About the Role
In this role, you will serve as a technical leader responsible for the design, development, implementation, commissioning, and optimization of advanced automation systems in an integrator environment — working on new equipment that is being built and debugged for the first time. This is not a support or maintenance role.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and implementation of advanced control system designs, including robotics, vision systems, PLCs, HMIs, SCADA applications, motion control systems, and higher-level programming solutions.
- Design, program, validate, and commission safety systems to ensure compliance with applicable customer and industry safety standards.
- Configure and support industrial networks, distributed I/O, drives, motion control systems, and safety devices.
- Lead technical execution throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring successful delivery with respect to cost, quality, schedule, and customer satisfaction.
- Identify opportunities for design, process, and workflow improvements to increase efficiency and system performance.
- Troubleshoot robotic systems, PLC programs, electrical control systems, motion control equipment, transfer systems, and associated peripheral devices.
- Perform machine startup, power-up, commissioning, debugging, and controls programming activities.
- Ensure equipment designs and software solutions meet customer specifications, industry standards, and internal engineering best practices.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including mechanical, electrical, robotics, manufacturing, and project management personnel.
- Provide mentorship and technical guidance to developing engineers and technical team members.
- Lead multiple projects simultaneously and effectively manage competing technical priorities.
- Assist with project budgeting, forecasting, and cost management.
- Participate in project estimation, quoting, and scope development activities to support new business opportunities.
- Work independently onsite at customer facilities when needed, representing the company professionally in direct customer-facing interactions.
What You'll Bring
Education
- Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field preferred.
- Degree requirement can be substituted with relevant hands-on industry experience.
Experience
- 3–30 years (ideal target 5-10 years) of experience in controls engineering within industrial automation or manufacturing environments
- Proven experience developing, programming, commissioning, and troubleshooting automated manufacturing systems in an integrator setting — building and debugging new equipment for the first time, not supporting existing lines.
- Hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley PLC platforms.
- Hands-on experience with FANUC robot programming, commissioning, and troubleshooting.
- Demonstrated experience developing and commissioning safety PLC applications, including safety interlocks, safety devices, and machine safety validation.
- Proven ability to lead projects and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Strong leadership and mentoring experience within engineering teams.
- Strong customer-facing communication and presentation skills — must be comfortable working onsite with the customer independently and communicating confidently and professionally with customer personnel.
- Strong soft skills are important for this role.
Bonus Skills
- Keyence Vision Programming a Plus!
Schedule Expectations
- 48 hours/week is the standard schedule.
- Hours may increase into the mid-50s as the project approaches FAT (Factory Acceptance Test).
- During install, hours may run 60–80 hours/week — candidates should be willing and able to work as much as needed to complete the install as quickly as possible.
- Weekend work should be expected during install, including some Saturday mornings while onsite at the facility.
