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Associate Automation Engineer Jobs in Salinas, CA

Cushman & Wakefield

Automation Engineer

Salinas, CA · On-site

Job Title Automation Engineer Summary Our Purpose: At C&W Services, we live by the belief that ... Associate's degree with a focus in Electronic Technology (or similar) * Bachelor's degree in a STEM ...

Cushman & Wakefield

Automation Engineer

Salinas, CA · On-site

Job Title Automation Engineer Summary Our Purpose: At C&W Services, we live by the belief that ... Associate's degree with a focus in Electronic Technology (or similar) * Bachelor's degree in a STEM ...

PCS Global tech

QA Automation Engineer

Monterey, CA · On-site

The QA Automation Engineer serves an important role in the Company by creating automated scripts to ... Associate Degree or equivalent experience (five or more years) in Quality Assurance - automated ...

PCS Global tech

QA Automation Engineer

Monterey, CA · On-site

The QA Automation Engineer serves an important role in the Company by creating automated scripts to ... Associate Degree or equivalent experience (five or more years) in Quality Assurance - automated ...

Ralliant

Sr. Automation Engineer

Hollister, CA · On-site

$107K - $141K/yr

Lead and direct meetings with other team members and hourly associates * Manage tooling and gauge ... Manufacturing Automation Engineer with 10+ years of experience * Lean manufacturing practices ...

Ralliant

Manufacturing Engineering

Hollister, CA · On-site

$75K - $97K/yr

Summary: This Manufacturing Engineer role supports the Chemical Operations Department and is ... Automation programming experience a plus Working Conditions: * Sustaining Manufacturing Engineer in ...

LHH US

Accounting Manager

Morgan Hill, CA · On-site

$65 - $75/hr

Lead process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, automation, and reporting accuracy ... Collaborate cross-functionally with FP&A, operations, engineering, and project management teams to ...

LHH US

Accounting Manager

Morgan Hill, CA

$65 - $75/hr

Lead process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, automation, and reporting accuracy ... Collaborate cross-functionally with FP&A, operations, engineering, and project management teams to ...

All JobsAssociate Automation Engineer JobsAssociate Automation Engineer Jobs in Salinas, CA

Associate Automation Engineer information

See Salinas, CA salary details

$20

$31

$36

How much do associate automation engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate automation engineer in Salinas, CA is $31.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.64 and $34.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate automation engineer?

An Associate Automation Engineer is an entry-level professional who helps design, develop, test, and maintain automated systems or processes within an organization. They typically work under the guidance of senior engineers to implement automation solutions that improve efficiency and reduce manual work. Their responsibilities may include writing scripts, maintaining automation tools, troubleshooting issues, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize workflows. This role is common in industries such as manufacturing, software development, and IT.

What types of projects can an associate automation engineer expect to work on in their first year?

As an Associate Automation Engineer, you can expect to contribute to a variety of projects focused on improving and automating business processes or manufacturing systems. Typical responsibilities include assisting in the design, development, and testing of automated systems, collaborating with senior engineers, and troubleshooting automation equipment. You'll often work closely with cross-functional teams such as production, quality assurance, and IT to support the deployment and maintenance of automation solutions. This hands-on experience provides a strong foundation for understanding automation workflows and prepares you for more complex projects as you gain experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate automation engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Automation Engineer, a strong understanding of programming languages (such as Python, Java, or C#), automation frameworks, and a relevant engineering degree are essential. Familiarity with tools like Selenium, Jenkins, and version control systems, as well as knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help individuals excel in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for developing reliable automated solutions, ensuring software quality, and collaborating efficiently within engineering teams.

What are popular job titles related to Associate Automation Engineer jobs in Salinas, CA?

For Associate Automation Engineer jobs in Salinas, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Associate Automation Engineer jobs in Salinas, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Automation Engineer jobs in Salinas, CA are:

What cities near Salinas, CA are hiring for Associate Automation Engineer jobs?

Cities near Salinas, CA with the most Associate Automation Engineer job openings:

Associate Automation Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Automation Engineer job openings in Salinas, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $64,779 per year, or $31.1 per hour.

