Manufacturing Engineer

Department: Engineering

Location: Columbia, PA - Plant

Description Reliable Safety & Flow Corporation is looking for a Manufacturing Engineer – Automation to help drive the next stage of automation on our production floor. This role goes beyond reactive troubleshooting: you will identify automation opportunities, build the business case, and lead projects through to a running cell, whether by managing an external integrator or by leading an internal team.

Our environment is dynamic and fast-paced. One day you may be commissioning a new robotic cell, and the next you may be troubleshooting a PLC fault or a gripper issue. If you enjoy variety and ownership, this role is a great fit.

How You Will Help Automation & Capital Projects

• Lead capital projects from concept through installation and startup, including scope, budget, schedule, and status reporting to management.
• Identify automation and semi-automation opportunities and prepare cost/benefit and ROI justifications for capital requests.
• Manage external integrators and vendors, including writing specifications, evaluating quotes, leading design reviews, and running factory and site acceptance testing (FAT/SAT).
• Lead internal teams in the design, build, programming, and commissioning of automated cells, fixtures, and end-of-arm tooling (EOAT).
• Apply flexible automation, such as Universal Robots UR5 collaborative robots, vision, and quick-change tooling, so cells can adapt to changing product mix and volumes.
• Support material handling automation, including upcoming AGV/AMR projects: define routes and workflows, coordinate with vendors, and integrate vehicles with cells and production equipment.
• Hand off new equipment successfully, with operator and maintenance training, documentation, and a spare parts plan.

Equipment Support & Troubleshooting

• Troubleshoot a wide range of equipment, including CNC machines, robotic cells, and other automated systems, and drive root cause corrective actions.
• Diagnose controls and robotics issues, including Allen-Bradley/Rockwell PLC and HMI logic, sensors, safety circuits, robot faults, and gripper/EOAT problems.
• Partner with maintenance to improve preventive maintenance and coordinate repairs and service providers to maximize uptime.

Machine Monitoring & Data

• Help select our machine monitoring platform: evaluate options, define requirements with Operations, Maintenance, and IT, and recommend one platform that works across both our CNC machines and our legacy tapping equipment.
• Lead the rollout, including connecting CNC machines, robots, and PLC-controlled equipment, retrofitting older tapping machines with sensors or I/O where they have no built-in data connection, setting up downtime reason codes, and building dashboards that operators and leadership will actually use.
• Use real-time machine data to find bottlenecks, reduce downtime, and decide where automation will have the biggest payoff.

Continuous Improvement

• Track and report downtime, scrap, OEE, and cycle time, and turn the data into prioritized improvement projects.
• Plan workflow, layouts, and equipment placement to improve efficiency and material flow.
• Work with Quality to improve processes and add error-proofing where it makes sense.
• Ensure equipment and processes meet OSHA, machine safety, and other regulatory requirements, including risk assessments on new equipment.

What You Will Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, mechanical, electrical, mechatronics, or related engineering field
• 3-5+ years of experience with CNC, robotics, and automated systems
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting Allen-Bradley/Rockwell PLCs and HMIs
• Experience programming and troubleshooting collaborative robots, specifically Universal Robots UR5s, as well as industrial robots (e.g., FANUC, ABB)
• Working knowledge of grippers and EOAT, pneumatics, sensors, and machine safety systems
• Experience leading at least one automation or capital project from concept through launch, with an integrator or an internal team
• Ability to read electrical schematics and mechanical drawings
• Project management skills, including managing scope, schedule, budget, and vendors
• Strong problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills, and the ability to work well under pressure

Preferred

• Experience selecting or implementing a machine monitoring / OEE platform such as MachineMetrics or Ignition, including connecting both CNC machines (e.g., via MTConnect) and legacy equipment
• Machine vision experience (e.g., Cognex, Keyence)
• 3D CAD experience (SolidWorks or similar) for fixtures, EOAT, and layouts
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma training
• Experience with AGVs or AMRs for material handling
• Experience in a high-mix manufacturing environment