Independent Contractor Automation Engineer Contract Jobs in California

Manufacturing and Automation Engineer

Kalon Executive Search is partnering with a growing organization in the manufacturing and consumer products industry to identify an experienced Manufacturing and Automation Engineer. This role is ideal for an engineering professional with strong hands-on automation and controls experience who enjoys improving manufacturing processes, leading capital projects, and implementing innovative technologies to increase efficiency and reliability.

The Manufacturing and Automation Engineer will support manufacturing and packaging operations by evaluating, designing, implementing, and optimizing automated systems and equipment. This position will play a key role in improving throughput, Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), equipment reliability, product quality, and operational efficiency while reducing downtime and waste.

***This is an onsite position in San Diego, CA.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead automation, controls, and systems engineering initiatives across manufacturing and packaging operations.
• Evaluate, specify, procure, install, commission, optimize, and support the lifecycle management of manufacturing, packaging, automation, and robotics equipment.
• Partner with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, and other cross-functional teams to improve equipment reliability, product quality, throughput, and operator effectiveness.
• Analyze equipment and manufacturing performance to identify bottlenecks and implement improvements that increase throughput, improve OEE, reduce downtime, and minimize waste.
• Troubleshoot complex manufacturing and packaging equipment issues involving PLCs, HMIs, vision systems, sensors, servo systems, robotics, industrial networks, and machine communications.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action initiatives while developing standardized troubleshooting procedures and technical documentation.
• Support integration and communication between manufacturing equipment, packaging systems, OEE platforms, MES, SCADA, and enterprise reporting systems.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, work instructions, troubleshooting guides, startup and shutdown procedures, equipment manuals, and other technical documentation.
• Create and maintain equipment setup, changeover, inspection, cleaning, and preventive maintenance procedures and checklists.
• Develop and maintain automation standards, controls documentation, network architecture diagrams, equipment specifications, and system validation records.
• Provide technical training and support to operators, mechanics, technicians, and engineering personnel on automation systems and equipment.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, OEE, and other manufacturing methodologies to improve reliability, productivity, and operational performance.
• Develop and implement changeover reduction strategies to improve manufacturing flexibility and line efficiency.
• Lead automation and controls activities associated with capital projects, new equipment installations, facility expansions, utility upgrades, and manufacturing line improvements.
• Develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, technical specifications, and commissioning plans while coordinating contractors, vendors, OEMs, and system integrators.
• Support Industry 4.0 initiatives, including connected equipment, machine data collection, smart factory technologies, predictive maintenance, cloud-based analytics, and data-driven manufacturing solutions.
• Develop and maintain machine-to-machine and machine-to-system connectivity using industrial communication protocols such as OPC UA, MQTT, Ethernet/IP, Profinet, and Modbus TCP.
• Identify opportunities to improve automation, manufacturing processes, equipment reliability, and overall operational performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related engineering field.
• Seven or more years of hands-on experience with production and packaging automation systems, preferably within pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, supplement, food, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
• Hands-on experience with bottling lines, liquid filling equipment, labeling systems, case packers, conveyors, and other downstream packaging equipment.
• Experience with vision inspection systems, servo drives, robotics, palletizers, pick-and-place systems, and automated material handling equipment.
• Strong PLC programming experience with platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar systems.
• Experience configuring and troubleshooting HMI and SCADA systems.
• Strong understanding of industrial networking and communication protocols, including Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus TCP, or similar technologies.
• Experience integrating and programming robotic systems such as ABB, FANUC, Yaskawa, or similar platforms.
• Experience with automated Clean-In-Place (CIP) systems, including programming, validation, optimization, and troubleshooting preferred.
• Experience with Industry 4.0, industrial IoT, smart manufacturing, machine data collection, and manufacturing analytics preferred.
• Experience supporting capital equipment projects from specification and procurement through installation, commissioning, and optimization.
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, OEE, continuous improvement, and root cause analysis.
• Lean certification, such as Green Belt or Black Belt, highly preferred.
• Experience working with PLC programming software such as Rockwell Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal, or Schneider EcoStruxure.
• Experience with HMI/SCADA platforms such as FactoryTalk View, Ignition, Wonderware, or similar systems.
• Familiarity with robotics programming and simulation platforms.
• Experience reviewing mechanical and electrical layouts using CAD software such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks Electrical, or EPLAN.
• Experience with data acquisition, SQL databases, advanced Excel, MES, ERP, or manufacturing analytics systems preferred.
• Strong project management, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, IT, and other cross-functional teams.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Compensation: $124,000-$150,000 base salary, depending on experience

If this sounds like the position you have been waiting for, please apply using the online application or the link below - all inquiries are strictly confidential. Our focus is to assist you to make your best next career move, and we will not use your information for any other purpose.

Kalon Executive Search is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

www.KalonSearch.com