Principal Automation Engineer

Elevate your career at Marotta Controls, a New Jersey Top Workplace three years running! Dedicated to innovation, quality and excellence, we deliver cutting edge control systems for the Aerospace & Defense industry. At Marotta, we value bold thinking and teamwork, and we empower our employees to push boundaries while delivering top-tier solutions to our customers. Our team fosters a fun, collaborative culture where creativity and technical excellence thrive! Your next big opportunity starts here. Be part of a company where your work supports a mission that makes a difference—apply today!

Principal Automation Engineer (Power & Actuation Systems)

Position Profile

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Automation Engineer to join our team in the Aerospace manufacturing industry. This role is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of automated systems and controls that drive production efficiency, consistency, and quality across our manufacturing operations. The ideal candidate will have experience in industrial automation, PLC programming, robotics, and knowledge of electric motor production processes.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical engineering, Mechatronics, Automation, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in an automation engineering role within a manufacturing environment (preferably electromechanical systems).
• Proficiency in PLC programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.), HMI development, and industrial control systems.
• Experience with robotic integration (e.g., Fanuc, ABB, UR).
• Experience in lean manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Strong understanding of industrial networks (Ethernet/IP, Modbus, ProfiNet).
• Knowledge of data acquisition, manufacturing execution systems (MES), and SCADA platforms.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and project management skills.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.

Essential or Primary / Key Responsibilities

• Participate in the selection, specification, and commissioning of automation equipment.
• Design new automated systems and processes for the introduction of new products or the improvement of existing products.
• Investigate, assess and resolve production issues effectively.
• Implement improvements to current operations to improve efficiency.
• Effectively communicate with suppliers to procure necessary equipment.
• Assemble and test automation hardware.
• Analyze layout of equipment, workflow, assembly methods, and workforce utilization to maximize efficiency.
• Create, maintain and refine detailed manufacturing documentation (i.e. Operation Sheets, Routers, Set‑up/Tooling sheets, etc.) through effective selection of manufacturing methods (inclusive of inspection point selection).
• Develop and maintain technical documentation including electrical schematics, logic diagrams, and system manuals.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing principles to tool/fixture design, material selection, facility layout plans, cost estimates, DFM concepts, GD&T practices, machine shop documentation, root cause investigations, troubleshooting, performance metrics and machine shop operational activities.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Production) to support new product introductions and process improvements.
• Perform all practices and activities related to manufacturing engineering in a manner which supports commonality, standardization where applicable, First Past Yield and utilization of safe/best industry practices.
• Effectively communicate issues in a timely manner to all affected parties internal or external to the Marotta Organization.

Additional Duties / Responsibilities

• Desire to do ‘what it takes’ to accomplish our goals and win.
• Speak up and actively participate in team meetings to provide constructive recommendations and initiate actions to support company initiatives/goals.
• Be proactive, think ahead, and keep the big picture in mind.
• Facilitate training, as needed, to maintain a cross‑trained workforce and to support operational goals and objectives.
• Define, develop, and maintain performance metrics to achieve targeted manufacturing objectives. Implement appropriate actions to resolve identified issues.
• Lead training of assigned areas to maintain a well‑trained workforce.
• Abide by all safety, quality, housekeeping and company policies.
• Consistently demonstrate commitment to company values.
• Ensure that work area(s) are clean, secure, and well maintained.
• Complete special projects and miscellaneous assignments as required.
• Contribute to a positive, cooperative and safe work environment.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to conditions typical of a manufacturing/machine shop environment, including, but not limited to: fluids, fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts, noise and vibration.
• This job interacts both in a professional office environment and a manufacturing/machine shop environment. This role uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines, as well as environments inclusive of the appropriate eye, hearing and foot protection (as required).
• Temperature of work environment may be affected by outside/external temperatures, machining processes, etc.
• This is a full‑time position. Weekend work may be required, as job duties demand.
• Some travel may be required for this position (5‑20%).

Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the Automation Engineer is regularly required to talk and hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Vision and color vision must pass job‑required vision screening.
• The Automation Engineer is frequently required to reach with hands and arms, and to use hands to finger, handle or feel.
• The Automation Engineer is regularly required to stand, sit, walk, stoop, or crouch, and move about the facility.
• The Automation Engineer may be required to lift and/or move items weighing up to 25 pounds.

Pay Range

$170,000 – $230,000 per year

Location

Parsippany, NJ

Citizenship Requirement

Many of our contracts require proof that you are a U.S. citizen and/or that an export license has been obtained for employees who are citizens of certain countries. Your employment, both initially and continually thereafter, is conditioned on production of such proof of citizenship and/or any export license that may be required to comply with any and all applicable laws, regulations, or executive orders, or required by Federal, State, or local government contracts.

Benefits

We offer a highly competitive compensation package for this outstanding position plus a quarterly bonus along with a full range of top‑quality benefits and employee services including: medical, prescription, dental, vision, life and disability income insurance programs, 401(k) retirement plans with company match, generous tuition aid program, paid vacation, sick and personal days, paid holidays and flexible work hours with compressed work week options. We recognize and reward our employee’s accomplishments and host several employee engagement events per quarter.

EOE Statement

We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer M/F/IWD/Veterans.