Job Overview

As a valued member of the Minnesota Metals (Medical Subcomponents) Manufacturing Engineering team at TE Connectivity, the Staff Manufacturing Engineer plays a critical role in driving innovation, reliability, and efficiency across manufacturing operations. This role serves as a site‑level automation technical specialist, leading the execution of complex automation and equipment projects from concept through commissioning, validation, and production handoff. 

The Staff Manufacturing Engineer applies deep technical expertise to influence cross‑functional teams, collaborate with external automation integrators, and deliver compliant, scalable manufacturing solutions within a regulated medical device environment. By leveraging automation technologies, data‑driven problem-solving, and strong engineering fundamentals, this role directly contributes to improved safety, quality, throughput, and cost performance across laser-cutting, welding, and ablation applications. 

This position reports to the MSP‑Metals Manufacturing Engineering Manager and is 100% on-site at the Plymouth, Minnesota facitlity. 

Responsibilities 

• Safety & machine risk ownership. 
• Technical project planning ownership. 
• Serve as an in‑house technical expert for site‑level automation systems, including PLCs, motion control, robotics, machine vision, and integrated manufacturing equipment. 
• Lead the technical execution and risk mitigation of automation and equipment projects from feasibility through production release. 
• Design, develop, modify, and validate automation solutions supporting new product introduction and process optimization. 
• Develop and validate fixtures, tooling, and test setups to support automated manufacturing processes. 
• Act as the primary technical interface with external automation integrators and equipment suppliers. 
• Lead technical design reviews, define acceptance criteria, and ensure alignment to functional, safety, and regulatory requirements. 
• Develop and review URS, FS, and SDS documentation to support capital equipment procurement. 
• Support SAP‑related activities for capital equipment, including purchase requisitions, changes, asset documentation, and lifecycle tracking. 
• Plan, execute, and document Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) activities. 
• Coordinate and support equipment validation activities (IQ/OQ/PQ) in collaboration with Quality and Validation teams. 
• Ensure all automation, equipment, and process documentation is complete, accurate, and audit‑ready. 
• Create and maintain SOPs, work instructions, validation protocols, and training materials supporting new automation deployments. 
• Ensure compliance with ISO 13485, GMP, QSR, and internal TE standards. 
• Analyze equipment performance metrics (OEE, MTTR, MTTF, MTBF) to identify reliability risks and opportunities for improvement. 
• Apply data‑driven and automated solutions to reduce downtime, improve yield, and enhance process robustness. 
• Develop localized dashboards or analytical tools to monitor automation performance, project deliverables, and realized benefits using standardized metrics. 
• Support continuous improvement initiatives aligned with TE Operating Advantage and Lean methodologies. 
• Lead cross‑functional technical discussions with Manufacturing, Quality, R&D, Automation, and external partners without direct authority. 
• Influence technical decisions through structured problem‑solving, data analysis, and engineering expertise. 
• Provide technical mentoring and informal guidance to engineers, technicians, and operators related to automation systems and equipment. 

Job Requirements

Key Skills 

• Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills applied to manufacturing and automation challenges 
• Effective verbal and written communication skills in cross‑functional and regulated environments 
• Experience developing, troubleshooting, and modifying industrial automation logic and scripts 
• Proficiency with industrial programming environments (PLC, HMI, motion control, vision systems) 
• Experience supporting automation software testing, debugging, and validation activities 
• Understanding of industrial control systems, including PLCs, SCADA, and HMIs 
• Working knowledge of robotics, motion systems, and machine control principles 
• Experience writing technical documentation, protocols, and validation reports 
• Proficiency with CAD tools (SolidWorks, ProE) for fixtures, tooling, and equipment layouts and design. 
• Experience with laser manufacturing equipment (cutting, welding, ablation) is a plus. 
• Experience using Python or similar tools for data analysis, diagnostics, or automation support 

What your background should look like

Qualifications 

• BA/BS  Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or Automation Engineering. 
• A master's degree in robotics or control systems is a plus. 
• Min 8+ years of experience in manufacturing automation.  
• Strong PLC/HMI/vision experience.  
• Strong experience with CAD Software 
• Experience with integrators, SAP, FAT/SAT, and validation in regulated environments. 
• Certified Automation Professional (CAP) is a plus

Competencies