Automation Engineer

About Us

HR On Demand (HROD) is a Texas-based, full-service HR partner that supports global companies in establishing and growing their U.S. operations. We deliver end-to-end HR solutions, including talent acquisition, payroll, compliance, employee relations, and organizational development. Drawing on Fortune 500 HR leadership experience, we help businesses build compliant, high-performing teams and navigate the U.S. market with confidence.

We are recruiting for this position on behalf of our client, a leader in robotics and intelligent optical systems.

About the Role

The Backend Module Engineer / Automation Engineer owns the automated backend assembly line for the client's optical module products. The role combines product understanding with hands-on automation expertise: setting up and integrating customized robotic automation stations, maintaining station control and production software, and leading maintenance so the line delivers consistent quality and uptime.

The ideal candidate has 2+ years of experience on automated production lines, has hands-on robotic automation and station control software experience, and brings familiarity with optics or optical module manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

Product & Process Understanding

• Understand the optical module product, its build sequence and critical-to-quality characteristics.
• Translate product requirements into automation line settings, recipes and process parameters.
• Support new product introductions (NPI) and the transition to volume production.

Automation Line & Control Systems

• Operate, monitor and optimize the backend line of customized robotic automation stations.
• Troubleshoot robots and control systems, including PLCs, sensors, motion control, vision and HMIs.
• Improve line throughput, yield and uptime through data-driven changes.

Station Control Software, Integration & MES

• Set up, configure and maintain station control and production software for the robotic automation stations.
• Integrate production stations so equipment, data and handoffs work together as one line.
• Support MES connectivity between stations and production systems; maintain program versions, recipes and backups with IT/MES.

Equipment Setup & Maintenance

• Lead installation, setup and qualification of new automation equipment.
• Build and run preventive maintenance plans; handle corrective maintenance and spare parts planning.
• Track downtime and drive root cause analysis and corrective actions on recurring issues.

Documentation & Collaboration

• Write setup procedures, maintenance instructions and troubleshooting guides; train technicians and operators.
• Partner with Process, Test and Quality teams to resolve product and line issues.
• Work with equipment vendors on support, upgrades and escalations.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Automation or a related engineering field
• 2+ years of experience as an automation, equipment or backend manufacturing engineer
• Hands-on experience with robotic automation and station control software
• Experience integrating production stations and connecting them to MES
• Solid understanding of automation lines and control systems (PLCs, motion, vision, HMI)
• Proven experience handling equipment setup and preventive/corrective maintenance
• Strong troubleshooting skills and comfort working onsite on the production floor

Preferred

• Familiarity with optics or optical module/transceiver manufacturing
• Backend assembly experience (die attach, wire bonding, lens alignment or packaging)
• Experience with production data analysis and line performance metrics