Automation Project Engineer II (Industrial Automation)

Location: Onsite in Santa Ana, California, five days per week; occasional travel to vendors and domestic and international hirify.global facilities is required.

Salary: $72,000–$91,588 per year.

Company

hirify.global provides grading, authentication, vaulting, and sales services for collectible trading cards, autographs, comic books, coins, video games, event tickets, and memorabilia.

What you will do

• Scope, design, develop, and implement automation equipment that replaces manual processes with more efficient, stable, and higher-quality operations.
• Troubleshoot PLC-based solutions using Allen Bradley and support equipment maintenance, repairs, calibration verification, and process stabilization.
• Develop and perform equipment validation at vendor sites, test sample parts and machines, and prepare associated reports.
• Apply 5S and lean manufacturing concepts to improve efficiency, quality, and safety.
• Perform root cause analysis and develop robust resolutions with Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Continuous Improvement teams.
• Document process steps, standardize work, identify improvement opportunities, and deliver engineering presentations internally and externally.

Requirements

• Four-year degree in Mechanical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a similar engineering discipline.
• 2–3 years of experience in industrial automation and high-volume manufacturing.
• Strong experience working with automation equipment vendors and suppliers.
• Experience with machine vision systems in both hardware and software.
• Familiarity with assembly tooling design and fixturing.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Advanced Google Suite or similar skills, strong problem-solving ability, curiosity, attention to detail, and willingness to take direction and learn new processes, systems, and tools.
• Ability to work in a deadline-sensitive environment.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods, work in office and warehouse environments around equipment and machinery, occasionally lift up to 20 pounds, and tolerate occasional machinery noise and warehouse temperature or humidity exposure.

Nice to have

• Experience with plastics welding, particularly ultrasonics, and injection molding.
• Familiarity with industrial safety standards and best practices.
• Experience with 5S, Lean, JIT, or Kaizen approaches.
• Ability to manage individual tasks and deadlines independently.
• Spanish or Japanese language skills.

Culture & Benefits

• Full-time employees are eligible for medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Benefits include fertility, commuter, and educational assistance, plus a 401(k) matching plan.
• Salaried employees receive flexible time off, and regular full-time employees receive ten paid company holidays.
• Employee discounts are available on select grading services.
• Some teams offer flexible schedules with varying shifts, alongside team celebrations, holiday events, and team-building activities.

Hiring process

• Cameras must be on during video interviews; some interview steps may take place by phone.
• Remote-role interview guidance does not change this position’s onsite requirement; an onsite interview may be requested at the company’s discretion during final stages.