Automation Engineer Jobs in California

Company description

At Inneos, LLC, we design and manufacture advanced VCSEL-based optical components, subsystems, and end-user products for the medical, military, aerospace, and AI infrastructure markets. Our technology powers high-definition optical interconnects for operating rooms, flight control systems, and autonomous vehicle applications. As we continue to expand into high-speed datacom, optical sensing, and industrial automation, we are building the next generation of photonic and high-speed electronic solutions.

With operations in Pleasanton, CA; Alpharetta, GA; and Zephyr Cove, NV, Inneos offers engineers the opportunity to solve challenging technical problems and develop innovative products from concept through production.

Position Summary:

Inneos is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to lead the selection, implementation, programming, qualification, and ongoing support of precision manufacturing equipment. This hands-on role will expand and improve manufacturing capabilities for optoelectronic components and assemblies. The engineer will own equipment performance in production and drive improvements in uptime, throughput, process repeatability, and yield.

Key Responsibilities:

Equipment selection & qualification

• Identify automation opportunities; evaluate equipment, suppliers, capabilities, and cost.
• Lead equipment specification, procurement support, installation, integration, commissioning, and qualification.
• Establish acceptance criteria and ensure equipment is ready for reliable production.

Programming & process development

• Program, configure, and optimize equipment, motion sequences, recipes, and process parameters.
• Develop robust, repeatable processes, operating procedures, and process controls; integrate equipment into existing workflows.

Production ownership & improvement

• Own production equipment performance, reliability, and maintenance; provide hands-on troubleshooting and technical support.
• Investigate equipment failures, process variation, and yield issues; determine root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Improve uptime, throughput, repeatability, and capacity; develop preventive maintenance plans and support operator training.

Fixtures, tooling & mechanical solutions

• Design and prototype fixtures, tooling, and mechanical solutions for equipment integration, product handling, alignment, and assembly.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 5 - 10+ years of hands-on engineering experience in an electronics manufacturing environment supporting precision automated equipment.
• Experience with several of the following: precision pick-and-place, wire bonding, automated adhesive dispensing, precision alignment/assembly, and micron-level metrology.
• Demonstrated ability to select, program, qualify, troubleshoot, and maintain automated equipment, from initial evaluation through production deployment and sustaining support.
• Strong mechanical aptitude, practical problem-solving skills, and ability to work independently across engineering, manufacturing, and operations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in precision optoelectronic, semiconductor, microelectronics, photonics, or other high-precision manufacturing.
• SolidWorks or equivalent CAD; fixture/tooling design; manual or CNC machining; and/or 3D printing and rapid prototyping.
• Experience with machine vision, motion control, robotics, automated inspection, SPC, process capability, or manufacturing data analysis.
• Experience working with equipment suppliers and developing custom automation solutions

Travel Requirements :

• Frequency: Occasional travel (typically 10% – 15%).
• Scope: May include domestic travel between Inneos locations (Pleasanton, CA; Alpharetta, GA; Zephyr Cove, NV) or visits to key manufacturing partners and customer sites as needed for product deployment, NPI bring-up, or supplier collaboration.

Why Join Inneos?

This role offers direct ownership across the entire product lifecycle—from initial engineering decisions to factory floor deployment. Candidates who thrive on multi-disciplinary engineering, fast-paced execution, and hands-on problem solving will quickly gain high-impact technical leadership in a collaborative, agile environment.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $120,000.00 - $160,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status?

Ability to Commute:

• Pleasanton, CA 94588 (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Pleasanton, CA 94588: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person