Job Title: MEP Engineer
Job Description
The MEP Engineer contributes to the design, integration, and continuous improvement of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and industrial automation controls across North American manufacturing sites. This role focuses on disciplined compliance with ISA-95 standards, robust MES implementation, and reliable data analysis to enhance manufacturing processes. The Automation Engineer leads and supports MES rollouts, defines and implements user and functional requirements, and ensures network, system, and SQL database performance that meets business needs. The position plays a key role in capital planning for controls and MES, standardization of automation systems, and implementation of upgrades that improve automation, safety, and security.
Responsibilities
• Design, program, purchase, install, modify, and maintain MES integrations for North American manufacturing operations.
• Ensure disciplined compliance with ISA-95 standards and implement MES solutions that improve manufacturing processes and data analysis.
• Support MES implementation and rollout across North America, including coordination of activities at multiple sites.
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams to define user and functional requirements for MES and translate these requirements into system design and configuration.
• Provide continuous improvement of MES and industrial automation control systems to support evolving business needs.
• Develop automation solutions and MES applications that align with operational and business requirements.
• Ensure MES data integrity and backups comply with company record retention policies.
• Monitor and optimize network and system performance to meet MES user needs, including SQL database administration and performance tuning.
• Complete educational and technical training to continuously improve MES, industrial automation, and machine network capabilities.
• Contribute to the prioritization and development of capital requirements for MES hardware, software, and implementation activities.
• Participate in creating and maintaining a five-year capital plan for controls, software, software maintenance, and data acquisition systems.
• Contribute to the development and enforcement of North America and site standards for MES and control systems, including equipment and programming guidelines.
• Support plant-wide standards for control systems equipment and promote adherence to these standards in equipment purchases.
• Assist site resources with the design and integration of controls and MES for capital projects and replacement of obsolete control systems, sharing best practices across plants.
• Implement system upgrades that enhance automation, safety, and security within manufacturing operations.
• Develop and maintain a consolidated inventory of control systems and related equipment for all North American plants.
• Lead teams focused on improving automation performance and reliability.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to integrate MES with ERP systems, including transitions to SAP S/4HANA using Restful APIs for schedules, counts, and machine and labor hours.
• Support integration with industrial control systems, including PLCs and related platforms.
• Travel to manufacturing sites as needed (approximately 25%) to support projects, implementations, and standardization efforts.
Essential Skills
• 3–5 years of experience in industrial manufacturing, including controls and MES integration.
• Experience working on multi-site projects.
• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or an applicable engineering technology field.
• Advanced knowledge of programming languages and SQL databases, including database administration and application development.
• Proficiency with Python and scripting languages for automation and data-related tasks.
• Experience with SQL database agents and related tools for scheduling and automation.
• Hands-on experience with Inductive Automation Ignition, including Vision and Perspective modules and platform development.
• Web services programming experience within the Ignition platform, including laboratory applications.
• Experience integrating MES with ERP systems, including scheduling, production counts, and machine and labor hours using Restful APIs.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 25% as needed.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
• Experience with multi-site MES and controls projects is preferred.
• Experience with integration to SAP S/4HANA is a plus.
• Experience with process modeling and AI is a plus.
• Experience interfacing with industrial control systems and PLC programming is a plus.
• Knowledge of Rockwell/Allen-Bradley control systems.
• Knowledge of Siemens automation platforms.
• Experience with Inductive Automation Ignition in broader industrial contexts.
• Familiarity with Wonderware and WinCC platforms.
• Ability to contribute to standardization of controls and MES across multiple plants.
• Capability to lead cross-functional teams focused on automation improvements.
Work Environment
The Automation Engineer works in a dynamic industrial manufacturing environment that includes both office and plant-floor settings across multiple North American sites. The role involves close collaboration with operations, engineering, and IT teams to implement and support MES and automation solutions. The position requires regular use of industrial automation platforms, MES software, SQL databases, ERP integration tools, and networked machine systems. Travel to various manufacturing locations, estimated at approximately 25%, is required to support implementation, standardization, and continuous improvement activities. The environment emphasizes safety, adherence to engineering and automation standards, and ongoing professional development through training in MES, industrial automation, and machine networking technologies.
Job Type & Location This is a Permanent position based out of Reading, PA.
Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $100000.00/yr.
Will obtain from customer. Will obtain from customer. Will obtain from customer. Will obtain from customer.
Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Reading,PA.
Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Aug 18, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
$90000-$100000 per year Employment Type: Full-Time