Sr. Engineer, Controls & Automation
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 12, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 1, 2026. Kohler scores B on the Alion truth index.
Location: Onsite - Casa Grande, AZ Opportunity The Senior Controls Automation Engineer is responsible for supporting, maintaining, and improving automation systems to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives within a highly automated manufacturing environment. This role focuses on controls system reliability, robotics, automation projects, troubleshooting, continuous improvement, and the implementation of new technologies. The primary area of responsibility supports molding operations, including a fleet of FANUC industrial robots, PLC-based machine controls, HMI/SCADA systems, and automated production equipment. The ideal candidate combines strong automation and controls expertise with a hands-on mechanical engineering background and the ability to design, troubleshoot, and improve automated manufacturing systems. This position works closely with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Process Engineering, and Operations to improve equipment performance, increase manufacturing efficiency, and support plant growth. What We Offer
- Competitive salary with annual merit increases and bonus potential
- Wide array of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, wellness incentives, and maternity/parental leave
- 401k savings plan
- Company-funded pension plan with vesting after 5 years of service
- Career advancement opportunities, tuition reimbursement, and employee discounts
- Company-paid relocation package Responsibilities
- Support daily manufacturing operations and resolve controls, robotics, and automation-related issues.
- Lead troubleshooting efforts for PLCs, HMIs, robotics, machine vision systems, industrial networks, and automated equipment.
- Develop, maintain, and improve Rockwell Automation control systems, including ControlLogix and CompactLogix platforms.
- Configure, develop, and support Ignition HMI/SCADA applications.
- Support and optimize a manufacturing environment consisting of 90+ FANUC industrial robots.
- Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for equipment downtime, automation failures, and process-related concerns.
- Identify and implement automation and continuous improvement projects.
- Develop and maintain controls standards, documentation, electrical drawings, and programming standards.
- Support capital projects involving automation equipment, robotics, controls upgrades, and new production lines.
- Collaborate with Process Engineering, Production, and Maintenance teams to improve equipment performance.
- Support machine commissioning, startup, validation, and operator training activities.
- Promote and support safe machine design, safeguarding, and automation safety initiatives.