Associate Automation Engineer

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

Job summary

Hoffman & Hoffman, Inc. seeks an Associate Automation Engineer to assist in building automation and controls projects. You will learn company standards, produce controls drawings, and support sequence development and basic DDC work under supervision.

The role focuses on learning workflows, contributing to project execution, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure quality outcomes on client projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Controls, Automation or related field.
• 0–3 years of experience in controls design, automation, HVAC or related engineering.
• Equivalent technical training may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Produce controls drawings per company standards, templates and project requirements.
• Assist with product selection for building automation and controls applications.
• Support documentation of network architecture for BAS projects.
• Contribute to sequence of operations development for assigned systems.
• Support basic DDC programming tasks using standard templates and guidance.
• Maintain design and programming documentation, including revision logs.
• Drive bench testing by setting up test environments and executing test plans.
• Travel to job sites to support functional testing of BAS systems.
• Coordinate with project leaders when tasks need clarification or closure.
• Communicate design challenges and status updates clearly within the project team.
• Collaborate with other engineering disciplines to support project delivery.
• Investigate issues, apply debugging approaches, and escalate when needed.

Skills

Communication

Collaboration

Problem solving

Ownership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Equivalent training considered

Job description

We are seeking an Associate Automation Engineer to support the design and delivery of building automation and controls projects. This entry-level role is responsible for producing accurate controls and automation design documentation while supporting sequence of operations development and basic DDC programming activities under close supervision. The Associate Automation Engineer will focus on learning company standards, tools, and automation workflows while contributing to project execution.

What You’ll Do

• Produce controls drawings in accordance with company standards, templates, and project requirements.
• Assist with product selection for common building automation and controls applications.
• Support the development and documentation of network architecture for BAS projects.
• Contribute to sequence of operations development for assigned systems and applications.
• Support basic DDC programming tasks using standard templates, established sequences, and engineering guidance.
• Maintain accurate design and programming documentation, including revision logs and project records.
• Drive code through bench testing by setting up test environments and forcing tags to execute required test plan scenarios.
• Travel to job sites as needed to support first-of-kind functional testing of BAS systems.
• Coordinate with EPMs and DETLs when tasks are blocked, require clarification, or are ready for closure.
• Communicate design challenges, status updates, and technical decisions clearly within the immediate project team.
• Collaborate with other engineering disciplines and site operations teams to support successful project delivery.
• Investigate technical issues, apply measured debugging approaches, and escalated concerns when appropriate.
• Demonstrate ownership of assigned work and a commitment to quality, learning, and client outcomes.

What You’ll Bring

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, including Electrical, Mechanical, Controls, Automation, or a related technical discipline.
• Equivalent technical training combined with relevant experience may be considered.
• 0–3 years of experience in controls design, automation, HVAC, or a related engineering field.

Skills & Capabilities

• Strong communication skills with the ability to provide concise updates and explain technical decisions within the project team.
• Collaborative mindset and willingness to support cross-functional teams and evolving standards.
• Solution-oriented approach with sound judgment on troubleshooting versus escalation.
• Ownership mentality with confidence to make decisions, take on challenges, and grow professionally.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to build a strong foundation in building automation, controls design, DDC programming, and BAS testing.
• Hands-on experience with real projects, company standards, and automation workflows in a collaborative engineering environment.
• Exposure to sequence development, network architecture documentation, bench testing, and field functional testing.
• Ongoing professional growth through mentorship, technical development, and increasing project responsibility.
• A team-oriented environment that values quality, learning, ownership, and client outcomes.