Senior Industrial Engineer

Senior Industrial Maintenance & Automation EngineerAbout the CompanyNovaris Search is partnered with a dynamic, high-growth manufacturing organization specializing in personal care and specialty products. They operate state-of-the-art production facilities with sophisticated filling, packaging, and automation systems serving a diverse, quality-conscious customer base. They're scaling rapidly and building a culture where hands-on technical expertise directly drives operational excellence and business growth.RoleOur client is seeking a highly skilled, hands-on Senior Industrial Maintenance & Automation Engineer to maintain, troubleshoot, repair, modify, and improve manufacturing equipment and production lines.The ideal candidate combines the practical skills of an experienced industrial mechanic with the technical capabilities of an automation and manufacturing engineer.Key Responsibilities1. Equipment Troubleshooting & RepairIndependently diagnose and repair mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and electromechanical equipment failures.Troubleshoot filling machines, cappers, labelers, conveyors, mixers, pumps, packaging equipment, and other production machinery.Minimize production downtime through rapid, effective troubleshooting and repairs.Read and interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and equipment manuals.2. PLCs, Electrical Systems & AutomationTroubleshoot PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment, including sensors, actuators, motors, drives, and control systems.Diagnose issues involving PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servo motors, and automated production equipment.Modify or improve existing control systems and automation where appropriate.Work with external automation specialists and equipment manufacturers when necessary.3. Equipment Fabrication & ModificationDesign, fabricate, and install mechanical components, fixtures, brackets, guards, and equipment modifications.Perform or coordinate welding, machining, drilling, cutting, and mechanical assembly.Modify existing machinery to accommodate different products, packaging formats, and production requirements.Develop practical, cost-effective solutions to equipment limitations.4. Preventive MaintenanceDevelop and execute preventive maintenance schedules for manufacturing equipment.Perform routine inspections, adjustments, lubrication, calibration support, and component replacements.Maintain critical spare parts inventory and maintenance documentation.Identify potential equipment failures before they cause production interruptions.5. Production-Line Improvements & EngineeringIdentify opportunities to increase production speed, efficiency, reliability, and throughput.Design and implement equipment upgrades, automation improvements, and production-line modifications.Support the installation, commissioning, and qualification of new manufacturing equipment.Collaborate with production management to improve changeover times, reduce waste, and optimize equipment performance.Recommend new equipment, tooling, and technologies to support operational growth.Required Qualifications7+ years of hands-on experience in industrial maintenance, manufacturing equipment repair, automation, or a closely related field.Strong mechanical aptitude and demonstrated ability to independently diagnose and repair complex manufacturing equipment.Strong working knowledge of industrial electrical systems, motor controls, sensors, pneumatics, and hydraulics.Experience troubleshooting PLC-controlled equipment, preferably Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or comparable systems.Experience with automated filling, packaging, conveying, or similar production equipment.Ability to read electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and technical manuals.Experience with mechanical fabrication, equipment modification, and installation.Ability to independently prioritize repairs and work effectively in a fast-paced production environment.Working knowledge of industrial safety procedures, including lockout/tagout.Preferred QualificationsExperience in cosmetics, personal care, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, or other liquid manufacturing environments.Experience with liquid and viscous product filling systems, piston fillers, pumps, capping equipment, labeling systems, and automated packaging lines.Ability to troubleshoot and modify PLC programs and HMI configurations.Experience with welding, machining, CAD, or custom equipment fabrication.Experience integrating equipment into existing production lines.Knowledge of GMP manufacturing environments and applicable equipment safety requirements.Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field is a plus, but not required.Ideal CandidateOur client is looking for someone who is equally comfortable using tools on the production floor and developing technical solutions to improve manufacturing operations.This person should be able to independently repair a malfunctioning filling machine, troubleshoot an electrical or PLC issue, fabricate a custom machine component, and recommend improvements that make our production lines more efficient.This is not a desk-based engineering position. The successful candidate will be directly involved in hands-on equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, fabrication, and continuous improvement.