Senior Automation Engineer

General Purpose of the Position:

Design, develop, and implement control and automation solutions to optimize manufacturing, packaging, and quality control processes, ensuring operational continuity, efficiency, safety, and compliance with organizational standards. Lead initiatives for modernization and technological migration of PLC, HMI, robotics, and machine vision systems, ensuring the integration of new technologies, the reliability of critical production lines, and the transfer of technical knowledge that drives continuous business improvement.

Education:

1. Mechatronics, Electronics, Automation Engineering, or related field.

Skills:

• Proficiency in PLCs (Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Omron).
• Knowledge of instrumentation, process control, industrial networks (Ethernet/IP, Profibus).
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics, P&IDs, and process flow diagrams. Possess analytical skills, technical leadership, and effective communication to coordinate with multidisciplinary teams.

Languages:

1. Spanish – English (80%)

Preferential Experience in:

• 5 or more years of experience in industrial automation in food or pharmaceutical environments.
• Proven experience in migrating obsolete equipment, integrating new technologies, and supporting critical production lines.

Desirable Experience in:

• Familiarity with sanitary and food safety standards applicable to the confectionery industry.

Key Functions:

• Optimize production processes through automation to improve efficiency, quality, and safety.
• Perform diagnostics and resolve technical failures in automated systems.
• Collaborate with process engineering, maintenance, and quality to ensure the integration of solutions.
• Provide specialized technical support to multiple manufacturing plants with diverse automation platforms.
• Lead technological modernization initiatives and migration of obsolete control systems to ensure operational continuity.
• Act as a technical reference in automation, promoting best practices and standardization of industrial controls.
• Reduce response times to critical failures through root cause analysis and permanent solutions.
• Drive continuous improvement projects focused on productivity, waste reduction, reliability, and equipment availability.
• Manage technical knowledge and ensure the transfer of capabilities to maintenance and engineering personnel.

Responsibilities:

• Design and implementation of automation solutions for production, mixing, forming, wrapping, and packaging lines.
• Programming, configuration, and maintenance of PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA systems.
• Support and development of applications on Allen Bradley, Siemens, Omron, Rexroth platforms and associated technologies.
• Integration of sensors, actuators, and machine vision systems for quality control, inspection, and traceability.
• Advanced diagnosis and troubleshooting of failures in critical production lines with direct impact on operational continuity.
• Lead migration projects of obsolete equipment and controls to modern and supportable platforms.
• Evaluate technological risks and define update strategies to minimize obsolescence and unplanned downtime.
• Collaborate with process engineering to identify automation and performance improvement opportunities.
• Develop and implement programming, backup, documentation, and recovery standards for control systems.
• Participate in the commissioning, validation, and startup of new automation lines, equipment, and technologies.
• Manage automation projects, including timelines, budgets, cost-benefit analysis, and coordination with external suppliers.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation, electrical diagrams, control architectures, operation manuals, and maintenance procedures.
• Manage backups of programs, configurations, and databases of industrial control systems.
• Train and develop technical and operational personnel in the use, diagnosis, and maintenance of automated systems.
• Provide technical support to the West, North, and Becket plants, as well as strategic support to the rest of the operations when required.
• Coordinate activities with multidisciplinary teams from production, maintenance, quality, engineering, and corporate.
• Perform root cause analysis using structured methodologies and follow up on corrective action plans.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, industrial safety, and applicable corporate standards.
• Identify cost reduction opportunities through improvements in automation, equipment reliability, and resource optimization.
• Monitor performance indicators related to equipment availability, downtime, operational efficiency, and project execution.