Automation Technician / Automation Engineer

The Morning Star Company

Los Banos, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description


Automation Technician / Automation Engineer
Location
Liberty Packing Company, LLC

About the Company
The Morning Star Company and its affiliates operate three tomato processing facilities in Central California, processing about 40% of the California processing tomato crop, in addition to tomato growing, transplanting, farming, harvesting and trucking operations.  The company employs approximately 500 year-round and over 3,000 seasonal colleagues, with annual sales of about $1 billion.
The Morning Star Company is the largest producer of bulk tomato ingredient products (tomato paste and diced tomatoes) in the world.  We also produce canned tomatoes, tomato products and specialty sauces in pouches for customers in the retail and food service markets.  The company is known worldwide for its innovation and integrity.
We are organizationally structured through a system we term Mission Focused Self-Management™.  Our company is operated by Colleagues without titles or an appointed hierarchy of authority.  Authority relative to other Colleagues’ activities is lateral, with our Mission as our guiding principle of action, and respect, influence and success built based on each Colleague’s integrity, competency, effort, persistence and straightforward persuasiveness.  Although we have grown significantly, we intend to maintain a culture of individual responsibility and Mission Focused Self-Management.
Role Summary
The Automation Technician / Automation Engineer is responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance, and optimization of industrial automation systems across processing and packaging operations. This role supports reliable plant operation by maintaining PLC, HMI, instrumentation, and electrical control systems while driving continuous improvement, troubleshooting, and automation upgrades in a food and beverage manufacturing environment.
The position works closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, and external vendors to ensure safe, robust, and efficient automation systems that meet production, quality, and food safety requirements.
Key Responsibilities
  • Automation & Controls
    • Design, program, troubleshoot, and maintain PLC-based control systems, including logic, I/O, and communications
    • Develop and support HMI/SCADA systems for process monitoring and operator interaction
    • Diagnose and resolve automation-related downtime in processing and packaging equipment
    • Support startup, commissioning, and validation of new automation systems and equipment
    • Program and troubleshoot servo motors and drives
  • Electrical & Instrumentation
    • Troubleshoot electrical control panels, motor controls, VFDs, sensors, and field devices
    • Maintain and calibrate instrumentation (flow, pressure, temperature, level, pH, etc.)
    • Interpret and update electrical schematics, loop diagrams, and P&IDs
    • Ensure compliance with electrical codes, safety standards, and plant LOTO procedures
  • Continuous Improvement & Projects
    • Identify opportunities to improve OEE, reliability, and process consistency through automation
    • Support capital projects involving new equipment, line upgrades, or controls modernization
    • Standardize controls architectures, programming practices, and documentation
    • Collaborate with vendors, integrators, and internal engineering teams
  • Food & Beverage Manufacturing Support
    • Ensure automation systems support 
  • Food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements
    • Participate in CIP/SIP automation, batching, and recipe management systems
    • Support traceability, alarms, data logging, and process controls critical to food production

Required Qualifications
  • Technical Skills
    • Strong working knowledge of PLC platforms (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or equivalent)
    • Experience with HMI/SCADA development and troubleshooting
    • Solid understanding of industrial electrical systems (480V/240V/120V controls, MCCs, VFDs)
    • Experience with process instrumentation and field device integration
    • Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, P&IDs, and control narratives
Experience
  • Automation Technician:
    • 3–5 years of hands-on industrial automation and controls experience
    • Automation Engineer:
    • 5+ years of automation/controls experience, including system design and project support
    • Preferred experience in food & beverage, CPG, or regulated manufacturing environments
Education (preferred, not mandatory depending on level)
  • Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Automation, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field
  • Equivalent hands-on experience will be considered in lieu of formal education

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with batching systems, recipe control, or continuous process automation
  • Familiarity with industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, Profibus, Profinet, Modbus, etc.)
  • Experience supporting capital projects and equipment commissioning
  • Understanding of GMP, HACCP, and food safety requirements
  • Ability to work independently in a fast-paced production environment

Soft Skills & Attributes
  • Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills
  • Ability to work cross-functionally with Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering
  • Clear communicator with operators, technicians, and management
  • Detail-oriented with strong documentation habits
  • Comfortable supporting off-hours troubleshooting during critical production periods

Compensation
The salary for this role is $180,000-$200,000, depending heavily upon qualifications.
Benefits
Morning Star offers a top-tier, comprehensive health plan, including medical, dental, and vision, and we pay the full monthly premiums for the Colleague and all eligible family members. The company also contributes to Colleagues' Health Savings Accounts. Year-round Colleagues are eligible to enroll in our 401K plan, with 4% match. 

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