Automation Engineer - Nampa, ID

Overall Job Summary

This role will support the reliability, performance, and continuous improvement of automated material handling systems across distribution centers.  The Automation Engineer partners with vendors, system integrators, maintenance, and operations to keep material flowing safely and efficiently.  Access to controls varies by site and subsystem: at many sites, the engineer will have direct PLC/HMI access for conveyor and ancillary equipment.  For larger vendor‑controlled platforms (e.g., KNAPP shuttle/ASRS or similar), direct code access may be restricted.  In those cases, this role will lead coordination with OEMs/integrators for code changes, manage performance tracking and reporting, and drive issue resolution through structured workflows and change control.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Min 5%)

• Monitor automation health (throughput, uptime, MTBF/MTTR, error codes) and drive daily/weekly review rhythms with site teams.
• Triage incidents, perform first-level diagnostics using SCADA/HMI/WES dashboards, and open/coordinate tickets with OEMs/integrators; track through to verified resolution.
• When access is permitted (e.g., conveyor PLCs): implement minor parameter/timer adjustments or safe bypass/restore routines under approved MOC and rollback plans. When access is restricted (e.g., KNAPP shuttles/ASRS): coordinate OEM/integrator interventions for any code-level change.
• Maintain accurate documentation of system configurations, network/electrical drawings, change logs, and SOPs.
• Serve as the primary engineering point of contact with equipment OEMs and software vendors; manage issue escalation paths and SLAs.
• Collect and package evidence (fault logs, data traces, videos) for vendor analysis; validate fixes via test plans and acceptance criteria.
• Plan and coordinate remote and on-site vendor interventions, ensuring alignment with operations windows and safety requirements.
• Build and maintain performance dashboards (e.g., OEE, backlog, flow rates, choke-point analysis) using available data sources (WMS/WES/WCS/PLC tags, historian, CMMS).
• Identify recurring faults and systemic constraints; recommend and prioritize improvements with quantified impact.
• Partner with maintenance to drive preventive/predictive strategies and update PM tasks based on failure analysis.
• Support handoffs and integrations between WMS, WES, WCS, robotics, and conveyance systems; participate in FAT/SAT, commissioning, and ramp.
• Draft user requirements, acceptance criteria, and rollback plans for changes; coordinate cutovers and smoke tests.
• Contribute to simulation/modeling reviews to validate expected rates and buffer strategies.
• Operate under tiered, site-specific access policies.
• Conveyor/ancillary PLCs: changes may be executed directly by the Automation Engineer under change control and LOTO. Vendor-controlled platforms (e.g., KNAPP shuttle/ASRS): changes are executed via OEM/integrator channels with documented approvals and acceptance testing.
• Ensure adherence to LOTO, electrical safety, and MOC (Management of Change) standards.
• Provide training and job aids to operations and maintenance on safe and effective system use.
• Conveyors/sorters/ancillary devices: direct engineering access to PLC/HMI is common for diagnostics and limited changes under governance.
• Shuttle/ASRS/complex robotics: vendor-mediated access; engineer lead coordination, testing, and performance validation.

Required Qualifications

Experience: 1–3 years’ experience in automation, controls, industrial engineering, or reliability in distribution/logistics or manufacturing.  Exposure to PLC/HMI environments (Siemens or Allen Bradley) sufficient to read logic/diagnose at a high level; ability to implement minor parameter changes where permitted; direct programming experience a plus but not required.  Experience coordinating OEMs/integrators and closing out technical tickets to measurable outcomes.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (Electrical, Controls, Mechatronics, Industrial, or related) preferred.  Technical diploma, apprenticeship, or relevant vendor certifications (e.g., Siemens SITRAIN, Rockwell University) considered in lieu of a four-year degree.  Any combination of education and experience will be considered.

Professional Certifications: None

Preferred knowledge, skills or abilities

• Systems thinking across conveyors, robotics/ASRS, WES/WMS, and control layers
• Ability to map data flows and dependencies
• Proficiency pulling and analyzing operational data; familiarity with SQL, Python, R, or BI tools (e.g., Power BI/Tableau) is a plus
• Strong problem-solving, documentation, and communication skills
• Comfortable running cross-functional standups and vendor calls
• Ability to read electrical schematics and P&IDs
• Understanding of industrial networking fundamentals.

Working Conditions

Physical Requirements

Disclaimer

This job description represents an overview of the responsibilities for the above referenced position.  It is not intended to represent a comprehensive list of responsibilities.  A team member should perform all duties as assigned by his/ her supervisor.

Company Info

At Tractor Supply and Petsense by Tractor Supply, our Team Members are the heart of our success. Their dedication, passion, and hard work drive everything we do, and we are committed to supporting them with a comprehensive and accessible total reward package. We understand the evolving needs of our Team Members and their families, and we strive to offer meaningful, competitive, and sustainable benefits that support their well-being today and in the future.

Our benefits extend beyond medical, dental, and vision coverage, including company-paid life and disability insurance, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and family planning resources such as adoption and surrogacy assistance, for all full-time Team Members and all part-time Team Members. Part time new hires gain eligibility for TSC Benefits by averaging at least 15 hours per week during their 90-day lookback period. The lookback period starts the first of the month following the date of hire. If the 15-hour requirement was met, the benefits eligibility date will be the first day of the month following 4 months of continuous service.

Please visit this link (https://www.tractorsupply.careers/content/Our-Benefits/?locale=en_US) for more specific information about the benefits and leave policies applicable to the position you’re applying for.