Automation Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Automation Systems Engineer

Job Description

This Automation Systems Engineer role focuses on designing, programming, integrating, commissioning, and supporting advanced automated manufacturing systems. You will work across robotics, controls, motion, vision, and mechanical disciplines to take projects from concept through production deployment. The position offers a balance of innovation and hands-on work, with significant involvement in R&D, system design, and production-floor support to expand in-house automation capabilities and drive next-generation manufacturing solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement automated manufacturing equipment and robotic systems from initial concept through full production deployment.
• Program and integrate industrial robots, motion systems, vision systems, PLCs, and custom automation solutions.
• Lead automation projects through the complete engineering lifecycle, including concept development, detailed design, testing, commissioning, validation, and ongoing production support.
• Support capital expansion initiatives and automation projects across manufacturing operations.
• Develop and optimize robotic applications using industrial robotic platforms, with a strong emphasis on FANUC robotics.
• Program robotic motion paths for assembly, material handling, machine tending, inspection, and other manufacturing processes.
• Design and implement precision motion control applications involving multi-axis automation equipment.
• Troubleshoot and optimize robotic and motion control systems to improve performance and reliability.
• Develop and integrate machine vision solutions for inspection, quality verification, alignment, guidance, localization, and automation feedback loops.
• Integrate vision systems with robotic controllers, PLCs, and manufacturing equipment.
• Support the development of advanced inspection technologies within an internal automation R&D environment.
• Lead complete equipment integration efforts internally to reduce reliance on third-party design firms.
• Conduct hardware and software integration of robotics, controls, vision systems, sensors, tooling, and mechanical assemblies.
• Participate in Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), vendor evaluations, site acceptance activities, and commissioning efforts.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues during machine startup and production deployment.
• Work within an automation R&D laboratory to evaluate emerging technologies and develop proof-of-concept automation solutions.
• Build and test robotic cells and automation prototypes to validate new concepts.
• Identify process improvement opportunities and recommend innovative automation approaches.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, operations, and engineering teams to improve productivity, quality, and efficiency.
• Identify opportunities to automate manufacturing processes using robotics and advanced automation technologies.
• Lead automation projects from concept and testing through installation, validation, and production launch.
• Program, troubleshoot, and optimize FANUC robotic systems.
• Design robotic tooling, fixtures, grippers, and automation equipment using SolidWorks.
• Create robotic simulations and evaluate system performance, cycle times, and equipment layouts, including use of tools such as FANUC ROBOGUIDE.
• Build and test prototype automation systems to evaluate new technologies and manufacturing concepts.
• Work with vendors, machine builders, and system integrators to develop and implement automation solutions.
• Support and troubleshoot production automation systems, including robotic, mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and controls-related issues.
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement long-term corrective actions for automation issues.
• Improve existing automation systems to increase productivity, reliability, quality, and safety.
• Create engineering documentation, including drawings, procedures, operating instructions, and troubleshooting guides.
• Work directly on the manufacturing floor to debug hardware and software issues and support equipment startup and optimization.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience.
• 4+ years of experience in industrial automation, robotics, controls engineering, or machine integration.
• 3+ years of experience automating manufacturing equipment and processes.
• Experience taking automation projects from concept through commissioning and production deployment.
• Hands-on experience integrating software, controls, robotics, mechanical systems, and production equipment.
• Ability to troubleshoot systems both in an engineering environment and directly on the manufacturing floor.
• Strong understanding of robotics, manufacturing processes, and industrial automation.
• Experience programming and troubleshooting FANUC robots.
• Experience programming, commissioning, and troubleshooting industrial robotic systems.
• Ability to take automated equipment from concept, design, and programming through commissioning and production startup, ideally with integrator experience.
• Experience implementing vision-guided robotics, inspection systems, alignment, localization, or quality verification applications.
• PLC programming and industrial controls experience, including exposure to platforms such as Rockwell and Allen-Bradley PLCs.
• Experience with servo systems, motion control, robotics communication networks, and machine integration.
• Comfort working on the manufacturing floor using tools, debugging hardware and software issues, and supporting equipment startup.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks for automation equipment design.
• Experience designing tooling, fixtures, end-of-arm tooling, and robotic work cells.
• Ability to troubleshoot robotics, controls, sensors, and pneumatics.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work cross-functionally with engineering, operations, vendors, and leadership teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Direct experience programming and integrating FANUC robots, with additional experience in other platforms such as ABB considered valuable.
• Experience with industrial articulated robots, SCARA robots, precision motion systems, or other advanced automation platforms.
• Experience developing custom machine vision solutions for inspection and quality assurance.
• Experience working for a custom machine builder, systems integrator, automation integrator, or OEM automation equipment manufacturer.
• Experience with Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), commissioning, and startup activities.
• Experience developing high-precision automation systems for assembly, inspection, or manufacturing environments.
• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical or similar tools for electrical design and schematics.
• Education in electrical engineering, controls engineering, or related disciplines.
• Familiarity with SCADA systems and industrial automation software environments.
• Experience creating robotic simulations and evaluating system performance, cycle times, and layouts, including use of FANUC ROBOGUIDE or comparable tools.
• Demonstrated ability to identify process improvement opportunities and recommend innovative automation solutions.
• Comfort working in an innovative R&D environment focused on emerging technologies and advanced automation.

Work Environment

The work environment combines office and shop-floor settings, with approximately half of your time spent in each. You will work in an innovative R&D environment that emphasizes advanced automation, robotics, and continuous improvement. On the shop floor, you must follow all safety policies at all times and wear required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, closed-toe shoes, and ear protection where specified. The role involves physical activity, including the ability to lift up to 50 pounds and periods of extended sitting or standing. Travel may be required occasionally, estimated at less than 10% of the time. You will work closely with manufacturing equipment, robotic cells, motion systems, vision systems, and electrical and mechanical assemblies in a modern manufacturing facility that supports both development and production activities.

This is a Permanent position based out of Oregon City, OR.

The pay range for this position is $115000.00 - $130000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Take ownership of automation projects with direct impact on safety, production capacity, quality, and efficiency.Work at the forefront of manufacturing innovation, with opportunities to expand into AI-enabled technologies.Collaborate with a high-performing team of engineers pushing the boundaries of automation.Contribute to a culture of innovation, craftsmanship, and continuous improvement.

This is a fully onsite position in Oregon City,OR.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 15, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.