Manufacturing and Automation Engineer

Location: Vista, CA | Salary: $124K - $136K

About the Role

Nordic Naturals, a leading manufacturer of premium Omega-3 nutritional supplements, is seeking a Manufacturing and Automation Engineer to drive innovation, operational excellence, and manufacturing efficiency across its production and packaging operations. This position is responsible for evaluating, designing, implementing, and optimizing automated manufacturing systems supporting softgel compounding, encapsulation, liquid compounding & filling, gummy manufacturing & packaging, and finished goods bottling operations. The role partners closely with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Validation, and Supply Chain teams to ensure manufacturing systems operate safely, reliably, and efficiently while supporting future capacity expansion and technological advancement.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation, controls, and systems engineering initiatives across manufacturing and packaging operations, including compounding, encapsulation, capsule drying, sorting, capsule bottling, liquid filling, labeling, cartoning, case packing, palletizing, and future manufacturing and packaging technologies.
• Lead equipment selection, specification, procurement, FAT, installation, commissioning, optimization, and lifecycle management of manufacturing, packaging, automation, and robotics systems while coordinating with OEMs, contractors, and system integrators.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Product Development, and Engineering teams to improve equipment reliability, product quality, throughput, and operator effectiveness.
• Analyze manufacturing and packaging system performance to identify bottlenecks and implement automation, controls, and process improvements that increase throughput, improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), reduce downtime, and minimize waste.
• Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis efforts involving manufacturing equipment, packaging systems, PLC controls, vision systems, sensors, servo systems, industrial networks, and machine communications. Develop standardized troubleshooting guides and corrective action procedures.
• Support integration and communication between processing equipment, packaging equipment, OEE systems, MES platforms, SCADA systems, and enterprise reporting systems.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Work Instructions (WIs), One-Point Lessons (OPLs), troubleshooting guides, startup and shutdown procedures, and equipment operating manuals.
• Create and maintain manufacturing, packaging, setup, changeover, inspection, cleaning, and preventive maintenance checklists.
• Create and maintain automation standards, controls documentation, network architecture diagrams, equipment specifications, and system validation records.
• Support development of training materials and provide technical training for operators, mechanics, technicians, and engineering personnel.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, and OEE tracking to boost packaging line reliability and uptime. Develop and implement changeover reduction strategies (e.g., SMED).
• Lead automation and controls aspects of capital projects including new equipment installations, facility expansions, utility upgrades, and manufacturing line improvements. Develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, technical specifications, and commissioning plans while managing contractors, vendors, and integrators.
• Drive Industry 4.0 initiatives including smart factory technologies, connected equipment, machine data collection, cloud-based analytics, predictive maintenance, and AI-enabled manufacturing solutions. Establish and maintain machine-to-machine and enterprise-level connectivity utilizing OPC UA, MQTT, Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus TCP, and other industrial communication protocols.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Automation Engineering, or Mechatronics Engineering.
• 7+ years of hands-on experience with packaging and production line systems automation in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, supplement, or food industries.
• Hands-on experience with bottling lines, liquid filling machines, labelers, case packers, and other downstream packaging equipment.
• Experience with vision inspection systems, servo drives, robotics (pick & place, palletizers), and conveyor systems.
• Proficiency in PLC programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.), HMI/SCADA systems configuration, and industrial communication protocols.
• Experience with robotic systems (e.g., ABB, FANUC, Yaskawa) integration and programming.
• Hands-on experience with automation and control of CIP (Clean-In-Place) systems, including validation and optimization of cleaning cycles.
• Familiarity with Industry 4.0 technologies, IoT devices, smart factory solutions, and data analytics platforms.
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to improving equipment, processes, and cleaning systems.
• Strong communication skills for cross-functional collaboration with production, engineering, maintenance, quality, and IT teams.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities.
• LEAN Certification (e.g., Green Belt / Black Belt) is highly preferred.

Skills

• PLC Programming Software (e.g., Rockwell Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal, Schneider EcoStruxure)
• HMI and SCADA Software (e.g., FactoryTalk View, Ignition by Inductive Automation, Wonderware, GE iFIX)
• Industrial Networking and Protocols (e.g., configuring Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus TCP networks)
• Robotics Programming Tools (e.g., ABB RobotStudio, FANUC ROBOGUIDE, Yaskawa MotoSim)
• CAD Software for reviewing mechanical and electrical layouts (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks Electrical, EPLAN)
• Simulation and Modeling Tools (e.g., Siemens Process Simulate, Arena Simulation for manufacturing flow)
• Data Acquisition and Analysis Tools (e.g., OSIsoft PI System, SQL databases, Excel advanced functions/macros)
• MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) or ERP Systems (understanding integration with SAP, Oracle, or specialized MES platforms)
• Programming/Scripting Skills (optional)
• CMMS and Maintenance Software (e.g., Fiix, UpKeep, IBM Maximo)
• CIP System Automation Software (controlled through PLC/SCADA — familiarity with setting up/optimizing automated CIP recipes and sequences)

Qualifications

• Positive – Ability to view all situations with a positive attitude.
• Innovative – Ability to look beyond the standard solutions and “think outside the box.”
• Detail Oriented – Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.
• Enthusiastic – Ability to bring energy to the performance of a task.
• Friendly – Ability to exhibit a cheerful demeanor toward others.
• Initiative – Ability to make decisions or take actions to solve a problem or reach a goal.
• Organized – Possessing the trait of being organized or following a systematic method of performing a task.
• Reliability – The trait of being dependable and trustworthy.