Associate Automation Engineer

Hoffman & Hoffman, Inc.; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Hoffman & Hoffman, Inc. is seeking an Associate Automation Engineer to support development and implementation of industrial control systems for building automation projects. You will learn standards, architecture, and software integration while assisting with design, HMI/SCADA configuration, PLC/DDC programming, and field commissioning.

The role emphasizes learning, teamwork, and accuracy, with exposure to troubleshooting and site activities. Travel up to 30% may be required as projects progress.

Qualifications

• Bachelors orAssociates in engineering or related field preferred.
• 0–3+ years in industrial automation or related field.
• Familiarity with PLC/DDC, HMI, and HVAC systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support design and development of control systems and drawings.
• Configure HMI/SCADA screens and graphics per standards.
• Assist with PLC/DDC programming using templates and libraries.
• Support testing, commissioning, and site startup activities; travel up to 30%.
• Maintain project documentation including IO lists and specs.

Skills

Learning mindset

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Communication

Team collaboration

Control system design basics

HVAC & BAS basics

Education

Bachelor’s or Associate in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field

Tools

Rockwell/Allen-Bradley

Ignition

Wonderware

Job description

Job Description

An Associate Automation Engineer is an entry-level engineering professional responsible for supporting the development, design, and implementation of industrial control systems for building automation projects. This role combines control system design, HMI/SCADA development, PLC/DDC programming, and field commissioning to ensure the successful delivery of projects under the guidance of senior engineers. An Associate Automation Engineer focuses on learning company standards, control system architecture, and software integration while contributing to project execution and system optimization.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree (preferred) or Associate degree in any of the following fields: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Trade school certificates or equivalent technical training combined with relevant experience may also be considered.

Experience

• 0–3+ years of experience in industrial automation, instrumentation and controls, PLC/DDC programming, or a related industrial engineering field.
• Familiarity with PLC/DDC and HMI configuration, industrial networking, and/or HVAC systems is preferred.
• Familiarity with construction site environments and field devices (instrumentation, valves, drives) is preferred.

Skills

Technical Skills

• Systems Knowledge: Basic understanding of HVAC and building automation systems (BAS).
• Control System Design: Ability to read electrical schematics, P&IDs, control system documentation, and network architecture drawings.
• HMI/SCADA: Basic experience with HMI and SCADA platforms (e.g., Rockwell, Ignition, Wonderware) and the ability to instantiate standard graphics, alarms, and trends.
• PLC/DDC: Basic understanding of PLC platforms (e.g. Allen-Bradley, Siemens) and at least one industrial automation programming language, such as Ladder Logic.
• Networking & Infrastructure: Basic understanding of industrial protocols (Modbus, BACnet, Ethernet/IP) and OT network design.
• Testing: Familiarity with troubleshooting techniques and tools such as simulators and multimeters for software testing and point-to-point device verification.

Soft Skills

• Learning Mindset: A strong eagerness to learn new technologies and adapt to evolving engineering standards.
• Problem-Solving: A solution-oriented mindset with the ability to perform strategic debugging and know when to escape issues.
• Attention to Detail: High commitment to accuracy in technical drawings, naming conventions, and project documentation.
• Communication: Ability to provide concise status updates and define technical challenges to project leads and team members.
• Leadership: Ability to collaborate effectively within multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Control System Design: Perform product selection for common automation systems and applications and support generation of accurate control system drawings.
• HMI/SCADA Configuration: Instantiate graphics and configure HMI/SCADA screens in alignment with company standards.
• PLC/DDC Programming: Support basic PLC and DDC programming tasks such as tag configuration and control logic using standard templates, reusable code libraries, or custom code.
• Testing and Commissioning: Assist with testing, device verification, and troubleshooting during bench testing, Factory Acceptance Testing, and site startup activities. Travel may be required. Expect up to 30% travel, including regular overnight stays for non-local client sites and up to 100% travel to local client sites.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate project documentation, including IO lists, Sequence of Operations, Functional Specifications, test protocols, and redline markups.
• Safety & Compliance: Follow all office and site safety procedures and participate in mandatory safety training (e.g., OSHA-10).
• Quality Control: Ensure all document and code deliverables meet established quality standards for right-first-time accuracy and on-time delivery.