Senior MES Automation Engineer (1697202) $90-130k per year
Tinley Park, IL
Full Time; Direct Hire

Lead the global deployment of in-house Manufacturing Execution System (MES) across its factories, ensuring seamless integration between shopfloor systems and enterprise data platforms. This includes conducting factory assessments, defining scope of work, identifying missing data and hardware, and implementing PLC coding and MES configuration to ensure accurate data flow from machines to the system.

Take ownership of MES system maintenance and troubleshooting across global manufacturing footprint (Europe, Americas, Asia-Pacific). Work closely with factories to diagnose and resolve data integrity issues, whether stemming from faulty sensors, incorrect configurations, or network inconsistencies.

Proactively identify and develop opportunities to leverage shopfloor data for process optimization, predictive maintenance, and operational efficiency. Collaborate with factory teams to analyze MES data, uncover insights, and implement data-driven improvements that enhance manufacturing performance. Work alongside software developers and digital transformation teams to continuously improve the system, integrating emerging technologies and best practices to maximize impact.

Ensure alignment with the Digital Team’s roadmap, meeting project deadlines and driving the successful development and implementation of Technology applications and enhancements. Actively contributes to the evolution of company’s smart factory initiatives, fostering innovation through advanced automation, analytics, and digital solutions.

Main challenges & complexity

This role operates within a diverse, fast paced, and evolving global manufacturing environment, requiring seamless collaboration with multiple stakeholders across different regions, including factory teams, corporate leadership, commissioning engineers, software developers, and external suppliers. Managing these varied interests and priorities while ensuring smooth deployment and aftercare of the MES system is a critical challenge.

The complexity of system integration across factories with varying architectures, network infrastructures, and automation platforms adds further challenges. Differences in hardware compatibility, industrial communication protocols, and cybersecurity requirements must be carefully managed to ensure robust and reliable MES functionality. Additionally, the local capability of factory teams varies significantly, requiring tailored training, hands-on support, and proactive troubleshooting to maintain system performance and adoption.

As MES deployment scales, the role must remain adaptable to new requirements, evolving technologies, AI-driven analytics, and cross-functional collaborations—both within Company and with partner companies. This requires a flexible and solution-oriented approach to problem-solving, ensuring that digital transformation initiatives align with manufacturing goals.

The role also demands the ability to work under tight deadlines in a dynamic factory environment, balancing the simultaneous rollout of multiple projects while ensuring continuous system improvements.

Travel from a few days a month to international site visits lasting 1–2 weeks at a time – 20% travel.  Travel within North/South America and occasional travel to Europe and Asia to support factory onboarding, troubleshoot issues, and oversee deployments.

Main activities

1. Factory Assessment & Scope Definition

• Conduct plant surveys to evaluate the current automation landscape, identifying missing data points, hardware gaps, and network limitations required for MES deployment.
• Develop detailed design proposals that define the scope of work for MES Production Order Control implementation.

1. System Integration & Data Flow Design

• Determine the optimal communication routes for seamless data transfer between machine/line control PLCs, MES, and SCADA systems.
• Design and implement PLC networks, ensuring secure and efficient industrial communication (e.g., OPC UA, Profinet, Modbus, Ethernet/IP).
• Interface with instrumentation, sensors, and process control equipment to capture relevant production data.

1. Implementation & Commissioning

• Execute PLC programming and hardware modifications in collaboration with plant electrical teams, ensuring compliance with approved designs and standards.
• Program and configure a range of PLCs (Allen Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff, Omron, etc.) to facilitate MES data collection and machine control.
• Validate and troubleshoot MES integration, ensuring accurate, real-time data flow from shopfloor equipment to MES servers.

1. System Validation & Continuous Monitoring

• Conduct thorough data validation tests to ensure collected information is accurate, reliable, and aligned with business requirements.
• Diagnose and resolve system issues, including faulty sensors, incorrect PLC configurations, and data integrity discrepancies.

1. Enhancements & Innovation

• Analyze MES data to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and improvement opportunities in manufacturing processes.
• Collaborate with software developers, digital transformation teams, and factory engineers to design and implement innovative solutions.
• Research and introduce new digital technologies, including AI-driven analytics, predictive maintenance solutions, and process automation enhancements.

