Mechatronics Engineer

Summary

The Mechatronics Engineer provides multi-site technical leadership across Remanufacturing and Friction operations with direct functional oversight of the maintenance function and responsibility for improving equipment reliability, automation capability, and manufacturing performance. This role serves as a hands-on engineering leader and problem solver-deeply knowledgeable in industrial maintenance, machine functionality, robotics, PLC programming, HMI interfaces, sensors/controls, and industrial networking. The Mechatronics Engineer will lead modernization efforts, including automation projects and the evaluation/implementation of AI-enabled manufacturing solutions (e.g., predictive maintenance, quality analytics, vision systems, and process optimization), while partnering closely with site leadership to establish consistent standards, downtime reduction plans, and preventive/predictive maintenance excellence.

As an employee of SAF-HOLLAND, Inc., you are expected to demonstrate our core values: Safety, Respect, Reliability, Innovation, and Responsibility. Employees are also expected to engage in results-driven continuous improvement and apply the principles of the SAF-HOLLAND Way with purpose.

Essential Duties & ResponsibilitiesDuties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. It is expected that each of the duties listed below will be performed to the highest standards of quality, while striving for maximum customer satisfaction, and continually looking for ways to improve the methods, practices and procedures within the area. Further, a positive work atmosphere must, also, be promoted through professional and effective conduct and communications with customers, clients, suppliers, and employees.

Maintenance & Reliability Leadership (Multi-Site)

• Provide functional oversight and technical direction for the maintenance function across multiple facilities, ensuring safe, consistent, and effective maintenance execution.
• Establish/standardize maintenance best practices (PM optimization, lubrication standards, critical spares, work order discipline, troubleshooting guides, and maintenance KPIs).
• Lead and/or support the development of reliability programs including RCM, failure mode analysis (FMEA), root cause analysis (RCA), and long-term corrective actions.
• Drive measurable reductions in unplanned downtime through systematic problem solving and equipment reliability improvements.
• Support maintenance staffing development through coaching, technical training plans, troubleshooting mentoring, and skills matrix development.

Controls, PLC/HMI, Robotics & Industrial Automation

• Troubleshoot and optimize machine controls: PLCs (Allen-Bradley/Siemens/etc.), HMIs (FactoryTalk/WinCC/etc.), servos, VFDs, safety circuits, sensors, I/O, and industrial communications (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus, etc.).
• Develop/modify PLC logic, HMI screens, interlocks, alarms, and data collection routines to improve safety, uptime, ergonomics, and throughput.
• Support robotics programming/troubleshooting (Fanuc/ABB/Yaskawa/etc.) including end-of-arm tooling, vision integration, path optimization, and safety validation.
• Collaborate with EHS and operations to ensure machine safeguarding, LOTO compliance, and functional safety alignment.

AI & Digital Manufacturing Enablement

• Identify opportunities and lead projects that apply AI/advanced analytics to manufacturing and maintenance (examples: predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, machine vision quality inspection, scrap reduction modeling, automated parameter optimization, OEE analytics).
• Work with IT/OT stakeholders to enable secure data collection from machines and sensors (edge devices, historians, SCADA/MES interfaces), defining data requirements and ensuring cybersecurity and network segmentation best practices.
• Pilot, implement, and scale successful digital solutions across sites with a clear ROI case and change management plan.

Engineering Project Management & Capital Execution

• Lead equipment upgrades, automation retrofits, and new machine installations from concept to commissioning-scope, budget, risk, timeline, vendor management, FAT/SAT, and training.
• Develop technical specifications, URS, and standards for controls, automation, and maintainability.
• Manage integrators and vendors-ensuring documentation, as-built drawings, code backups, and training are delivered and maintained.

