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Automation Engineer Jobs in Rio Rancho, NM (NOW HIRING)

Senior Technical Business Developer - Grid Automation

NM · Remote

$100K - $132K/yr

We are seeking a dynamic and technically proficient Senior Technical Business Developer to lead the expansion of our Grid Automation portfolio in the U.S. market. This role bridges advanced grid ...

Automation Controls Engineer II in Albuquerque, NM Build your future at Curia, where our work has the power to save lives Curia is a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO ...

Automation Controls Engineer II

Albuquerque, NM · On-site

$80K - $107K/yr

Automation Controls Engineer II in Albuquerque, NM Build your future at Curia, where our work has the power to save lives Curia is a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO ...

Manufacturing Engineer

Los Lunas, NM

$70K - $91K/yr

Collaborate with design engineering to influence product DFM/DFA (Design for Manufacturability/Automation) to ease automation integration * Design and develop tools that aid in error free assembly ...

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Automation Engineer information

See Rio Rancho, NM salary details

$34.8K

$100.8K

$153.3K

How much do automation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for automation engineer in Rio Rancho, NM is $100,764.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,400.00 and $116,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Automation Engineer vs Control Systems Engineer?

AspectAutomation EngineerControl Systems Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, certifications like PLC or SCADABachelor's in Electrical, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering, similar certifications
Work EnvironmentManufacturing, industrial plants, automation companiesIndustrial facilities, manufacturing, process control environments
Employer & Industry UsageTech firms, manufacturing, automation service providersIndustrial sectors, process industries, automation firms
Common Search & Comparison IntentYesYes

The main difference between Automation Engineers and Control Systems Engineers lies in their focus areas. Automation Engineers typically design and implement automated systems across various industries, emphasizing software and hardware integration. Control Systems Engineers concentrate on designing and maintaining control systems for industrial processes, often with a stronger emphasis on control theory and hardware. Both roles require similar qualifications and are often found working in manufacturing and industrial environments, but their specific responsibilities and focus areas differ.

What are Automation Engineers?

Automation Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and implement automated systems and processes to improve efficiency, quality, and productivity in various industries. They work with technologies such as robotics, control systems, and software to automate repetitive or complex tasks. Their responsibilities often include programming, troubleshooting, and maintaining automation equipment, as well as collaborating with other engineers to optimize workflows. Automation Engineers are employed in sectors like manufacturing, IT, automotive, and pharmaceuticals.

What is the work of an automation engineer?

An automation engineer designs, develops, and maintains systems that automate manufacturing processes, software testing, or other repetitive tasks. They use tools like PLCs, scripting languages, and control systems to improve efficiency and reduce manual effort. Strong problem-solving skills and knowledge of automation tools are essential for this role.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, petroleum engineering, and aerospace engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High compensation often involves working in high-demand industries, managing large projects, or holding executive-level positions.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior automation engineers, especially those with extensive experience, specialized skills in programming, control systems, and robotics, can earn $300,000 or more annually. High compensation is often associated with leadership roles, working in industries like manufacturing, aerospace, or technology, and may include bonuses or stock options.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Automation Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Automation Engineer, you need a strong grasp of control systems, programming (such as PLC, Python, or C++), and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with automation platforms like Rockwell, Siemens, or SCADA systems, as well as certifications like ISA or relevant vendor-specific credentials, is highly valued. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating with diverse teams and troubleshooting complex issues. These skills and qualifications are critical for designing efficient automated solutions, minimizing downtime, and ensuring seamless integration of systems.

What are some common challenges Automation Engineers face when integrating new systems into existing workflows?

Automation Engineers often encounter challenges when integrating new automation solutions with legacy systems, including compatibility issues and data migration complexities. Coordinating with cross-functional teams—such as IT, operations, and production—can require extensive communication to ensure seamless implementation. Additionally, balancing the need for system reliability with innovation and minimizing downtime during transitions are key concerns. Proactively addressing these challenges through thorough planning and testing helps ensure successful integration.

What Does an Automation Engineer Do?

