Senior Automation Engineer

MCT Division - Main Campus, Milford, New Hampshire, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 4 : 00 AM

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Milford, New Hampshire (USA), Hitchiner Manufacturing Co., Inc. is the premier supplier of complete-to-print, high-volume, complex thin-wall investment castings and fully-finished casting-based subassemblies and components to industry. The company leads the industry in volume production, reduced lead-times and just-in-time manufacturing. Hitchiner produces castings in hundreds of different alloys for a broad spectrum of global markets and customers that include the leaders in the automotive, aerospace, and other industries.

We offer an enriching environment where learning and growing become part of your career. Hitchiner is dedicated to fostering the professional growth and development of our employees. We offer upward mobility and internal promotions.

Hitchiner offers highly competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including :

• Onsite state of the art Gym / Fitness Center, open 24 / 7 for all employees
• Medical and Dental Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Basic and Accidental Life Insurance (company paid)
• Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance (company paid)
• 401K (pre-tax and ROTH) with Excellent Company Match and Immediate Vesting
• Company Profit Sharing Plan
• 3 weeks' Vacation to start; 4 weeks' Vacation at 5 Years; 5 weeks' Vacation at 10 years seniority
• We set you up for success with our "Center for Excellence" onsite training center for new hires and existing employees to improve new learning and continuous growth
• Training and Educational Assistance Programs

Prime Responsibilities and Major Factors in Evaluating Performance :

1.Explore, conceptualize, prototype, evaluate, validate, launch and iterate new mechanical, electro-mechanical and other innovative technologies and methodologies that have the potential to significantly improve safety, manufacturing efficiencies, quality, integration and throughput.

2.Achieve cost savings through leveraging vertical integration efforts, opportunities crossing plant boundaries, etc.

3.Review existing automation and lead the efforts to identify opportunities to improve overall safety, manufacturing efficiencies, quality, integration and throughput.

4.Work with finance group to develop capital justification and process request through approvals

5.Work with Procurement when evaluating equipment suppliers, negotiating contracts and managing financial milestones and assist in writing performance requirements for potential automation projects.

6.Develop specifications for automated equipment.

7.Define, implement and enforce methodologies, standards and policies for deployed projects.

8.Implement the use of automation for various production applications

9.Identify, communicate, and gain consensus on needed technical resources for deployment and sustainment of automation projects. Provide "technical" leadership from deployment onward to those resources within the Hitchiner matrix organizational structure.

10.Train shop floor personnel and maintenance / engineering technicians on the operation and troubleshooting of automated equipment.

11.The Automation Manager will liaise with Manufacturing, Facilities, Process Development, Quality Assurance, Research, and Project Management in developing requirements and recommendations for automation system modifications / upgrades / retrofits.

12.Meet regularly with plant leaders to influence growth or new process and equipment technologies and methodologies across the organizations.

13.Working with the Production, Maintenance, and Engineering departments, as well as outside contractors to troubleshoot problems on the production line to minimize downtime and to support continuous process improvement

14.Collaborate with all functions, including R&D throughout equipment development

15.Develop process automation strategy. Communicate the strategy and gain its understanding amongst all stakeholders. Execute against that strategy.

16.Develop and design infrastructure processes to ensure tracking, documentation and upgrades to all equipment

Additional Responsibilities :

1.Provide oversight, leadership and support for the US and international facilities, as requested.

2.Observe the Hitchiner code of conduct, safety and quality principles.

3.Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications : 1.B.S. degree in Engineering, Robotics, or related discipline 2.A minimum of 10 years' experience in the specification, development, testing, integration, and validation of automated manufacturing equipment 3.Working knowledge of system communications and ability to configure system interfaces via industry standards, e.g., OPC, XML, Modbus, etc. 4.Working knowledge in the test and use of diagnostic equipment. 5.Ability to manage multiple projects 6.Lean Six Sigma experience – Green Belt preferred or Black Belt 7.Microsoft Office proficiency required 8.Ability to effectively present technical information and communicate with all levels of the organization. 9.Significant experience in industrial type equipment. 10.Ability to think beyond standard engineering solutions and move the organization forward with minimal supervision is necessary for this position.

We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, the presence of a non-job-related medical condition or handicap, or any other legally protected status. EOE / Veterans / Disabled are encouraged to apply.

Job Function 1.2A - First / Mid Level Officials and Managers - Managers

MCT Division - Main Campus, Milford, New Hampshire, United States of America

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