Process Automation Engineer
Actalent
Posted Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Posting ID: JP-005993994
Job Description
The Process Automation Engineer leads plant-wide process engineering and automation initiatives to optimize production, support capacity expansion, and introduce new products. This role designs, programs, and upgrades automated equipment and control systems, manages capital projects from concept through completion, and drives continuous improvement in safety, quality, and efficiency. The position is highly hands-on and autonomous, requiring frequent interaction with the manufacturing floor, cross-functional teams, and external contractors to deliver robust, cost-effective automation solutions.
Responsibilities
- Lead process engineering and automation efforts across the plant to optimize existing operations and support new product introductions.
- Evaluate manufacturing equipment and machinery on the production floor, determine root causes of issues, and develop effective technical solutions, including programming from scratch when needed.
- Work to improve key performance indicators (KPIs) focused on safety, quality, productivity, cost improvement, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), and 5S activities.
- Manage documentation and control of all production line PLC programs and automation software, ensuring accuracy, version control, and accessibility.
- Perform routine troubleshooting on mechanical and electrical equipment to minimize downtime and improve reliability.
- Support and document preventive maintenance procedures for automated and mechanical systems.
- Direct and coordinate the fabrication, installation, and startup of new equipment and processes to ensure conformance to engineering design and customer specifications.
- Assist in developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for equipment inspection, maintenance, and operation.
- Assist with the design of products and mechanical, electrical, and control systems to support manufacturing and automation requirements.
- Develop, design, and implement annual capital plans and strategic projects, with project scopes ranging from small upgrades to multi-million-dollar investments.
- Evaluate production capabilities and constraints for New Product Development (NPD) projects and recommend equipment or process changes as needed.
- Lead and organize Lean Six Sigma activities to support continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing lines.
- Identify and resolve root causes of recurring downtime, implementing sustainable corrective actions.
- Identify opportunities to increase unit output, improve line balance, and enhance throughput.
- Implement cost savings and improvement projects that enhance safety, quality, and operational efficiency.
- Maintain accurate project and equipment files, including drawings, programs, and technical documentation.
- Research and analyze data such as customer design proposals, specifications, and manuals to determine the feasibility of designs or applications.
- Plan the fabrication of test control apparatus and equipment, and develop methods and procedures for testing products or systems.
- Supervise and oversee field installations of equipment and systems, recommending design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions.
- Provide technical training on production line equipment and automation systems to maintenance and operations personnel as needed.
- Promote and model safe work practices at all times, helping to maintain a safe, healthy, and respectful work environment.
- Ensure compliance with all company policies, procedures, and safety standards.
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product development, manufacturing, maintenance, and external contractors, to successfully execute automation and capital projects.
- Operate with a high degree of autonomy, taking projects from concept through design, implementation, and successful handoff to operations.
- Perform other related duties as assigned to support plant expansion, upgrades, and continuous improvement.
- Proven experience in process engineering within a manufacturing environment with heavy automation.
- Strong hands-on experience with PLC programming, including programming from scratch using ladder logic.
- Proficiency with Allen-Bradley PLCs and related automation platforms.
- Demonstrated experience in process automation, including design, implementation, and optimization of automated production lines.
- Solid electrical background, including understanding of control systems, wiring, and industrial electrical components.
- Proficiency with AutoCAD for electrical and mechanical design, layout, and drawing updates.
- Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously, from initial concept through installation, commissioning, and handover.
- Mechanical aptitude and familiarity with automated equipment such as robotic palletizers, bottle sorters, liquid fillers, and cap applicators or similar systems.
- Ability to perform root cause analysis on equipment and process issues and implement effective corrective actions.
- Experience with continuous improvement methodologies, including Lean and Six Sigma tools, to improve safety, quality, and efficiency.
- Ability to work independently in a highly autonomous role, making sound technical and project decisions with minimal oversight.
- Strong communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams, external contractors, and production personnel.
- Ability to develop, maintain, and control technical documentation, including PLC programs, equipment files, and SOPs.
- Capability to evaluate production capabilities for new products and recommend appropriate equipment or process changes.
- Experience in straight-line manufacturing processes or similar high-throughput production environments.
- background in industries such as refinery, pharmaceutical, food, chemical, or agriculture manufacturing with significant automation.
- Experience as a project engineer or similar role, with responsibility for capital projects and facility upgrades.
- Demonstrated ability to take projects from concept to completion, including justification, design, vendor coordination, installation, and startup.
- Experience leading or organizing Lean Six Sigma activities and continuous improvement events.
- Familiarity with developing capital requests and business cases for new machines and processing lines.
- Comfort working as the primary automation and process project resource, effectively acting as a one-person automation and project management lead.
- Interest in long-term career growth with potential to progress into higher-level plant leadership roles as the operation expands.
This role is based in a manufacturing facility with approximately 75% of the time spent on the production floor and 25% in a cubicle or office environment. The work involves frequent interaction with automated equipment, including PLC-controlled systems, robotic palletizers, bottle sorters, liquid fillers, and cap applicators, as well as exposure to ongoing facility upgrades and new equipment installations. The position is highly hands-on, requiring regular presence around operating machinery, troubleshooting activities, and supervision of field installations. The environment emphasizes safety, continuous improvement, and collaboration with cross-functional teams and external contractors. Standard office tools and engineering software, including PLC programming environments and AutoCAD, are used regularly to design, document, and manage projects.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Saint Louis, MO.
Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $95000.00 - $105000.00/yr.
health, dental, vision, 401k
Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Saint Louis,MO.
Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on May 13, 2026.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:
- Hiring diverse talent
- Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
- Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
- Ensuring growth opportunities for our people
Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.
Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.
Contact Information
Email: imyers@actalentservices.com
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