Manufacturing Engineer - Automation

Work Schedule

First Shift (Days)

Environmental Conditions

Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards, Office, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)

Job Description

As a Manufacturing Engineer III at Thermo Fisher Scientific, you will provide hands-on engineering support for manufacturing equipment, automated production systems, and processes within a regulated GMP manufacturing environment. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys working directly with production teams and equipment on the manufacturing floor to troubleshoot technical issues, improve equipment performance, increase manufacturing efficiency, and implement sustainable process improvements.

You will support and optimize mechanical and automated manufacturing systems, including PLC-controlled equipment, robotics, automated processes, and vision systems. You will also lead equipment and process improvement projects, support new product introductions, execute equipment qualifications and process validations, and ensure manufacturing changes are implemented in accordance with GMP and applicable quality requirements.

This position works closely with Controls Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality Engineering, Maintenance, and R&D while maintaining a strong focus on production execution and manufacturing support.

What You Will Do

• Provide hands-on engineering support for mechanical, automated, and PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment in a GMP production environment.
• Troubleshoot equipment and manufacturing process issues, identify root causes, and implement effective corrective and preventive solutions.
• Work closely with controls engineers to optimize automation systems, robotics, manufacturing controls, sensors, and vision systems used within production.
• Lead manufacturing engineering projects from problem identification and technical assessment through implementation, qualification, and sustained performance.
• Lead or support equipment qualification and process validation activities, including IQ/OQ/PQ protocols, execution, documentation, and issue resolution.
• Support equipment installation, commissioning, upgrades, modifications, and production readiness.
• Partner with Quality to execute change controls, deviations, CAPAs, risk assessments, and other GMP documentation associated with equipment and process changes.
• Apply structured problem-solving and root-cause-analysis methodologies such as 5-Why, Fishbone, FMEA, and data-driven investigation techniques.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles to reduce downtime, scrap, cycle time, and manufacturing cost while improving productivity and quality.
• Support new product introductions and manufacturing transfers, ensuring equipment, processes, documentation, and production teams are prepared for successful implementation.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation, including SOPs, work instructions, engineering documentation, process specifications, validation documentation, and equipment-related procedures.
• Use CAD and other engineering tools to support equipment, tooling, fixture, and manufacturing process improvements.
• Partner cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Quality, Maintenance, Automation, R&D, and other functions to resolve manufacturing challenges and implement improvements.
• Manage multiple engineering projects and priorities in a dynamic manufacturing environment while maintaining strong attention to quality, compliance, safety, cost, and schedule.

Minimum Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline plus 3 years of relevant manufacturing engineering experience; OR bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline plus 5 years of relevant manufacturing engineering experience.  
• Hands-on experience supporting and troubleshooting mechanical and automated manufacturing equipment.
• Experience with manufacturing automation and control systems, such as PLCs, robotics, automated equipment, machine/vision systems, sensors, or related controls technologies.
• Experience with equipment qualification and/or process validation, including IQ/OQ/PQ or comparable qualification methodologies.
• Strong project-management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and structured problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience developing and maintaining manufacturing/engineering documentation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and relevant engineering/manufacturing software.
• Ability to work directly within manufacturing and cleanroom environments as required.
• Ability to travel up to 20%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Manufacturing, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Experience supporting Fanuc or other industrial robotics.
• Experience with PLC-controlled equipment and industrial automation platforms.
• Experience with machine vision systems such as Cognex, Keyence, or comparable technologies.
• Experience implementing or qualifying new automated manufacturing equipment.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or comparable continuous-improvement certification.
• Demonstrated application of Lean tools such as 5S, Kaizen, standard work, value-stream mapping, OEE, and waste reduction.
• Experience supporting new product introduction, manufacturing scale-up, or technology transfer into production.
• Experience delivering measurable improvements in equipment uptime, OEE, throughput, yield, cycle time, scrap, labor efficiency, or manufacturing cost.

What Success Looks Like

The strongest candidate will bring a combination of hands-on manufacturing engineering, automated/mechanical equipment expertise, and GMP experience. They will be comfortable spending time on the production floor diagnosing equipment and process problems, working with operators and technical teams, and implementing solutions within a controlled quality system.

This role is best suited for an engineer whose experience has been centered on supporting and improving manufacturing operations, rather than primarily R&D, laboratory development, or Quality functions.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range estimated for this position based in Connecticut is $110,000.00–$130,000.00.

This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

• A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs

• Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement

• At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy

• Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan

• Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount

For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards