Senior Automation Engineer

COMPANY AND ROLE CONTEXT

NxEdge, an Enpro company, provides vertically integrated engineered materials, precision machining, surface technologies, cleaning, coating, and refurbishment solutions supporting the global semiconductor value chain. The Senior Automation Engineer reports to the Engineering Manager and provides hands-on technical ownership of automation design, programming, integration, commissioning, and continuous improvement for semiconductor component manufacturing. The role supports Small Hole Drilling and automated manufacturing systems, connecting equipment controls, robotics, manufacturing software, and production data to improve safety, reliability, quality, and throughput. This senior individual contributor partners with Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, Quality, IT, equipment suppliers, and system integrators to deliver maintainable solutions and disciplined cross-site deployment. 

OVERVIEW 

• Serve as the senior technical resource for equipment automation, controls programming, manufacturing-system integration, and production troubleshooting. 

• Translate manufacturing requirements into scalable automation solutions, controlled software releases, and measurable operating improvements. 

• Support projects from requirements and concept development through testing, commissioning, qualification, training, and sustaining handoff. 

• Promote process consistency and copy-exact discipline across Boise, Singapore, and other NxEdge sites as needed. 

JOB DUTIES 

• Define automation requirements, functional specifications, equipment interfaces, acceptance criteria, project scope, cost estimates, and implementation schedules with cross-functional stakeholders. 

• Design, develop, troubleshoot, and maintain PLC programs using structured logic programming, including IEC 61131-3 Structured Text, ladder logic, function blocks, modular routines, and state-machine sequencing. 

• Develop and maintain HMI and SCADA applications, including operator interfaces, alarms, diagnostics, recipe controls, equipment status, and production data collection. 

• Integrate CNC equipment, robots, material-handling systems, inspection equipment, sensors, and supporting factory systems using defined interfaces and communication protocols. 

• Develop and support equipment-to-system connectivity with manufacturing execution, recipe management, databases, and business systems in partnership with IT and system owners. 

• Lead software testing, factory and site acceptance testing, commissioning, and qualification support; document results and resolve issues before production release. 

• Troubleshoot controls, software, communication, and equipment-sequencing failures; lead root cause analysis and corrective actions using structured methods such as 8D and 5-Whys. 

• Analyze downtime, cycle time, equipment utilization, yield, and recurring faults to prioritize improvements in reliability, throughput, and operating cost. 

• Maintain version-controlled source code, program backups, interface documentation, change history, test records, and recovery procedures; apply approved change-control and rollback practices. 

• Coordinate suppliers and system integrators, review technical deliverables, clarify ownership, and escalate risks affecting safety, quality, cost, or schedule. 

• Partner with qualified safety personnel to review equipment safeguards and validate authorized controls changes before release; follow applicable site safety and lockout/tagout requirements. 

• Coordinate with IT on industrial networking, access control, software deployment, backups, and cybersecurity requirements. 

• Develop training and troubleshooting documentation for engineers, technicians, and operators; support a clear handoff to Operations and Maintenance. 

• Support controlled cross-site replication through common code baselines, configuration management, documentation alignment, and knowledge transfer. 

• Provide technical mentoring and design reviews while demonstrating ownership, sound judgment, and the NxEdge values of Safety, Excellence, and Respect. 

SKILLS, ATTRIBUTES, KNOWLEDGE, AND EXPERIENCE 

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation, Computer Engineering, or related engineering field; master’s degree preferred. 

• Demonstrated progressively responsible experience in industrial automation, equipment controls, and manufacturing-system integration, including independent technical ownership of complex projects. 

• Required hands-on structured logic programming experience, including developing, debugging, and maintaining PLC Structured Text (IEC 61131-3), reusable function blocks, sequence logic, state machines, fault handling, and recovery routines. 

• Proficiency with PLC, HMI, and SCADA development and troubleshooting; ability to read existing programs and implement documented, tested changes. 

• Experience integrating automated equipment, robotics, motion systems, CNC machines, or inspection systems in a production environment. 

• Working proficiency with Visual Studio, C#, .NET, SQL, and relational databases for equipment connectivity, manufacturing applications, and data analysis. 

• Understanding industrial networks, equipment interfaces, electrical drawings, I/O, sensors, and control system diagnostics. 

• Experience with software version control, code reviews, structured testing, backups, release documentation, and configuration management. 

• Ability to manage concurrent projects, develop practical estimates, coordinate suppliers, and communicate technical risks and tradeoffs clearly. 

• Demonstrated structured problem-solving skills, documentation discipline, and ability to translate equipment and production data into actionable improvements. 

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE 

• Semiconductor component manufacturing, high-precision machining, Small Hole Drilling, or comparable automated manufacturing experience. 

• Familiarity with SECS/GEM and SEMI automation standards where applicable to equipment integration. 

• Experience with MES, recipe management, advanced process control, and enterprise automation applications on Windows or Unix platforms; Oracle database familiarity is beneficial. 

• Experience with industrial communication technologies such as OPC UA, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, or equivalent protocols. 

• Experience supporting cross-site deployment, copy-exact manufacturing, controlled equipment changes, and knowledge transfer. 

• Application of continuous improvement methods such as Six Sigma, Kaizen, 8D, and 5-Whys. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

• Work is performed in manufacturing environments, with regular shop-floor engagement during troubleshooting, testing, and commissioning. 

• Requires access to production areas and work around manufacturing equipment, noise, and moving machinery in accordance with site safety requirements. 

• Required personal protective equipment must be worn in designated areas. 

Physical requirements and any lifting expectations should be confirmed with Human Resources based on the essential functions of the role and applicable accommodation practices. 

NxEdge is a subsidiary of Enpro, a leading industrial technology company focused on critical applications across many end-markets, including semiconductor, industrial process, commercial vehicle, sustainable power generation, aerospace, food and pharma, photonics and life sciences. 

At Enpro, we believe that diversity drives innovation and inclusion fosters growth. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. Our employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military service, or any other status protected by applicable law.  If you require accommodation due to a disability at any time during the recruitment and/or assessment process, please contact Human Resources, and we will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate your request.