Automation Engineer

Automation Engineer

Reports To: Plant Manager

The Automation Engineer will design, deploy, and sustain automated assembly and test solutions for high-volume, high-mix electrical connector manufacturing (contacts, terminals, housings, overmolded/insert-molded components, subassemblies). You'll collaborate with manufacturing, quality, maintenance, tooling, and supply chain to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost across Amphenol Industrial production lines.

Amphenol Industrial Operations, headquartered in Endicott, New York, with global manufacturing, design, sales, and marketing locations, specializes in delivering a comprehensive range of high-reliability power and signal connectors along with interconnection systems designed specifically for harsh environments and high performance. Our solutions cater to diverse, high-growth industrial sectors such as alternative energy, energy storage, hyperscale datacom, telecom, rail and mass transit, electric and hybrid vehicles, transportation, factory automation, robotics, and heavy equipment.

Our product portfolio addresses modern power and signal requirements and emerging system technology needs encompassing high-amperage power interconnects utilizing proprietary RADSOK® contact technology, ruggedized circular, rectangular interconnects and board level contacts (GT, AC, PT, Amphe-Lite, Radsert, PowerBlok, SurLok Plus, ePower, UPC, H4 Plus, and more), advanced power distribution including value-add box builds, custom-engineered cable assemblies and overmolded harnesses. With a dedicated team of over 2500 skilled staff operating across a growing international footprint—including eight key manufacturing sites in North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East providing localization for our customer base. Amphenol Industrial Operations consistently meets the highest global standards of quality, product performance, design capabilities, and regionalized technical and sales support.

Amphenol Industrial Operations proudly operates as a business unit of Amphenol Corporation (NYSE: APH), a global leader in the electronics revolution, headquartered in Wallingford, Connecticut.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Solution Development

• Own concept-to-ramp for automated assembly and test equipment: requirements (URS), vendor selection, RFQs, design reviews, FAT/SAT, installation, validation, and handover.
• Architect PLC/HMI, motion, robotics, and vision systems for processes such as pin/terminal forming and insertion, crimping, press-fit, heat staking, ultrasonic/laser welding, adhesive/potting, screwdriving, soldering, laser marking, and 100% in-line inspection.
• Specify and integrate feeders (vibratory/flexible), servo/pneumatic actuators, tooling, sensors, conveyors, fixtures, and poka-yoke.

Controls, Software, and Data

• Program PLCs, HMIs, motion, and safety PLCs.
• Deploy and program robots/cobots and machine vision for guidance and inspection.
• Connect equipment to MES/SCADA for traceability, barcode/2D data matrix/RFID, OEE, and real-time analytics. Use SPC/DOE/MSA for process capability.

Industrialization and Compliance

• Lead PFMEA, control plans, process validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), PPAP/FAIR as applicable (IATF 16949, ISO 9001).
• Ensure electrical and machine safety compliance, ESD, and LOTO. Partner with EHS on guarding and ergonomics.

Operations Support and CI

• Troubleshoot chronic downtime, reduce MTTR/MTBF issues, and drive root cause/corrective actions.
• Lead kaizen, SMED, standard work, and 5S to improve throughput, yield, and changeover.
• Create documentation (SOPs, schematics, PLC/HMI backups, BOMs), train technicians and operators, and mentor junior engineers.
• Manage spares strategy and CMMS inputs with Maintenance.
• Identify opportunity to improve efficiency, machine up time, cycle time reduction by improving program or stronger the machine learning.

Qualifications

Education & Experience Requirements

Required:

• BS in Mechatronics, Electrical, Mechanical, or Manufacturing Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• 3+ years in automation for precision assembly; small-parts or connector manufacturing strongly preferred.
• Hands-on PLC/HMI programming, servo/motion tuning, and electrical panel troubleshooting.
• Experience with machine vision, pneumatics, and fixture/tooling design.
• Read and create electrical/mechanical drawings (schematics, GD&T); familiarity with CAD and EPLAN/AutoCAD Electrical.

Preferred:

• Proficiency with PFMEA/CP/PPAP or IQ/OQ/PQ, SPC, MSA/GR&R, root cause (8D/A3).
• Experience with robotics/cobots
• Connector/process experience: crimping, pin insertion, press-fit, overmolding/insert molding, ultrasonic/laser welding, heat staking, potting/adhesives, continuity/hipot testing.
• Exposure to IATF 16949 (automotive), AS9100 (aerospace), or ISO 13485 (medical).
• Safety and electrical standards: NFPA 79, UL 508A, CE marking; machine risk assessment.
• Data/IIoT: OPC UA, SQL, Ignition, FactoryTalk, basic Python or structured text.
• Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt, PMP, or equivalent project leadership credentials.
• Vendor management experience and capital project delivery ($100k–$2M+).

Core Competencies

• Systems thinking and structured problem solving.
• Project management: scope, schedule, budget, and stakeholder alignment.
• Clear technical communication, change management, and shop-floor presence.
• Bias for action, ownership, and continuous improvement mindset.

Physical/Environmental Requirements:

The physical requirements 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, sit, stand; walk; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. Must be able to sit and/or stand for long periods of time. Ability to work in labs, at customer sites, and with hands-on equipment. Occasional lifting of samples/equipment (up to 50 lbs). Regular domestic travel and occasional international travel.