As an automation engineer, your job is to design and develop automated machines for your company. Your responsibilities may include determining the best way to implement automation, creating devices that meet the company's needs and specifications, testing robots to ensure they perform as designed, and monitoring existing automation to check if repair or replacement is needed. Many duties of this job vary by industry. For example, automation engineers work in areas like the automotive industry, food preparation and packaging, electronics production, and appliance production, and each of these fields has different materials and objectives. However, regardless of industry, most automation engineers work with both hardware and software.

Will AI replace automation engineer?

AI is a tool that can automate certain tasks within an automation engineer's role, but it is unlikely to fully replace the profession. Automation engineers design, develop, and maintain complex systems that require human oversight, problem-solving, and adaptation. Skills in programming, systems integration, and understanding of industrial processes remain essential in the field.
What cities near Rio Rancho, NM are hiring for Automation Engineer jobs? Cities near Rio Rancho, NM with the most Automation Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Automation Engineer job openings in Rio Rancho, NM as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,764 per year, or $48.4 per hour.

Automation Engineer

Edgewater Federal Solutions, Inc.

Albuquerque, NM • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

Overview

Edgewater Federal Solutions is seeking an Automation Engineer to support a major national laboratory. 

We are seeking someone with experience with automation and orchestration tools such as Ansible, Puppet, and Chef. Experience in UNIX, Linux, and/or Windows Operating System (OS), including file management, scripting, editing, and security. Experience with a variety of programming languages, software, or tools to develop regular or ad-hoc queries from large datasets. Familiar with network communication protocols, and other related protocols. Ability to implement solutions integrating Rest application program interface (API) based web services.

Responsibilities
  • Evaluate and recommend data ingestion and pipeline tools (open source and vendor solutions) to support scalable data workflows.
  • Design and implement data pipelines to ingest, process, and transform structured and unstructured data from diverse sources.
  • Develop and manage data orchestration workflows using open-source or COTS tools to automate and monitor complex data pipelines.
  • Design, develop, and maintain APIs or leverage existing APIs to enable seamless data integration across COTS, custom-built applications, and data platforms.
  • Work with both on-premises infrastructure (Oracle/Microsoft databases, MongoDB) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP, or others) to support current and future data architectures.
  • Integrate data pipelines with various applications, ensuring seamless data flow and interoperability.
  • Collaborate with database administrators, application owners, solution architects, and other stakeholders to understand data requirements and deliver robust solutions.
  • Implement and manage data virtualization solutions, with a preference for experience in Denodo.
  • Ensure data quality, security, and compliance throughout the data lifecycle.
  • Document processes, architectures, and best practices for data engineering workflows
Qualifications
  • BS in relevant discipline plus minimum 3 years or more years of directly related experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of the job.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Security Clearance
  • Must be US Citizen
  • Work is performed onsite and therefore candidate must reside in the Albuquerque area.

Required Skills:

  • Knowledge in automation technologies such as Ansible, Puppet, or Chef.
  • Strong programming skills in Python and SQL.
  • Experience designing, developing, and consuming RESTful APIs and other API technologies to facilitate data integration and interoperability.
  • Experience with ETL/ELT tools and frameworks (e.g., dbt, PySpark).
  • Proven experience (3+ years) in data engineering, data pipeline development, and tool evaluation.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team.

Desired Skills:

  • Knowledge of data virtualization concepts and experience with Denodo preferred.
  • Hands-on experience with data orchestration tools such as Apache Airflow, Prefect, Luigi, or similar platforms for workflow automation and scheduling.
  • Familiarity with big data technologies (Hadoop, Spark, Kafka) is a plus.
  • Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and hybrid data architectures.
  • Experience integrating data pipelines with COTS and custom applications.
  • Strong understanding of data modeling, metadata management, and data governance.

About Us:

Edgewater Federal Solutions is a privately held government contracting firm located in Frederick, MD. The company was founded in 2002 with the vision of being highly recognized and admired for supporting customer missions through employee empowerment, exceptional services and timely delivery. Edgewater Federal Solutions is ISO 9001, 20000-1, 270001 certified, appraised at CMMI Level 3 Maturity for Development and Services, and has been named in the Top Workplaces in the Greater Washington Area Small Companies for 2018 through 2025. #LI-VA1

Employment Type: FULL_TIME