Continuous Improvement & Operational Support

• Partner with site leaders to improve throughput, quality, and cost using structured CI methods (standard work, 5S, waste reduction, constraint analysis).
• Provide on-floor support for production issues, recurring breakdowns, and process instability, ensuring fast containment and long-term correction.
• Maintain an "equipment ownership mindset" across sites-creating consistent reliability expectations and accountability.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain complete documentation: electrical schematics, control narratives, PLC/HMI versions, change logs, spare parts lists, and calibration/verification records as applicable.
• Ensure compliance with applicable standards (OSHA, NFPA 70/70E, ISO standards where applicable, site policies, and internal engineering standards).

Miscellaneous (Supervisory)

• Acts as a good steward of the Company's resources and exemplifies the values of the Company.
• Ensures personal and departmental compliance with all Company policies, procedures, values, ethics, and rules, taking appropriate corrective steps as necessary.
• Maintains and promotes a safe work environment through ownership of Company safety program. This includes following and enforcing all safety rules/regulations and proper operating procedures, as well as the proper use of prescribed safety equipment pertinent to the department and immediately reporting all accidents/incidents to supervisor and Human Resources.
• Supports and enforces the Company's equal employment opportunity and affirmative action policy and actions, immediately reporting violations to supervisor and the Human Resources representative.
• Ensures that personal conduct and work area is free from any form of harassment (sexual, racial, religious, etc.), immediately reporting violations to supervisor and the Human Resources representative.
• Supports Company's quality and environmental policies and programs and ensures programs' requirements specified for positions within the department are met; meeting quality/environment requirements specified by production drawings, bills of materials, control plans, policies, work instructions, and procedures.
• Ensures that self and all employees actively participate in and successfully complete appropriate training (on-the-job, classroom, etc.) and that all training provided is evaluated and that proper documentation is provided for accurate maintenance of the employee's training record (i.e. Training Completed/Evaluation Form).
• Maintains frequent, regular two-way communication with employees to provide information on the state of the business and their performance, establishing an environment of trust.
• Meets with employees regularly to discuss their performance, with formal written performance reviews completed at least annually using the employee's job description as a basis for appraisal.
• Meets with supervisor at least once per year to review job performance using this job description as a basis for appraisal.
• Maintains complete security and confidentiality of all Company records and employee data.
• Maintains a clean, orderly and professional work environment.
• Performs other miscellaneous duties as may be assigned.

QualificationsTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Controls Engineering, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing maintenance/engineering with strong hands-on troubleshooting of industrial equipment and controls.
• Demonstrated experience with:
  • PLC troubleshooting/programming and industrial controls systems
  • HMI configuration and machine interface design
  • Robotics troubleshooting/programming and automation integration
  • Electrical/mechanical fault isolation and machine functionality
• Proven ability to lead multi-site priorities, influence without direct authority, and drive standardization.
• Strong project management skills, vendor management, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Experience in remanufacturing, friction materials, machining, assembly, or similar industrial environments.
• Experience with vision systems, industrial data collection platforms (MES/SCADA/historian), and OEE analytics.
• Working knowledge of functional safety concepts (risk assessment, safety relays/PLCs, validation).
• Experience implementing predictive maintenance technologies (vibration, thermal, oil analysis, current signature, etc.).
• Familiarity with AI/ML use cases in manufacturing (quality inspection, anomaly detection, predictive modeling)-including pilot-to-scale implementation.

• Expert troubleshooting methodology (RCA, 5-Why, fishbone, FMEA)
• Strong electro-mechanical aptitude; reads schematics and electrical prints
• Controls/automation: PLC, HMI, servo/VFD, sensors, industrial networking
• Safety-focused mindset with strong understanding of machine guarding and LOTO
• Communication: able to translate complex technical information to operators and leaders
• Multi-site prioritization: manages multiple projects/issues with clarity and follow-through
• Continuous improvement mindset; data-driven decision making

Physical Demands : The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Manufacturing environment with exposure to moving machinery, noise, dust, and varying temperatures. Ability to stand/walk for extended periods; occasional lifting up to 50 lbs; ability to work near equipment and in/around tight spaces. Occasional off-shift/weekend support during installations, breakdowns, or commissioning activities.

Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment varies from moderate to loud.
Travel Frequent: (25-50%) domestic travel.