The Senior Automation Machine Builder is a highly skilled technical position responsible for the mechanical assembly, integration, installation, troubleshooting, and commissioning of automated machinery and custom automation systems.
The Senior Machine Builder works closely with Engineering, Electrical, Controls, Project Management, and Manufacturing teams to ensure machines are built safely, accurately, efficiently, and to customer specifications. This role is expected to work independently, take ownership of complex builds, identify and resolve problems, and provide technical leadership and mentorship to other machine builders.
Key Responsibilities
Machine Assembly & Integration
- Build and assemble complex automated machinery from engineering drawings, CAD models, schematics, BOMs, and work instructions.
- Perform precision mechanical assembly, alignment, leveling, fitting, and adjustment of machine components.
- Install mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, conveyor, robotic, and other automation components.
- Interpret and work from detailed engineering drawings and 3D CAD models.
- Ensure machines are assembled according to design specifications, quality standards, and project requirements.
- Modify, fit, or fabricate components when required to achieve proper machine operation.
- Assist with machine installation and integration at customer facilities when required.
Debugging & Troubleshooting
- Identify and resolve mechanical, pneumatic, and system-level problems during machine build and debug.
- Work closely with Controls Engineers and Electrical Technicians to troubleshoot machine operation.
- Diagnose issues involving mechanical alignment, motion, sensors, actuators, tooling, conveyors, robotics, and machine sequencing.
- Make adjustments and improvements to machine functionality while maintaining design intent.
- Participate in machine debug, run-off, and Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT).
- Support troubleshooting and corrective actions following FAT and customer feedback.
Senior-Level Technical Leadership
- Take ownership of complex machine builds from initial assembly through successful FAT and shipment.
- Provide technical direction and mentorship to Junior and Intermediate Machine Builders.
- Help establish efficient assembly and build practices.
- Identify potential design, manufacturing, or assembly issues early and communicate them to Engineering and Project Management.
- Assist Engineering with design improvements based on practical build experience.
- Lead or assist with difficult mechanical troubleshooting and problem-solving activities.
- Help ensure projects remain on schedule by identifying bottlenecks and escalating issues early.
Quality & Documentation
- Maintain a high standard of workmanship and attention to detail.
- Verify completed assemblies against drawings, specifications, and quality requirements.
- Document design issues, modifications, deficiencies, and corrective actions.
- Maintain accurate build documentation and communicate changes to the appropriate departments.
- Ensure machines meet company quality standards before proceeding to debug, FAT, and shipment.
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience building custom automation machinery, special-purpose machinery, or industrial equipment.
- Strong ability to read and interpret mechanical engineering drawings and CAD models.
- Extensive mechanical assembly and machine-building experience.
- Strong understanding of mechanical systems, pneumatics, conveyors, tooling, robotics, and machine mechanisms.
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to use precision measurement tools and standard machine-building tools.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Ability to understand machine functionality and sequence of operation.
- Experience participating in machine debug and FAT.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with robotic automation and automated material handling systems.
- Experience with servo-driven machinery and motion systems.
- Experience with pneumatic and hydraulic systems.
- Experience with welding, fabrication, machining, or component modification.
- Experience working directly with customers during installation, debug, and commissioning.
- Experience leading other machine builders or acting as a technical lead.
- Experience working in a custom automation or machine-building environment.
- Ability to identify potential design-for-manufacturing and design-for-assembly improvements.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb, and work in various positions for extended periods.
- Ability to safely lift and handle machine components and tooling.
- Ability to work around industrial machinery and equipment.
- Ability to use hand tools, power tools, and precision measuring equipment.
- Ability to work occasional overtime and travel to customer sites when required.
Core Competencies
Technical Expertise — Advanced understanding of custom automation machinery and mechanical systems.
Problem Solving — Ability to quickly identify root causes and develop practical solutions.
Quality Focus — Takes pride in producing accurate, reliable, and professional machinery.
Ownership — Takes responsibility for the success of assigned machine builds and follows issues through to completion.
Leadership — Leads by example and provides guidance and mentorship to less experienced builders.
Communication — Clearly communicates issues, progress, and requirements to Engineering, Project Management, Controls, and other team members.
Adaptability — Comfortable working on unique, one-off automation projects where problems may not have an obvious solution.
Schedule Awareness — Understands the importance of meeting project milestones and proactively communicates issues that could affect schedule.
Success in the Role
A successful Senior Automation Machine Builder is more than an experienced assembler. They are a technical problem solver and leader who can take a machine from engineering drawings through mechanical build, debug, FAT, and shipment while maintaining quality, safety, and schedule.
The ideal candidate can look at a machine, understand how it is supposed to operate, identify what is preventing it from working correctly, and confidently determine the best path to a solution.
About Pineberry Manufacturing:
For over 40 years, Pineberry has become a global leader in Packaging Automation, Order Fulfilment and Print on Demand Solutions for brands and businesses in Food & Beverage, eCommerce, Pharmaceutical, Retail, and the Print and Packaging industries.
We design, manufacture and integrate our Friction Feeders, Print on Demand, and Sortation systems to automate end to end Order Fulfilment and Packaging Lines.
Pay: $30,000.00-$45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
