AprilAire · 18 hours ago
Automation Engineer
Madison, WI
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
5+ years expAprilAire is seeking an Automation Engineer - New Equipment Integration to oversee the successful commissioning and stabilization of automated manufacturing equipment. The role involves leading projects from design review to production ramp-up while ensuring safety, quality, and long-term reliability through cross-functional collaboration and troubleshooting.
Consumer ElectronicsHealth CareHome Health CareRetail
Responsibilities
Own the technical execution of new automated equipment from design review through stable production
Travel to vendor facilities for: Design reviews, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Runoffs and sign-offs
Lead Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), commissioning, and startup at AprilAire facilities
Drive first-article testing, process validation, and production qualification
Own the first 90 days of production, including: Throughput stabilization, Scrap and defect reduction, Reliability improvements, Root cause and corrective action for launch issues
Serve as the primary engineering point of contact during ramp-up prior to handoff to Operations and Maintenance
Lead or support the design, development, and implementation of PLC- and touchscreen-based automation systems: Development and documentation of process requirements, Selection of PLCs, HMIs, sensors, servos, motors, VFDs, safety systems, and enclosures, Creation of I/O lists and control architectures, Review and approval of vendor electrical and control designs
Perform: First I/O checkout, Debugging and commissioning of automated systems, Final system validation and documentation
Modify PLC, HMI, and PC-based software to resolve issues discovered during startup and production ramp
Lead capital equipment projects involving custom automation, integrated production systems, and controls upgrades
Ensure: Conformance to AprilAire engineering, controls, and component standards, Compliance with OSHA, ANSI, NEC, and internal safety requirements, Adherence to approved budget, scope, and timeline, Operational suitability for production staff, Achievement of quality and performance targets
Coordinate and manage: External integrators and equipment vendors, Internal Maintenance, Engineering Technicians, and Operations resources
Prepare and maintain documentation required for equipment turnover to Production and Plant Maintenance
Serve as the highest-level automation and controls troubleshooter during equipment launch
Diagnose and resolve electrical, mechanical, and controls issues, including: 480V/230V/240V/120V power systems, 24VDC control systems
Implement permanent engineering solutions to recurring or systemic problems
Identify replacement components for obsolete or unavailable parts
Maintain records of design changes, control modifications, and equipment improvements
Recommend and implement performance enhancements to improve: Throughput, Uptime, Quality, Safety
Work collaboratively with Product Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Maintenance to ensure seamless equipment integration
Act as technical liaison with vendors to obtain information, services, and materials required for successful implementation
Provide training materials and technical guidance to Maintenance and Production teams
Represent Manufacturing Engineering on product and equipment design teams as assigned
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in manufacturing, mechanical, electrical, or controls engineering, or other closely related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
5+ years of general manufacturing machine or process design experience required to assure full project accountability from concept through project completion
Valid driver's license
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in the development of automated control systems
Knowledge of drafting standards
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming
Knowledge of selection, programming, implementing, and troubleshooting PLCs and user interface touch screens
Ability to identify measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system
Ability to determine how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes
Ability to manage one's own time and the time of others
Ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations)
Strong mathematical skills, including: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry
Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, radios, and proportions to practical situations
Ability to choose the right mathematical methods for formulas to solve problems
Very strong problem-solving skills, including: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables
Company
AprilAire
Aprilaire provides healthy air systems to maintain the indoor air quality in homes.
501-1000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
AprilAire has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (3)
2024 (2)
2023 (2)
2022 (4)
2021 (3)
2020 (2)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Cory Recknor
Chief Financial Officer
Recent News
2025-08-22
Research and Markets
2025-07-29
Google Patent
2025-05-06
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