Lead MFG Automation Engineer

Bring more to life.

Are you ready to accelerate your potential and make a real difference within life sciences, diagnostics and biotechnology?

At Cepheid, one of Danaher’s 15+ operating companies, our work saves lives—and we’re all united by a shared commitment to innovate for tangible impact.

You’ll thrive in a culture of belonging where you and your unique viewpoint matter. And by harnessing Danaher’s system of continuous improvement, you help turn ideas into impact – innovating at the speed of life.

At Cepheid, we are passionate about improving health care through fast, accurate, molecular diagnostic systems and tests. As a member of our team, you’ll get to make an immediate, measurable impact on a global scale, within an environment that fosters career growth and development. Our mission drives us to develop groundbreaking solutions for the world’s most complex health challenges. Together, we bring MORE change to the world.

Learn about the Danaher Business System, which makes everything possible.

The Lead MFG Automation Engineer (Mechanical/Controls) is responsible for applying engineering principles to the planning, design, development, documentation, testing, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of automated manufacturing equipment, instruments, systems, and related processes that support reliable production performance.

This position reports to the Sr. Manager, MFG Automation Engineering and is part of the MFG Automation Engineering department located in Lodi, CA, and will be an on-site role.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Define, govern, and continuously improve controls architecture, programming standards, and reliability strategies for automated manufacturing systems.
• Lead systemic failure investigations and drive corrective actions for chronic, high-impact automation issues. Drive improvements in manufacturing KPIs (OEE, MTBF, throughput, yield, Cycle time) through mechanical and controls optimization and modernization initiatives.
• Partner cross-functionally with Process, Maintenance, Quality, IT/OT, and EHS to ensure safe, compliant, and robust automation solutions.
• Mentor and develop Senior and Mid-level Automation Engineers, elevating overall engineering capability and technical rigor.
• Provide expert input into capital projects, OEM selection, equipment design reviews, and automation roadmaps.

The essential requirements of the job include:

• Bachelor’s degree in: Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Mechanical engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Industrial Engineering with 8+ years of related work experience OR Master’s degree in field with 6+ years of related work experience OR Doctoral degree in field with 3+ years of work experience
• Industrial Automation Expertise: Deep hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley ControlLogix PLCs, servo systems, robotics, vision systems, and electrical safety standards in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Advanced Troubleshooting & Reliability Engineering: Proven ability to lead complex root cause investigations and implement long-term solutions using FMEA, RCA, Fault Tree Analysis, and other reliability-focused methodologies.
• Technical Leadership: Demonstrated success leading cross-functional automation projects, influencing engineering, maintenance, quality, and operations teams, while mentoring engineers and technicians
• Controls Architecture & SCADA Systems: Experience developing and deploying engineering standards across multiple production lines, with advanced expertise in SCADA platforms (Ignition, FactoryTalk, or equivalent) for system monitoring, data acquisition, and performance optimization

Travel, Motor Vehicle Record & Physical/Environment Requirements:

• Ability to work on-site in a manufacturing environment and support equipment-related activities as needed.
• Ability to lift, move, or carry tools, components, or equipment consistent with site safety requirements.

It would be a plus if you also possess previous experience in:

• Hands-on experience with electro-mechanical equipment in an automated manufacturing or production environment.
• Experience using Six Sigma or continuous improvement tools to improve reliability, quality, or process performance.

Cepheid, a Danaher operating company, offers a broad array of comprehensive, competitive benefit programs that add value to our lives. Whether it’s a health care program or paid time off, our programs contribute to life beyond the job. Check ou