Associate Automation & Robotics Engineer

Job Details:

Position Summary The Automation & Robotics Engineer I is an entry-level engineering role on the Manufacturing Automation team. It supports the deployment of robotic and automated systems across Tyson Foods production facilities, including palletizing, case packing, case erecting and packout. Working under direct supervision and alongside the team's Automation Managers, this person helps move projects from vendor build through installation, startup and handoff to plant operations. 

The role partners with plant operations, maintenance, FSQA, sanitation, Engineering, IT/OT, cybersecurity, procurement, equipment vendors (OEMs), integrators and contractors. Over time, the engineer will build the skills to own smaller deployments on their own and to help evaluate new automation opportunities. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Deployment & Commissioning 

• Support factory acceptance testing (FAT) at vendor facilities and site acceptance testing (SAT) at plants. Document results, open issues and punch lists. 

• Help with installation, startup and commissioning of robotic cells, palletizers, case packers and conveyance. Duties include on-site testing, accuracy checks and troubleshooting with vendor technicians. 

• Coordinate install-day logistics: equipment arrival, rigging and placement, utilities, electrical and network drops, swabbing and FSQA release, and sanitation protection of controls. 

• Support operator and maintenance training across shifts during startup, and provide follow-up support after go-live. 

Project Coordination & Administration 

• Maintain project schedules, milestone trackers, action items and meeting notes for weekly vendor and plant check-ins. 

• Track purchase orders, quotes, deliveries, asset numbers and capital project status. Help prepare monthly portfolio updates (investment, savings, install dates, robot/cell counts). 

• Act as a day-to-day contact for vendors, integrators and contractors (electrical, mechanical, racking) during deployments. 

IT/OT & Compliance 

• Coordinate network connectivity, vendor remote access and cybersecurity reviews for new automation equipment with IT/OT and security teams. 

• Make sure equipment meets Tyson sanitation, washdown, materials (e.g., stainless steel), food safety and safety standards. 

Opportunity Development & Continuous Improvement 

• Visit plants to learn their processes. Gather line data (case rates, weights, layouts, staffing) to help scope automation opportunities and build business cases (savings, ROI). 

• Update layouts and drawings with vendors and plant engineering. Help create reusable standard designs and documentation. 

• Support rollout and adoption of equipment-monitoring and plant data tools (e.g., condition monitoring, SCADA and connectivity projects), including follow-up on data quality. 

• Take part in vendor demos, technology evaluations and pilots (e.g., cobots, vision-guided picking, emerging robotics). 

General 

• Follow established engineering, safety, lockout/tagout, documentation and project management practices. 

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned. 

Requirements 

Education: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Industrial, Computer Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent education and experience. 

Experience: 0–2 years. Internship, co-op, capstone, robotics team, manufacturing or field-service experience preferred. Exposure to equipment installation or commissioning is a strong plus. 

Technical Skills: 

• Foundational knowledge of industrial robots, PLCs and HMIs, sensors and industrial networking. Basic PLC/robot programming or reading existing logic is preferred. 

• Ability to read mechanical layouts, electrical drawings and equipment specifications. CAD exposure (e.g., AutoCAD) is a plus. 

• Strong Excel skills for schedules, trackers and data analysis. Power BI, scripting or Python is a plus. 

• Basic understanding of IT/OT networking concepts. 

• Interest in growing into vision systems, IoT, machine learning and AI applications in manufacturing. 

Communication Skills: Clear written and verbal communication with plant staff, vendors and leadership. Comfortable running meetings, writing status updates and keeping action items moving. 

Special Skills: Hands-on troubleshooting mindset, ownership and follow-through, organization across multiple simultaneous projects, attention to detail, and willingness to learn. 

Physical / Work Environment: Work in production environments that may be cold, wet, noisy and subject to sanitation chemicals. Must wear required PPE and follow food safety and safety protocols. Must be able to work nights and weekends during installations and startups. 

Supervisory: None. 

Travel: Up to 50% travel to plants and vendor facilities, with heavier periods during installations.

* Not eligible for immigration/work authorization support now or in the future*

* Not eligible for relocation assistance *

All professional team members are expected to demonstrate responsible use of approved AI tools, including safeguarding sensitive information, adhering to company policies, and validating AI-generated outputs. Individual Contributors should demonstrate the ability to integrate AI into daily work, improve efficiency through AI-enabled solutions, evaluate outputs critically, and apply professional judgment when using AI. People Leaders should demonstrate the ability to drive responsible AI adoption, enable effective use of approved solutions, identify opportunities to improve team performance through AI, and ensure accountability for the quality and accuracy of AI-supported outcomes.

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

No

Work Shift:

1ST SHIFT (United States of America)

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Hourly Applicants ONLY -You must complete the task after submitting your application to provide additional information to be considered for employment.

The successful candidate(s) must be willing and able to perform the physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Tyson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, national origin, color, religion, age, genetics, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status.

We provide our team members and their families with paid time off; 401(k) plans; affordable health, life, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; and more.

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