Automation Engineer IV

Job description

An Amazing Career Opportunity for an Automation Engineer IV!! Location: Austin, Texas Job ID: 50960 HID Global is seeking a Automation Engineer to be an integral member of the Manufacturing Engineering team in Austin. This role is essential for developing and optimizing production equipment with a focus on equipment functionality, efficiency and performance. The Automation Engineer is a hands‑on developer and builder of manufacturing automation equipment, responsible for designing, developing, modifying, and optimizing solutions to meet HID‑specific manufacturing needs. This role requires actively researching and learning the automation equipment market to inform development decisions and accelerate implementation. The engineer will take a practical, build‑focused approach—developing equipment from the ground up when required, or creating hybrid solutions by modifying and enhancing commercially available or internally developed base equipment. This includes designing custom features, add‑ons, and performance improvements to ensure each solution is purpose‑built, robust, and optimized for HID’s use cases. Who are we? HID powers the trusted identities of the world’s people, places, and things, allowing people to transact safely, work productively and travel freely. We are a high-tech software company headquartered in Austin, TX, with over 4,500 worldwide employees. Check us out here: and Physical Access Control Solutions (PACS): HID Physical Access Control Solutions (PACS) is at the forefront of securing spaces with advanced, reliable access control solutions. From cutting-edge readers, credentials and controllers, to mobile and biometric technologies, HID PACS empowers organizations worldwide to protect their people, property and assets with scalable, high-quality solutions. This is more than just a job – it’s your chance to join an industry leader to drive innovation in access control and make a real impact on global security solutions. Are you ready to make a difference? Join us and help shape the future of security. As our Automation Engineer IV, you’ll support HID’s success by: Designing, building, and developing custom automation equipment and tooling to support HID manufacturing requirements, from early concept through production‑ready deployment. Performing hands‑on mechanical, electrical, and controls development, including fabrication, assembly, integration, testing, and iteration of automation systems. Researching and learning the automation equipment market to inform development strategies and identify opportunities to accelerate builds through hybrid solutions. Developing automation solutions using a build‑from‑scratch approach when required, or by modifying and enhancing commercially available or internally developed base equipment. Designing and implementing custom features, add‑ons, and performance enhancements to existing equipment to meet HID‑specific use cases. Modifying new or existing internal equipment designs to add functionality, improve reliability, increase throughput, or enable new product capabilities. Owning the prototype‑to‑production lifecycle, including proof‑of‑concept builds, validation testing, production handoff, and post‑launch optimization. Troubleshooting and debugging mechanical, electrical, software, and system‑level issues directly on the equipment. Collaborating closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Quality, and suppliers to ensure equipment designs are robust, manufacturable, and support production goals. Creating and maintaining technical documentation including design concepts, schematics, drawings, test results, and build instructions. Identifying continuous improvement opportunities and implementing design changes that improve equipment performance, uptime, and scalability. Partnering closely with Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and Production teams to identify automation opportunities based on real‑world operational pain points, capacity constraints, quality risks, and safety concerns. Observing and analyzing existing manufacturing processes on the shop floor to define functional requirements and automation concepts that directly address current and future production needs. Translating operational requirements into practical automation solutions, balancing technical feasibility, development effort, cost, and long‑term scalability. Leading the hands‑on development of automation solutions, including concept generation, design trade studies, prototyping, testing, and iterative refinement. Evaluating existing equipment and processes to determine when modification, enhancement, or partial automation is the most effective solution versus full replacement. Supporting deployment of automation into production, including on‑site debugging, optimization, operator support, and early‑life issue resolution. Acting as a technical problem solver during production challenges, identifying when automation improvements or design changes are required to restore or improve performance. Collaborating with suppliers and internal teams to integrate externally sourced equipment into HID operations, ensuring required modifications and custom features are developed in‑house where needed. Contributing to standardization and reuse of automation concepts, designs, and components to improve development efficiency across projects. Your Experience and Background include: Desired Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or similar field. 7+ years of Engineering Equipment Development experience. Have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. Must be a dependable team player, able to work independently in a fast-paced environment and be proficient at conflict resolution. Demonstrated experience in hands‑on design, build, and modification of automation equipment in a manufacturing or production environment. Proven ability to translate operational problems into practical automation solutions, with direct involvement in development and implementation. Experience developing automation systems using a hybrid approach, including modifying commercial off‑the‑shelf equipment and adding custom mechanical, electrical, or controls features. Strong background in mechanical and/or electrical system design, including component selection, integration, and troubleshooting. Experience building and iterating prototypes, proof‑of‑concept systems, and production automation. Working knowledge of automation controls, sensors, actuators, motion systems, vision systems, and industrial safety concepts. Vision systems experience a plus. Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, or process optimization concepts as they relate to automation. Strong collaboration skills with Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and external suppliers. Ability to document designs, modifications, and build standards clearly to support repeatability and long‑term maintainability. What we can offer you: Competitive salary and rewards package Competitive benefits and annual leave offering, allowing for work-life balance A vibrant, welcoming & inclusive culture Extensive career development opportunities and resources to maximize your potential To be a part of a global organization that is pioneering the hardware, software and services that allow people to confidently navigate the physical and digital worlds Why apply? Empowerment: You’ll work as part of a global team in a flexible work environment, learning and enhancing your expertise. We welcome an opportunity to meet you and learn about your unique talents, skills, and experiences. You don’t need to check all the boxes. If you have most of the skills and experience, we want you to apply. Innovation: You embrace challenges and want to drive change. We are open to ideas, including flexible work arrangements, job sharing or part-time job seekers. Integrity: You are results-orientated, reliable, and straightforward and value being treated accordingly. We want all our employees to be themselves, to feel appreciated and accepted. HID does not accept unsolicited resumes from headhunters, recruitment agencies, or fee-based recruitment services. We are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. HID is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce that reflects the global communities we serve. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. Our goal is to create a workplace that empowers everyone to thrive and be their authentic selves, fostering an environment of mutual respect and inclusivity. If you have a disability and require assistance or accommodation to participate in the application process or to perform essential job functions, please contact . At times, HID may use AI-assisted technology to help our Talent Acquisition team review applications by identifying job-related qualifications, skills, and experience in résumés and comparing them with the requirements of the role. The technology supports recruiter review but does not make hiring decisions. A member of our Talent Acquisition team reviews each application before any selection decision is made. Information processed by the tool is deleted once the recruiter's review is complete. We make it easier for people to get where they want to go! On an average day, think of how many times you tap, twist, tag, push or swipe to get access, find information, connect with others or track something. HID technology is behind billions of interactions, in more than 100 countries. We help you create a verified, trusted identity that can get you where you need to go – without having to think about it. When you join our HID team, you’ll also be part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, the global leader in access solutions. You’ll have 63,000 colleagues in more than 70 different countries. We empower our people to build their career around their aspirations and our ambitions – supporting them with regular feedback, training, and development opportunities. Our colleagues think broadly about where they can make the most impact, and we encourage them to grow their role locally, regionally, or even internationally. As we welcome new people on board, it’s important to us to have diverse, inclusive teams, and we value different perspectives and experiences. #LI-HIDGlobal