1. Project Management & Coordination

• Plan and coordinate MES deployment projects, ensuring timely execution across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Maintain effective communication with Operations, stakeholders, IT teams, and plant personnel, ensuring smooth rollouts and ongoing system adoption.
• Provide training and knowledge transfer to local teams to enhance MES system understanding and long-term sustainability.

1. System Maintenance & Global Support

• Provide ongoing system support to factories worldwide, troubleshooting issues and coordinating with software developers for advanced problem resolution.
• Gather feedback from end-users and operations teams to drive continuous MES system enhancements and refinements.

1. Safety & Compliance

• Promote a safety-first culture, ensuring all automation and MES solutions comply with company and industry safety standards.
• Uphold company values while driving digital transformation and innovation in manufacturing operations.

Knowledge

Some competence in a foreign language would be desirable, as the job will require networking with a multicultural team.

Professional and academic qualifications – Essential/Required:

•    Engineering Degree in a related discipline is required.

A range of electrical, control, PLC, MES experience relating to the deployment of bespoke factory manufacturing execution system (SmartLine).

Experience and Key competences

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of proven experience in industrial automation, MES/SCADA systems, and machine control in high-tech manufacturing environments (battery systems, FMCG, etc.).
• Hands-on experience in the design, commissioning, and validation of automation, electrical, and control systems for machines and high-speed production lines.
• Expertise in developing and standardizing automation solutions, including PLC, HMI, robotics, and SCADA systems.
• Experience in RFQ preparation, vendor selection, and supplier management for automation projects, from prototype solutions to full-scale.
• Integration of MES with production equipment, ensuring real-time data exchange and traceability.
• Strong background in automation safety standards (CMSE® certification preferred).
• Project management skills, including stakeholder coordination, scheduling, and risk assessment.

Technical Skills & Competencies:

• MES & SCADA Systems: 
  • Deep understanding of MES data flow from PLCs to databases/cloud platforms (e.g., Azure, SQL, MongoDB).
  • Experience in designing and implementing data handling solutions to optimize manufacturing processes, including product traceability, telemetry and process monitoring
• PLC & HMI Programming: Expertise in Siemens TIA Portal, Beckhoff TwinCAT, and Allen Bradley. Ability to modify and optimize PLC code for data collection, automation control, and troubleshooting.
• Industrial Networking & Protocols: Proficiency in OPC UA, Profinet, Modbus, Ethernet-IP for seamless communication between industrial devices.
• Data Analytics & Visualization: Experience using Power BI, SQL, Python, Excel and C# to develop data-driven insights from automation systems.
• Machine Connectivity & IIoT: Strong understanding of IoT sensors, vision systems (Keyence), and conveyor integration.
• Electrical & Control Panel Design: Ability to review and approve electrical schematics, network topologies, and control system layouts.
• System Standardization & Best Practices: Development of automation and electrical standards to ensure scalable, safe, and connected factory solutions.
• Microsoft office

Soft skill:

• Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking, with a data-driven approach to manufacturing optimization.
• Ability to lead automation teams, train operators, and collaborate with industrialization, IT, and manufacturing teams.
• Passionate about continuous improvement, digitalization, and Industry 4.0 solutions.
• Strong communication skills for engaging with suppliers, plant engineers, corporate stakeholders, and IT teams.

Benefits include a Competitive Compensation, Salary and Pay, Tuition Assistance, Employer Paid Healthcare coverage for Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drugs, Flexible Spending Accounts, Wellness Programs, Paid Time off, 401K, Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability Plan, and a Short-Term Disability Plan 

NOTE: No sponsorship is available for this role. US Citizenship, Green Card or TN Visa is needed.

UPON APPLYING:
You’ll likely receive an immediate chatbot with basic questions, then upon receiving your timely answers it’s possible that you’ll receive additional outreach of emails, texts and/or telephone calls from our recruiting firm if you’re being considered for this or another similar position.  Upon their recommendations after having discussed the position with you, it can lead to phone, virtual, and face-to-face conversations, and interviews with hiring managers at the company.

If the job description, location, and compensation, align with your qualifications, we encourage you to apply. To explore additional opportunities, visit our website job board: confidentsearchconsultants.com 

Confident Search Consultants, a division of Confident Staffing, specializes in connecting engineers with exceptional career opportunities across the United States.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Employees and applicants are provided a full and fair opportunity for employment, career advancement, and access to programs without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability (physical or mental), sex, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, or parental status, and will not be discriminated against for any other legally protected group or status.