Job Title: Senior Automation Engineer
Location: Shakopee, MN
Industry: Manufacturing / Automation / Fiber Optics
Detailed Job Description:
We are seeking a Senior Automation Engineer to support the design and development of custom automation equipment used in a high-volume manufacturing environment. This is a hands-on engineering role focused on improving quality, increasing capacity, and reducing manufacturing costs through innovative equipment and tooling solutions.
The right candidate will bring strong experience in custom machine design, automation equipment development, and cross-functional collaboration across mechanical, controls, electrical, software, and manufacturing teams. This position is based onsite in Shakopee, MN and will support both local and global manufacturing operations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the design and development of custom automation equipment and tooling for manufacturing applications
- Conduct feasibility studies, cost analysis, and risk assessments for new automation projects
- Develop machine concepts to improve product quality, reduce cycle time, and lower operating cost
- Support new equipment development through brainstorming, prototyping, bench testing, and feasibility trials
- Design mechanical systems with a focus on manufacturability, ease of assembly, maintainability, and operator usability
- Work closely with manufacturing teams to understand process constraints and identify automation opportunities
- Collaborate with controls, electrical, software, and production teams to integrate equipment into manufacturing operations
- Create complete engineering documentation packages including drawings, BOMs, assembly instructions, and maintenance guidelines
- Select and specify commercial components such as actuators, pneumatics, sensors, and related automation hardware
- Participate in hands-on assembly, setup, calibration, testing, process development, and equipment qualification
- Lead design reviews and provide technical guidance to junior engineers
- Manage project timelines, budgets, and deliverables from concept through commissioning
- Analyze process and performance data using tools such as Excel or Minitab to support development and qualification
- Ensure designs meet safety requirements, engineering standards, and company policies
- Travel to manufacturing sites as needed to support project intake, development, installation, and deployment
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline
- 8+ years of experience in automation engineering, mechanical engineering, or custom equipment design
- Strong proficiency with SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD tools
- Proven background designing custom automated equipment for a manufacturing environment
- Experience working with PLCs, HMIs, and industrial control systems
- Ability to work directly with automation equipment during build, debug, testing, and qualification
- Strong project ownership and ability to lead work from design through commissioning
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work across global, cross-functional teams
- Ability to travel up to 15%
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with PTC Creo
- Strong knowledge of GD&T and tolerance analysis
- Experience in manufacturing operations or production engineering
- Familiarity with SolidWorks PDM or other CAD data management tools
- Experience with new process development and equipment qualification
- Exposure to emerging technologies including AI-enabled engineering tools
Key Skills:
- Senior Automation Engineer
- Automation Equipment Design
- Custom Machine Design
- Mechanical Design
- Manufacturing Engineering
- SolidWorks
- PLC
- HMI
- Industrial Automation
- Tooling Design
- Equipment Qualification
- Process Improvement
- Fiber Optics
- Shakopee, MN
Additional Information:
- This is an onsite role based in Shakopee, MN
- Candidates should be comfortable working in a hands-on manufacturing environment
- Experience supporting complex automated equipment in production settings is highly preferred
GCS is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.
Senior Automation Engineer
Chaska
Contract
Other similar jobs
Popular job searches
Your next job
starts here.
JOB SPECIALISMS
LATEST JOBS
TOP SEARCHES
LOCATIONS
- IT Support & Infrastructure
- Project Management
- Software Development
- Manufacturing & Production
- BI & Data Analytics
- Engineering Technology
- Engineering
- .NET/C#
- Controls & Automation
- Cyber
- Network security consultant
- Python developer
LATEST JOBS
- Controls Engineer
- Python Developer
- Network Engineer
- Cloud Security Engineer - Cont...
- Marketing Representative
- Head of Sales
- C# Developer Role - Hybrid - B...
- Information Security Programme...
- Business Development
- Customer Engagement Manager
- Account Manager
- Senior / Lead Consultant
TOP SEARCHES
LOCATIONS
- Engineer
- Data Scientist
- Senior Data Scientist
- Head of Data Science
- Trainee Data Scientist
- Data Science Graduate
- Senior Financial Accountant
- Management Accountant
- Cost Accountant
- Civil Engineer
- Senior Civil Engineer
- Civil Design Engineer