Duties & Responsibilities: The RoleVIAVI Solutions manufactures advanced optical thin-film and pigment coating products across a 24/7 production environment in Santa Rosa, CA, with additional sites in China and Arizona. This Controls Engineer position balances two priorities: keeping automation running in an active manufacturing operation, and leading new capital project work - machine installations, system upgrades, and next-generation automation platforms. For the right candidate, this role has a clear path into engineering leadership and management of VIAVI's Automation Controls group.
⚙ Manufacturing Support- Resolve PLC/HMI faults rapidly to restore production
- Support planned maintenance windows and change deployments
- Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions
- Improve control logic, alarming, and system reliability
- Partner closely with maintenance and operations teams
🔧 New Capital Projects- Own automation scope on new machine installations
- Define PLC/HMI/network architecture for new systems
- Manage vendors, FAT/SAT, and project documentation
- Commission and validate systems into Operations
Key Responsibilities- Design, develop, and maintain PLC and HMI systems for manufacturing equipment
- Commission new automation hardware and software; integrate with existing infrastructure
- Configure and commission motor drives, motion systems, and closed-loop control systems
- Design and administer SQL databases; manage industrial networks (Profibus, Ethernet/IP, OPC)
- Maintain source control, documentation, and change records for all control system work
- Lead or contribute to capital project scoping, scheduling, and execution
- Mentor junior engineers; collaborate across Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering teams
- Demonstrate communication and leadership skills aligned with future management growth
Pre-Requisites / Skills / Experience Requirements: Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls, Automation, or equivalent experience
- 5+ years in industrial controls/automation in a manufacturing environment
- PLC programming: Siemens Step 7 / TIA Portal or Mitsubishi GX Developer
- Experience supporting automation in 24/7 or continuous production environments
- Programming with Visual Studio, C#
- End-to-end ownership of capital project automation scope
- HMI development, industrial networking, SQL databases, source code management
- Strong troubleshooting skills; ability to read electrical schematics and P&IDs
- Excellent communication skills; occasional international travel required
Preferred Skills
- Allen-Bradley / Rockwell or Honeywell PLC platforms
- LabVIEW, Wonderware System Platform, Oracle, Linux, Windows administration
- Vision systems, vacuum coating processes, optics knowledge
- Prior team-lead experience
Leadership & Management Growth Path - High performers will have the opportunity to eventually lead the Controls team technically and move into formal management of VIAVI's Automation Controls Engineering group. Growth is supported through stretch assignments, leadership visibility, and formal development planning.
If you have what it takes to push boundaries and seize opportunities, apply to join our team today.
Job Posting Pay Range:134,400
to
249,600
Exceptional qualifications, experience and location may impact salary. VIAVI offers a competitive benefits package that includes paid time off, health, life and disability insurance, 401(k), and a bonus program.
