Sr. Manufacturing Automation Engineer

Your Role

Sr. Manufacturing Automation Engineer

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver complex automation and control system projects that support manufacturing operations, regulatory compliance, product supply, capacity expansion, and cost optimization.
• Serve as the site subject matter expert for control systems, data historians, dashboard development, alarming strategies, and overall automation lifecycle management.
• Support the selection, design, validation, implementation, and continuous improvement of automation solutions while balancing business, technical, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide technical leadership for project planning and execution, including resource coordination, contractor oversight, budget management, scheduling, risk mitigation, and project delivery.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Technical Services to troubleshoot production issues, analyze data, resolve technical challenges, and implement sustainable solutions.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies, develop technical standards and design specifications, and identify opportunities to improve productivity and business performance through automation.
• Develop, train, mentor, and influence site personnel and automation team members on control system best practices, compliance requirements, and effective use of automation systems, data, and tools while contributing to network-level automation initiatives.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's in Engineering (Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Control Systems, or related discipline)
• Required Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience working in automation engineering
• Top Skills: Strong automation engineering expertise, including PLC, HMI, vision system programming, control system alarming, and historian platforms such as Aveva PI / OSI PI (or similar platform).
• Proven project leadership and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, drive complex initiatives, and effectively resolve issues.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with experience influencing cross-functional teams and mentoring others in automation best practices; experience with WIN911 (or other related industrial alarm notification and escalation platforms).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a regulated manufacturing environment
• Experience with Rockwell and Siemens PLC platforms
• Leveranufacturing and continuous improvement experience
• Experience supporting 24-hour manufacturing operations

Additional Information

Location: Elwood, KS
Schedule: Monday–Friday days; occasional evening and weekend support may be required to support the demands of a 24-hour operation
Travel: Minimal travel required
On-Call Support: Ability to provide backup 24-hour support as business needs require

Elanco Benefits and Perks

• Multiple relocation packages
• Competitive PTO
• 8-week parental leave
• 9 Employee Resource Groups
• Annual bonus offering
• Up to 6% 401K matching

Elanco

Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status