Automation Controls Engineer

About the role

Materion Corporation seeks an Automation Controls Engineer to design, program, and optimize controls for advanced manufacturing operations. In this role, you will develop and troubleshoot PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems, enhance equipment reliability, and support safe, high-quality production of high-performance materials. Working closely with engineering, maintenance, and production teams, you'll lead automation projects, support commissioning, and drive continuous improvement across aerospace, electronics, and energy applications in a collaborative, innovation-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, and optimize automation and controls systems for manufacturing equipment and processes
• Develop PLC, HMI, and SCADA logic to improve safety, quality, and throughput
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve controls and instrumentation issues on the plant floor
• Collaborate with engineering, maintenance, and production teams on new installations and upgrades
• Implement and maintain controls standards, documentation, and change management procedures
• Support commissioning, testing, and validation of new equipment and process improvements
• Analyze production data to identify automation opportunities and drive continuous improvement
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory requirements in all controls work

Required Skills

• PLC programming (Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar)
• HMI/SCADA configuration and support
• Industrial networking and communication protocols (Ethernet/IP, Modbus, Profibus)
• Control panel design and hardware specification
• Electrical schematics and instrumentation
• Motion control and drives (VFDs, servos)
• Industrial safety systems and standards (lockout/tagout, safety relays, SIL)
• Data acquisition and historian systems
• Root cause analysis and troubleshooting of automation systems
• Project planning and documentation for automation projects