Principal Automation Engineer

Locations: Staunton, VA | Cranberry Township, PA | Cranston, RI

Salary: $122,700 – $169,575 annually

Travel: Up to 50%, particularly during the initial period

Relocation Assistance: Available

Help Shape the Future of Manufacturing Automation

We're recruiting a Principal Automation Engineer for Cadence, a growing medical device contract development and manufacturing organization.

This is an opportunity for an experienced automation engineer who has progressed beyond designing and programming individual machines and is ready to influence automation strategy across multiple manufacturing facilities.

We're looking for someone who understands automation from the ground up. You've designed, developed, or implemented automated manufacturing equipment, worked through difficult technical problems, and understand what it takes to bring equipment from concept into production.

Now, you're equally comfortable working with automation integrators, evaluating technical solutions, developing equipment specifications, and guiding complex projects.

You'll serve as a corporate-level technical expert, helping Cadence develop new manufacturing capabilities, support customer programs, and establish consistent automation practices across its facilities.

What You'll Be Doing

Develop Automation Solutions for New Business

• Work with engineering, operations, and business development teams to evaluate new manufacturing opportunities.
• Develop automation concepts and recommend equipment and manufacturing approaches.
• Help prepare technical quotations, including equipment costs, engineering requirements, and project timelines.
• Participate in customer discussions and technical reviews.

Lead Automation Projects and Integrators

• Develop equipment requirements and User Requirement Specifications (URS).
• Evaluate, select, and manage automation integrators and equipment suppliers.
• Provide technical leadership throughout equipment design, development, installation, validation, and production launch.
• Work with project teams to resolve technical challenges and ensure equipment meets performance expectations.

Advance Automation Capabilities Across the Company

• Help establish corporate automation standards and best practices.
• Develop and maintain a network of qualified automation integrators and suppliers.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, including robotics, machine vision, controls, and advanced assembly systems.
• Lead collaboration between engineering teams at different manufacturing facilities.
• Mentor engineers and help develop long-term automation capabilities.

What We're Looking For

We're interested in engineers who have built a strong technical foundation in manufacturing automation and have progressed into broader technical leadership responsibilities.

Ideally, you'll bring:

• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing automation or related engineering disciplines.
• A strong hands-on foundation in automated equipment design, controls, robotics, or system integration.
• Experience managing automation integrators and capital equipment projects.
• Experience developing equipment specifications, including URS documents.
• The ability to evaluate automation concepts and develop practical manufacturing solutions.
• Experience taking automation projects from concept through installation and production.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work directly with customers, suppliers, and engineering leadership.
• A bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.

Experience in medical device manufacturing or another regulated industry is valuable, but not necessarily required.

You don't need to be the person programming every PLC or designing every machine. You do need to understand the technology well enough to challenge designs, evaluate suppliers, and guide projects toward successful outcomes.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This isn't simply another automation engineering position supporting one manufacturing facility.

You'll have the opportunity to influence how automation is developed and implemented across an entire organization.

The company is investing in advanced manufacturing capabilities, including opportunities to introduce more sophisticated automation into operations that currently rely on manual assembly.

You'll work on a variety of manufacturing challenges, collaborate with talented engineers across multiple facilities, and help establish the standards and technologies that will guide future automation investments.

Location and Travel

The preferred locations are Staunton, Virginia, and Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. Cranston, Rhode Island, is also an option.

The position involves travel between manufacturing facilities, particularly during the initial period, potentially up to 50%.

The role is primarily site-based, with some flexibility depending on business needs.

Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.

Interested in Learning More?

If your career has taken you from hands-on automation engineering into technical leadership, equipment development, and managing complex automation projects, I'd welcome the opportunity to review your background.

Apply through LinkedIn or submit your resume to EPS Connects.

Even if this particular position isn't the right fit, I'm always interested in connecting with experienced engineering professionals in advanced manufacturing.