Senior Automation/Controls Engineer

Summary: VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for telecommunications, cloud, enterprises, first responders, military, aerospace, and railway. VIAVI is also a leader in light management technologies for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, government and aerospace applications.

We are the people behind the products that help keep the world connected at home, school, work, at play, and everywhere in between. VIAVI employees are passionate about supporting customer success and we welcome people who bring their best every day to the company – to question, to collaborate and to push for solutions that will delight our customers.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Role

VIAVI Solutions manufactures advanced optical thin-film and pigment coating products across a 24/7 production environment in Santa Rosa, CA, with additional sites in China and Arizona. This Controls Engineer position balances two priorities: keeping automation running in an active manufacturing operation, and leading new capital project work — machine installations, system upgrades, and next-generation automation platforms. For the right candidate, this role has a clear path into engineering leadership and management of VIAVI's Automation Controls group.

⚙ Manufacturing Support

Resolve PLC/HMI faults rapidly to restore production

Support planned maintenance windows and change deployments

Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions

Improve control logic, alarming, and system reliability

Partner closely with maintenance and operations teams

 New Capital Projects

Own automation scope on new machine installations

Define PLC/HMI/network architecture for new systems

Manage vendors, FAT/SAT, and project documentation

Commission and validate systems into Operations

Key Responsibilities

Design, develop, and maintain PLC and HMI systems for manufacturing equipment

Commission new automation hardware and software; integrate with existing infrastructure

Configure and commission motor drives, motion systems, and closed-loop control systems

Design and administer SQL databases; manage industrial networks (Profibus, Ethernet/IP, OPC)

Maintain source control, documentation, and change records for all control system work

Lead or contribute to capital project scoping, scheduling, and execution

Mentor junior engineers; collaborate across Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering teams

Demonstrate communication and leadership skills aligned with future management growth

Pre-Requisites / Skills / Experience Requirements:

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls, Automation, or equivalent experience

5+ years in industrial controls/automation in a manufacturing environment

PLC programming: Siemens Step 7 / TIA Portal or Mitsubishi GX Developer

Experience supporting automation in 24/7 or continuous production environments

Programming with Visual Studio, C#

End-to-end ownership of capital project automation scope

HMI development, industrial networking, SQL databases, source code management

Strong troubleshooting skills; ability to read electrical schematics and P&IDs

Excellent communication skills; occasional international travel required

Preferred Skills

Allen-Bradley / Rockwell or Honeywell PLC platforms

LabVIEW, Wonderware System Platform, Oracle, Linux, Windows administration

Vision systems, vacuum coating processes, optics knowledge

Prior team-lead experience

Leadership & Management Growth Path — High performers will have the opportunity to eventually lead the Controls team technically and move into formal management of VIAVI's Automation Controls Engineering group. Growth is supported through stretch assignments, leadership visibility, and formal development planning.

If you have what it takes to push boundaries and seize opportunities, apply to join our team today.

Job Posting Pay Range: 134,400 to 249,600

Exceptional qualifications, experience and location may impact salary. VIAVI offers a competitive benefits package that includes paid time off, health, life and disability insurance, 401(k), and a bonus program.