Associate Engineer, Manufacturing Equipment

About the Role

As part of the Celestica Global Automation (CGA) team, you are an entry-level Developing Controls Engineer with a strong technical foundation, structural logic, and high learning agility. Celestica is committed to empowering early-career engineering talent through a structured developmental pathway designed to cultivate technical mechanics, baseline software logic, and problem abstraction capabilities. Our core goal is to accelerate your professional growth toward becoming a Senior Automation Engineer capable of high-level solution conceptualization and global engineering execution.

In this role, you will operate across a balanced operational model comprising 60% Turn-Key projects with external automation integrators and 40% In-House control developments. You will bridge basic engineering mechanics with hands-on project accompaniment, defined requirements gathering, supplier technical evaluations, component procurement tracking, and shop-floor commissioning.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Process Gathering & Scoping: Conduct shop-floor process audits and technical data gathering on existing manufacturing lines to baseline cycle times, identify automation bottlenecks, and define physical and electrical interface boundaries.
• Requirements Documentation & Validation: Author and maintain foundational project documentation—including User Requirement Specifications (URS) and Statement of Work (SOW) protocols—to validate new automation concepts and ensure technical alignment across sites.
• Supplier Proposal Evaluation & Bidding: Participate in RFQ processes by evaluating vendor technical proposals, reviewing component selections, and benchmarking proposed Turn-Key solutions (60% operational scope) against Celestica standards.
• In-House Controls Development & Engineering Support: Assist senior architects in designing and programming basic control architectures (40% operational scope), structuring PLC logic routines, configuring HMI layouts, and setting up industrial communication protocols.
• Procurement & Import Logistics Tracking: Track the technical supply chain lifecycle for control hardware, sensors, and automation tooling—monitoring Purchase Order (PO) creation, vendor execution, material arrival, and customs logistics.
• Equipment Release & Shop-Floor Commissioning: Support the hands-on verification and validation of automated machinery through signal continuity testing, control panel wiring audits (timbrado de tableros), and execution of Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) protocols.
• Project Planning & Data Analysis: Maintain structured project tracking schedules, cost tracking, forecasts, and executive status updates using Excel and Smartsheet tools to ensure project execution remains on time and on budget.
• Cross-Site Communication & Reporting: Participate in weekly global team calls and cross-site engineering syncs, creating status update decks and executive summaries to share progress with executive leadership. (English 100%)
• Continuous Engineering Development: Actively engage in technical mentorship, learning programs, and cross-functional collaborations to build advanced competencies in systems architecture and problem abstraction.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Programming & Logic Fundamentals: Strong baseline structural logic, clean programming mechanics, and familiarity with structured logic concepts (e.g., PLCs, C/C++, Python, or ladder logic).
• Schematic & Diagram Reading: Proven ability to read, interpret, and trace industrial electrical schematics, control cabinet layouts, and pneumatic circuit diagrams.
• Control Panel & Hardware Verification: Basic hands-on familiarity with shop-floor signal tracing, sensor wiring, and control panel continuity testing (timbrado de tableros).
• Organized Project Tracking & Data Analysis: Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Smartsheet for tracking project milestones, organizing datasets, structuring tables, and updating progress schedules.
• Bilingual Communication: Professional written and verbal communication skills in both English and Spanish (minimum B2 level) to coordinate effectively with global teams and site managers.
• Learning Agility & Abstract Reasoning: High personal hunger to learn, strong problem-solving orientation, and adaptability in fast-changing manufacturing environments.
• Team Integration & Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work productively within cross-functional teams, participate actively in group problem-solving, and align with safety regulations.

Nice To Have Skills

• Control Hardware & Software Exposure: Exposure to major industrial PLC environments (e.g., Siemens TIA Portal, Allen-Bradley Studio 5000) or HMI/SCADA configurations.
• Robotics & Industrial Vision: Baseline exposure to industrial robots (e.g., Fanuc, Kuka, ABB, Universal Robots) or 2D machine vision sensors (e.g., Cognex, Keyence).
• Advanced Perception & Specialty Processes: Familiarity with advanced perception algorithms (e.g., computer vision frameworks), precision fluid dispensing, or automated functional testing principles.
• CAD & Engineering Design: Experience with SolidWorks or AutoCAD Electrical for basic 3D model viewing and electrical drawing modifications.
• Financial & Commercial Basics: Foundational understanding of project CapEx tracking, Purchase Order workflows, vendor negotiations, or financial payback metrics (ROI).
• Manufacturing & ERP Systems: Basic exposure to corporate ERP systems (such as SAP) and standard quality methodologies (8D, FMEA, SPC).

Physical Demands

• Expectation of travel to vendor/supplier locations and other Celestica sites is less than 10% of the time. However, travel may temporarily increase during critical project life cycle phases, such as on-site FAT buy-offs, equipment commissioning, and line transfers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics, Electrical, Mechanical, Electronic, Computer, or Robotics Engineering.