Job Title: Automation Engineer MES IntegrationJob Description
The Automation Engineer will play a key role in the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of Manufacturing Execution System (MES) integrations across North American manufacturing sites. This role focuses on developing and supporting MES and industrial automation controls in alignment with ISA-95 standards to enhance manufacturing processes, data analysis, and overall system performance. The Automation Engineer will collaborate with cross-functional teams, lead integration initiatives, and ensure robust data integrity, network performance, and capital planning for MES and control systems.
Responsibilities
- Contribute to the design, programming, purchase, installation, modification, and maintenance of MES integrations in North American manufacturing facilities.
- Ensure disciplined compliance with ISA-95 standards in all MES design and implementation activities.
- Support MES implementation and rollout across North America, providing technical guidance and hands-on support as needed.
- Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams to define user and functional requirements for the MES system and translate these into effective MES solutions.
- Provide continuous improvement of MES and industrial automation control systems to enhance process efficiency, reliability, and data visibility.
- Develop automation and MES solutions that support current and future business needs, including scalability and standardization.
- Ensure MES data integrity and backup processes comply with internal record retention policies.
- Monitor and optimize network and system performance to meet MES user needs, including SQL database administration and performance tuning.
- Complete ongoing educational training to continuously improve knowledge of MES, industrial automation, and machine networking.
- Contribute to the prioritization and development of capital requirements for MES systems, including hardware, software, and implementation activities.
- Support the development of a 5-year capital plan for controls, software, software maintenance, and data acquisition systems.
- Contribute to the creation and maintenance of North America and site-level standards for MES and control systems, equipment, and programming practices.
- Support plant-wide standards for control systems equipment and drive adherence to these standards for new equipment purchases.
- Assist site resources with the design and integration of controls and MES for capital projects and for replacing obsolete controls, sharing best practices across locations.
- Implement upgrades that improve automation, safety, and security across MES and control systems.
- Develop and maintain a consolidated inventory of control systems and related equipment for all North American plants.
- Lead teams and initiatives focused on improving automation and leveraging advanced technologies for process optimization.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to integrate MES with ERP systems, including transitions to SAP S/4HANA, using Restful APIs for key data such as schedules, counts, and machine or labor hours.
- Support integration with industrial control systems, including PLCs and related platforms, to ensure seamless data flow between shop floor and MES.
- Travel to manufacturing sites as needed (approximately 25%) to support implementations, upgrades, and cross-site projects.
Essential Skills
- 35 years of experience in industrial manufacturing with a focus on controls and MES integration.
- Masters or Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or a related Engineering Technology field.
- Advanced knowledge of programming languages and scripting for automation and MES applications.
- Advanced experience with SQL databases, including database administration, performance optimization, and application development (including SQL Agents).
- Hands-on experience with Inductive Automation Ignition, including Vision and Perspective modules, and platform development with web services programming.
- Experience with laboratory or lab-related applications connected to MES or Ignition platforms.
- Experience integrating MES with ERP systems, including the use of Restful APIs to exchange data such as schedules, counts, and machine or labor hours.
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, to collaborate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Ability to travel approximately 25% to support multi-site projects and implementations.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience with multi-site industrial or manufacturing projects.
- Experience with ERP integration involving SAP S/4HANA or transitions to SAP S/4HANA.
- Experience with process modeling and AI-based process optimization.
- Experience interfacing with industrial control systems and PLC programming.
- Knowledge of Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Inductive Automation, and other industrial automation platforms.
- Familiarity with Wonderware and WinCC SCADA or HMI systems.
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive standardization across multiple sites.
- Strong problem-solving skills and a continuous improvement mindset focused on automation, safety, and security.
Work Environment
This role operates in a modern industrial manufacturing environment that combines office-based engineering work with regular exposure to plant-floor operations. The Automation Engineer will work with MES platforms, industrial control systems, PLCs, SCADA/HMI systems, SQL databases, and networking infrastructure. The position involves collaboration with cross-functional teams across multiple North American sites and requires approximately 25% travel to plants for implementations, upgrades, and project support. Work is typically performed during standard business hours, with flexibility required at times to support system rollouts, upgrades, or critical production activities. The environment emphasizes safety, standardization of controls and MES systems, and the use of advanced technologies such as Ignition, ERP integrations, and data acquisition systems to drive continuous improvement.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Reading, PA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $100000.00/yr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
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Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Reading, PA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 2, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Reading,PA.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
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Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.