Senior Specialist, Manufacturing Automation

About the role

The Senior Specialist, Manufacturing Automation provides technical leadership and automation support for capital projects and manufacturing operations at the Dallas, Texas, facility. The position supports the startup, commissioning, qualification, operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of manufacturing automation and mechanical systems. The position reports to the Engineering Manager and works closely with the Associate Director of Operations, Maintenance, Operations, Quality, Information Technology, equipment suppliers, and other cross-functional partners. The role operates as an individual contributor with responsibility for technical leadership, project execution, contractor oversight, and cross-functional coordination.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates automation and information technology systems and develops strategies to improve system reliability, quality, maintainability, and long-term performance through expansion, replacement, or upgrade.
• Applies technical expertise to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of automated processing equipment and supporting information technology systems.
• Identifies and implements automation, process, and equipment improvements that increase manufacturing efficiency, reliability, and operational performance.
• Develops technical requirements that consider operational needs, system capabilities, lifecycle costs, business benefits, compliance requirements, and implementation risks.
• Serves as a liaison among site teams, corporate automation groups, divisional automation teams, and Information Technology.
• Develops programmable logic controller (PLC) and human-machine interface (HMI) code for new equipment and supports existing control systems.
• Configures and commissions variable-frequency drives (VFDs).
• Configures subnet addressing and industrial network communications.
• Provides on-floor technical support for manufacturing operations.
• Troubleshoots complex automation, controls, equipment, and system issues and develops sustainable corrective actions.
• Participates in investigations of automation anomalies, determines contributing factors, and implements actions to prevent recurrence.
• Analyzes system performance, operating data, and equipment trends to identify emerging issues and improvement opportunities.
• Coordinates project activities across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Information Technology, procurement, equipment suppliers, contractors, and other stakeholders to achieve approved scope, schedule, cost, and compliance objectives.
• Provides technical leadership