UFP Industries, Inc
Automation Engineer - Deckorators (Buffalo, NY)
UFP Industries, Inc, Buffalo, New York, United States, 14266
Deckorators, a brand of UFP Industries, is a leader in composite decking, railing, and outdoor living products. Our
Buffalo, New York plant is the newest and flagship location utilizing our proven and growing Surestone technology . This state-of-the-art extrusion and polymer manufacturing facility serves as a center of excellence for innovation, quality, and process automation across our network.
Job Summary The Automation Engineer will lead the implementation, integration, and support of automation and data systems at the Buffalo plant. This role focuses on driving process efficiency, system connectivity, and digital transformation within our extrusion and polymer operations. The Automation Engineer will collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, and IT to deliver smart, connected manufacturing solutions that enhance production reliability, safety, and quality.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Design, implement, and support
Industry 4.0
initiatives, including data acquisition and system integration.
Develop, test, and deploy
Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) ,
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) ,
Digital Quality Systems (QMS) , and other digital tools to enhance visibility and control on the production floor.
Design, develop, document, program, debug, and maintain automation
PLC/HMI/SCADA/MES
software.
Lead or support automation projects involving
extrusion line instrumentation
and
automated material handling systems .
Integrate process equipment with plant-wide systems to enable
real-time performance tracking and predictive maintenance .
Partner with process and quality engineers to develop and deploy
AI-driven and machine learning solutions
for quality improvement and process optimization.
Manage all project phases:
Needs Definition, Design/Build, and Installation/Startup , ensuring proper documentation and hand-off.
Support troubleshooting, upgrades, and optimization of existing automation systems to minimize downtime and improve
OEE .
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure automation systems meet
safety, quality, delivery, and cost
targets.
Provide technical guidance and training to maintenance and operations personnel.
Stay current on emerging technologies and recommend future automation opportunities to maintain plant competitiveness.
Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)
Bachelor's degree in
Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial, Controls, or Computer Engineering
(or related field).
5-10 years
of experience in
automation, controls engineering, or process optimization
within manufacturing;
extrusion or polymer experience preferred.
Proven ability to design, program, and troubleshoot
Rockwell FactoryTalk View ME & SE systems
and
Allen-Bradley PLCs
(MicroLogix, CompactLogix, ControlLogix).
Ability to validate and condition
PLC/MES data
to support process analysis and improvement.
Experience deploying
MES or plant-level integration platforms
such as Ignition; ERP interfacing preferred.
Working knowledge of
Python, Java , or other programming languages a strong plus.
Strong understanding of
manufacturing data systems, sensors, and connectivity
(OPC, SQL, Ethernet/IP).
Strong
electrical and mechanical troubleshooting
skills.
Knowledge of
VFDs, servos, and common system interfaces
(CIP, Fieldbus).
Proficiency in managing multiple automation projects from concept through commissioning.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Highly organized with demonstrated
project management capability
and attention to detail.
Required Experience
5-10 years
of control system programming experience across multiple platforms (Allen-Bradley, Red Lion, Siemens, Schneider).
5-10 years
of HMI/SCADA design experience (Ignition Perspective, FactoryTalk View, Crimson).
Knowledge of
common industrial networks
(EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, ControlNet).
Additional Details
Based full-time at the
Buffalo, NY flagship plant.
Limited travel to other Deckorators facilities may be required (up to 20%).
Opportunity to help shape automation standards and digital transformation strategy for the
Surestone
platform across the organization.
Compensation & Benefit Information Salary Pay Range:
$85,000-$120,000K annually dependent on experience* *pay range may be adjusted depending on cost of living
Bonus/Incentive Pay:
Annual performance bonus opportunity based on Company and specific business unit ROI and PBOP achievement criteria and individual job responsibility and performance.
