
Innovation & Automation Engineer 1
Philips • Alajuela, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica
Role & seniority: Innovation & Automation Engineer 1; early-career/entry-level professional (2 years of relevant experience)
Stack/tools: Engineeringdisciplines; programming, operating systems, data analysis; Minitab; advanced Microsoft Office; basic statistics; simulation; Lean Manufacturing
Top 3 responsibilities
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Propose, develop, and validate assembly automation and manufacturing-innovation solutions; lead mid-to-large projects with concept development, testing, prototypes, and continuous improvement; manage costs and report to management
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Monitor KPIs, perform FMEA/root-cause analysis, implement CAPA/NCR actions; enhance safety, reproducibility, flexibility, and simplicity
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Collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners; provide guidance/training to operators; contribute to DFMA projects
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Must-have skills: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Manufacturing/Operations, Industrial, Systems, Production, or Cost); English proficiency; knowledge of advanced MS Office; Minitab and basic statistics; familiarity with simulation and Lean principles; cross-disciplinary problem solving (programming, OS, data analysis)
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Nice-to-haves: Experience with automation/innovation in manufacturing; DFMA experience; capability to lead projects with senior guidance; exposure to CAPA systems
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Location & work type: Office role; office-based with in-person collaboration at least 3 days/week for internal teams; onsite/full-time presence if applicable; field roles
Full Description
Job Title Innovation & Automation Engineer 1 Job Description Innovation & Automation Engineer 1 Drives the identification, development, and validation of new manufacturing solutions and technologies, improving processes and KPIs while providing expert support in production, troubleshooting, and activities such as CAPAs, NPIs, and industrialization. Your role: Propose and develop assembly automation and innovation solutions, assessing emerging technologies and collaborating on specifications to improve manufacturing from raw materials to finished assemblies. Lead mid- to large-size projects guided by senior engineers, including concept development, testing, prototype analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives, while managing related costs and reporting to management. Monitor KPIs, perform FMEA and root cause analysis, implement CAPA/NCR actions, and identify opportunities to enhance process safety, reproducibility, flexibility, and simplicity. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners, provide guidance and training to operators and technicians, and contribute to DFMA (Design for Manufacturability and Assembly) projects. Apply broad technical knowledge across disciplines, including programming, operating systems, and data analysis, to resolve complex manufacturing challenges creatively and effectively. You're the right fit if: 2 years of relevant experience. Bachelor degree in engineering Manufacturing/Operations environment, Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Production Engineering, or Cost Engineering. Advanced English proficiency. Knowledge of advanced Microsoft Office, Minitab statistical analysis, and basic statistics. Familiarity with simulation and Lean Manufacturing principles. How we work together We believe that we are better together than apart. For our office-based teams, this means working in-person at least 3 days per week. Onsite roles require full-time presence in the company’s facilities. Field roles are most effectively done outside of the company’s main facilities, generally at the customers’ or suppliers’ locations. This role is an office role. About Philips We are a health technology company. We built our entire company around the belief that every human matters, and we won't stop until everybody everywhere has access to the quality healthcare that we all deserve. Do the work of your life to help the lives of others. • Learn more about our business. • Discover our rich and exciting history. • Learn more about our purpose. If you’re interested in this role and have many, but not all, of the experiences needed, we encourage you to apply. You may still be the right candidate for this or other opportunities at Philips. Learn more about our culture of impact with care here. #LI-PH1 #EOS At Philips, we believe that every human matters. As a global health-tech leader, we focus on improving people’s health and wellbeing through meaningful innovation. The people who work here share our passion and are motivated to bring this purpose to life. For more than 130 years, we have been creating technologies and innovations that improve people's lives and support healthcare practitioners. Headquartered in the Netherlands and operating in more than 100 countries globally, we focus our advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights on Precision Diagnosis, Image Guided Therapy, Enterprise Informatics, Monitoring/ Connected Care, Sleep & Respiratory Care and Personal Health. Together, we deliver better care for more people because we believe that every human matters. That's why we're taking steps to create an environment where we acknowledge and embrace our differences and uniqueness and listen to and value each other's views. When people feel cared for and listened to, they bring their best qualities to work, leading to better collaboration, communication, innovation and success. It is the policy of Philips to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy/childbirth or related medical conditions, age, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, genetic information, citizenship status, veteran or military status, marital or domestic partner status or any other characteristic protected by law. As an equal opportunity employer, Philips is committed to fostering a culture where all are treated with respect and professionalism. To ensure reasonable accommodations for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974 and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact 888-367-7223, option 5, for assistance. Philips is an Equal Employment and Opportunity Employer including Disability/Vets and maintains a drug-free workplace. Know Your Rights