  • Establish preventive maintenance strategies, spare parts lists, and reliability improvements to maximize uptime.
  • Provide hands-on support during equipment startups, ramp-ups, and sustained production.

Capital Equipment & Project Execution

  • Lead all aspects of capital equipment projects, including requirements definition, vendor selection, design reviews, and technical approvals.
  • Manage FAT/SAT, installation, commissioning, validation, and production handoff.
  • Prepare detailed cost justifications, ROI analyses, and capital expenditure requests.
  • Coordinate internal and external resources to deliver projects on time and within budget.

All other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

  • Bachelor's degree in relevant engineering discipline preferred.
  • 7+ years of experience in a fast-paced automation field.
  • Vision System programming (e.g., Cognex, Keyence)
  • Programming Logic Controllers (PLC) (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Omron)
  • Diagnostics/troubleshooting control system issues
  • Robot programming (e.g., ABB, Fanuc)

SKILLS & ABILITIES

  • Proficient in Design/Drafting Tools AutoCAD and SolidWorks
  • Configuring and designing HMI systems (e.g., Allen Bradley. PC)
  • Familiar with Industry Standards UL and CE
  • Familiar with various Motion Controllers/Actuators
  • Proven success in progress and change
  • Advanced Electromechanical Skills
  • Fluent in 3D modeling of parts, mechanisms, and assemblies
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Advanced Knowledge of Microsoft office products including Project, and Excel
  • Ability to multitask and work effectively in a fast-paced environment under tight deadlines.
  • Ability to effectively present ideas and concepts to top management and to implement ideas that improve the process.
  • Six Sigma Certification, Black Belt preferred

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Office, lab & manufacturing environment. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

TRAVEL REQUIRED

  Minimal

Interested?

If you are interested in being a part of a team and creating an inclusive and diverse workplace, please apply online with your CV.

About Nordson EFD

Nordson EFD is a world-leading designer and manufacturer of fluid dispensing systems and single-use fluid packaging. By joining our team today, you will help us bring innovative ideas to life. Nordson EFD is a global team that works to create systems and consumables that improve the fluid dispensing process. We offer a supportive culture in a growing and dynamic work environment. Whether you're just beginning your career or you're a seasoned professional, there's a place for you to belong at Nordson EFD. We offer hourly and salary positions in production, maintenance, customer service, quality, engineering, and more. We actively invest in our teams to help you build your skillsets and advance your career.

Skills Required

  • Bachelor's degree in relevant engineering discipline
  • 7+ years experience in automation or fast-paced automation field
  • Vision system programming (Cognex, Keyence)
  • PLC programming and debugging (Allen-Bradley, Omron)
  • Robot programming and integration (ABB, Fanuc)
  • Diagnostics and troubleshooting of control systems and electromechanical equipment
  • Proficient in SolidWorks and AutoCAD
  • Configuring and designing HMI systems
  • Familiarity with UL and CE standards
  • Experience with motion controllers and actuators
  • Advanced electromechanical skills and 3D modeling of parts and assemblies
  • Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office including Project and Excel
  • Six Sigma certification, Black Belt

Nordson Corporation Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Nordson Corporation and has not been reviewed or approved by Nordson Corporation.

  • Retirement Support The 401(k) features automatic enrollment at 6%, a 50% match on up to 6% of pay, and an additional 3% company contribution for eligible U.S. employees even without employee contributions. Feedback suggests this retirement structure is above what many mid-size manufacturers offer.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth Paid holidays and a typical year-end shutdown between Christmas and New Year’s at many U.S. locations expand time off beyond standard PTO. Feedback suggests this shutdown is a distinctive work-life perk, though availability can vary by site or business unit.
  • Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits Volunteer release time and a 3:1 charitable gift-matching program are offered alongside recognition programs, tuition assistance, and community initiatives. Feedback suggests these elements add value beyond core insurance and PTO.

Nordson Corporation Insights

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The Company
HQ: Westlake, OH
2,445 Employees
Year Founded: 1954

What We Do

Nordson is a team of 7,300 global employees thriving in an environment where they are supported and encouraged to be their best. Working side by side, we build meaningful connections with each other and our customers. Together, we deliver products that are solutions, and they’re likely touching your life every day. Have you ever changed a diaper? Opened a box of cereal? Used a smart phone or driven a car? Then we’ve already met. At Nordson, we take pride in being an outstanding corporate citizen and strongly believe in sharing our success with the communities where our employees live and work. Whether you’re working in one of our labs, offices or manufacturing facilities, your efforts will enable our customers to succeed and our company to continuously improve and grow. We engineer, manufacture and market differentiated products and systems used for precision dispensing and processing in a variety of end markets, from packaging to transportation and medical to electronics. Founded in 1954, we operate under the values of integrity, respect for people, customer passion, energy and excellence. Nordson is headquartered in the United States in Westlake, Ohio, and has direct operations in more than 30 countries to support our products and systems with application expertise and a direct global sales and service organization

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