Benefits currently offered to our employees:
Medical insurance
Health savings account with company contribution
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Basic and voluntary life insurance
Disability insurance
401(k) plan with company match
Paid vacation and holidays
Stock purchase program with employee discount
Educational reimbursement
Wellness programs and challenges
Other supplemental benefits
The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Buffalo, New York plant is the newest and flagship location utilizing our proven and growing Surestone technology . This state-of-the-art extrusion and polymer manufacturing facility serves as a center of excellence for innovation, quality, and process automation across our network.
Job Summary The Automation Engineer will lead the implementation, integration, and support of automation and data systems at the Buffalo plant. This role focuses on driving process efficiency, system connectivity, and digital transformation within our extrusion and polymer operations. The Automation Engineer will collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, and IT to deliver smart, connected manufacturing solutions that enhance production reliability, safety, and quality.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Design, implement, and support
Industry 4.0
initiatives, including data acquisition and system integration.
Develop, test, and deploy
Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) ,
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) ,
Digital Quality Systems (QMS) , and other digital tools to enhance visibility and control on the production floor.
Design, develop, document, program, debug, and maintain automation
PLC/HMI/SCADA/MES
software.
Lead or support automation projects involving
extrusion line instrumentation
and
automated material handling systems .
Integrate process equipment with plant-wide systems to enable
real-time performance tracking and predictive maintenance .
Partner with process and quality engineers to develop and deploy
AI-driven and machine learning solutions
for quality improvement and process optimization.
Manage all project phases:
Needs Definition, Design/Build, and Installation/Startup , ensuring proper documentation and hand-off.
Support troubleshooting, upgrades, and optimization of existing automation systems to minimize downtime and improve
OEE .
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure automation systems meet
safety, quality, delivery, and cost
targets.
Provide technical guidance and training to maintenance and operations personnel.
Stay current on emerging technologies and recommend future automation opportunities to maintain plant competitiveness.
Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)
Bachelor's degree in
Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial, Controls, or Computer Engineering
(or related field).
5-10 years
of experience in
automation, controls engineering, or process optimization
within manufacturing;
extrusion or polymer experience preferred.
Proven ability to design, program, and troubleshoot
Rockwell FactoryTalk View ME & SE systems
and
Allen-Bradley PLCs
(MicroLogix, CompactLogix, ControlLogix).
Ability to validate and condition
PLC/MES data
to support process analysis and improvement.
Experience deploying
MES or plant-level integration platforms
such as Ignition; ERP interfacing preferred.
Working knowledge of
Python, Java , or other programming languages a strong plus.
Strong understanding of
manufacturing data systems, sensors, and connectivity
(OPC, SQL, Ethernet/IP).
Strong
electrical and mechanical troubleshooting
skills.
Knowledge of
VFDs, servos, and common system interfaces
(CIP, Fieldbus).
Proficiency in managing multiple automation projects from concept through commissioning.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Highly organized with demonstrated
project management capability
and attention to detail.
Required Experience
5-10 years
of control system programming experience across multiple platforms (Allen-Bradley, Red Lion, Siemens, Schneider).
5-10 years
of HMI/SCADA design experience (Ignition Perspective, FactoryTalk View, Crimson).
Knowledge of
common industrial networks
(EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, ControlNet).
Additional Details
Based full-time at the
Buffalo, NY flagship plant.
Limited travel to other Deckorators facilities may be required (up to 20%).
Opportunity to help shape automation standards and digital transformation strategy for the
Surestone
platform across the organization.
Compensation & Benefit Information Salary Pay Range:
$85,000-$120,000K annually dependent on experience* *pay range may be adjusted depending on cost of living
Bonus/Incentive Pay:
Annual performance bonus opportunity based on Company and specific business unit ROI and PBOP achievement criteria and individual job responsibility and performance.
Benefits currently offered to our employees:
Medical insurance
Health savings account with company contribution
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Basic and voluntary life insurance
Disability insurance
401(k) plan with company match
Paid vacation and holidays
Stock purchase program with employee discount
Educational reimbursement
Wellness programs and challenges
Other supplemental benefits
The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr