Senior Manufacturing Automation Engineer
Job Description
Job: Senior Manufacturing Automation Engineer
Location: Irvine, CA (On-site)
Type: Direct Hire (full-time, about 40 hours/week)
Pay range: $115,000–$145,000 per year (based on experience)
Travel: Up to 20% (some trips may be needed)
Physical: May lift up to 40 lbs; may need safety gear in lab/cleanroom/production areas
What you will do
You will help build and improve machines and equipment that make medical devices. You will make sure the equipment is safe, works well, and makes good quality parts.
Your main duties:
- Help choose, buy, and set up new machines
- Work with outside equipment vendors (the companies that build the machines)
- Write clear instructions and documents for the equipment
- Test machines to make sure they work the right way before using them in production
- Fix problems when machines or automated systems are not working right
- Design small parts/tools to help the process (like fixtures, holders, and mistake-proofing tools)
- Update work instructions, maintenance plans, spare parts lists, and training info
- Follow quality and safety rules used in medical device manufacturing
What you need (required)
- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering field (mechanical, manufacturing, electrical, mechatronics, or similar)
- 7+ years working with automation or manufacturing equipment (medical device or another highly regulated industry)
- Experience owning equipment from set-up through ongoing support (and making changes the right way)
- Able to read:
- mechanical drawings
- electrical schematics
- pneumatic (air) diagrams
- Strong troubleshooting, writing, and teamwork skills
- Knowledge of medical/quality rules (FDA, GMP, ISO 13485, change control)
- SolidWorks experience
Nice to have (preferred)
- Machine vision experience (like Cognex or Keyence)
- Robotics / servo motion / PLC or HMI equipment experience
- Experience creating maintenance plans and managing spare parts over time
Benefits (high level)
- Medical and dental insurance
- FSA / HSA options (company contributes to HSA)
- 401(k) with company match
- Annual equity grant
Meet Your Recruiter
Monica Kanini
Recruiter
As a Talent Acquisition Specialist, Monica is passionate about building meaningful relationships and delivering exceptional customer service to both clients and candidates. She is committed to creating positive hiring experiences while fostering a collaborative, team-oriented environment. Monica takes pride in understanding the unique needs of each client and connecting them with qualified talent that supports their business goals.
A graduate of Chapman University with a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor's degree in International Studies from United States International University, Monica brings a diverse perspective and strong business acumen to her role. She is driven by curiosity, enjoys learning from the people she meets, and is committed to continuous personal and professional growth. Monica is also an advocate for workplace well-being and believes that healthy, supportive work environments lead to stronger teams and better outcomes
Outside of work, Monica enjoys maintaining a balanced lifestyle by spending time with friends, taking weekend road trips, practicing yoga, running, and prioritizing her overall well-being. She is also the author of a self-help course focused on personal growth and resilience, inspired by her passion for helping others overcome life's challenges. When she's not staying active, she enjoys unwinding with a good book or treating herself to a relaxing spa day.