Process Automation Engineer

The Process Automation Engineer role focuses on designing, implementing, and refining automated manufacturing and process-control solutions for advanced ceramic production. This hands-on position aims to enhance process capability, equipment performance, product quality, and operational efficiency through automation, monitoring, data analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement automation and process-control systems for ceramic manufacturing stages including powder preparation, sintering, grinding, lapping, and polishing, with ongoing optimization of these processes.
• Establish and continuously improve process control strategies, automation standards, and operating parameters to ensure product quality, yield, and throughput.
• Lead process automation projects from concept through validation, start-up, and handoff to operations.
• Develop and support PLC, HMI, SCADA, and industrial communication systems to improve equipment reliability, process visibility, and traceability.
• Integrate manufacturing equipment with production data systems and digital manufacturing tools to support operational performance and decision-making.
• Apply Statistical Process Control (SPC), process capability analysis, and data analytics to drive improvements and reduce variation.
• Troubleshoot and optimize manufacturing equipment, control systems, and processes to improve uptime, productivity, and overall equipment effectiveness.
• Collaborate with Engineering, R&D, Production, Quality, Maintenance, and IT teams to evaluate and deploy new technologies and manufacturing solutions.
• Support equipment commissioning, validation, and continuous improvement activities.
• Ensure all automation and process improvement activities comply with applicable safety, quality, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 3–7+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, process engineering, automation engineering, or industrial automation within a production environment.
• Experience with PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, industrial networking, and process control technologies.
• Experience applying SPC, process capability analysis, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience using manufacturing and data analysis tools such as Minitab, JMP, Power BI, or equivalent.
• Familiarity with Industry 4.0 concepts, manufacturing data systems, equipment connectivity, MES, SQL databases, OPC UA, MQTT, or similar technologies is preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership with a track record of influencing colleagues, peers, and cross-functional teams to achieve goals and drive decision-making without formal authority.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills with a data-driven mindset.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a hands-on manufacturing environment requiring regular presence on the production floor.

Technologies

• PLCs
• HMIs
• SCADA systems
• Power BI
• Minitab
• JMP
• SQL databases
• OPC UA
• MQTT
• MES

Benefits

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location

Chandler, AZ (onsite)

Application Questions

• Do you have hands-on experience with powder preparation, sintering, grinding, or lapping and polishing processes? If yes, please specify the areas.
• Are you experienced with PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, and process control technologies?
• Have you used manufacturing data analysis tools such as Minitab, JMP, or Power BI?
• Please indicate your compensation expectations.