Associate Commissioning Engineer

Material Handling Systems, Inc.; Kentucky; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortna is seeking motivated Associate Commissioning Engineers to join our commissioning and controls team. This hands-on role focuses on startup, debugging, validation, and troubleshooting of automated material handling systems at customer sites across North America.

The position offers a clear career path into Controls Engineering and leadership roles, with extensive travel (65–85%). You’ll work closely with senior engineers and project teams to deliver reliable, safe systems on time.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering or equivalent hands-on experience in industrial automation, commissioning, maintenance, controls, or field service environments.
• 1-2 years’ experience in automation, control system design, I/O Checkout Internship, co-op, manufacturing, maintenance, automation, or field service experience preferred.
• Knowledgeable of electrical and controls engineering theories and principles; strong electrical aptitude.

Responsibilities

• Support commissioning, startup, debugging, and validation of conveyor and automated material handling systems.
• Debug automation systems including PLCs, VFDs, sensors, field devices, and industrial networks.
• Configure, validate, and troubleshoot PLCs, VFDs, IO devices, and network components.
• Test system performance including conveyor speeds, sequences, and device functionality.
• Audit field installations to confirm electrical systems match drawings and specs.
• Troubleshoot electrical, controls, electromechanical, and communication issues onsite.
• Coordinate with customers, subcontractors, electricians, technicians, and project teams to resolve issues.
• Assist with AutoCAD updates, subpanel layouts, and electrical drawing reviews.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Verbal communication

Written communication

Eagerness to learn

Project coordination

Troubleshooting electrical systems

AutoCAD

MS Office

MS Project

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering

Tools

Studio 5000

AutoCAD

Wonderware

Ignition

WinCC

MS Project

Job description

FORTNA partners with the world’s leading brands to transform omnichannel and parcel distribution operations. Known world-wide for enabling companies to keep pace with digital disruption and growth objectives, we design and deliver solutions, powered by intelligent software, to optimize fast, accurate and cost-effective order fulfillment and last mile delivery. Our people, innovative approach and proprietary algorithms and tools ensure optimal operations design and material and information flow. We deliver exceptional value every day to our customers with comprehensive services and products including network strategy, distribution center operational design and implementation, material handling automated equipment, robotics and a comprehensive suite of lifecycle services.At FORTNA, we believe in fostering a workplace that isn't just a job but a movement – a collective effort to redefine success and transform challenges into opportunities. "Join the Movement" encapsulates our commitment to a workplace culture that thrives on collaboration, celebrates diversity, and empowers every individual to contribute to something greater than themselves. Our Team. Our Passion. Our Approach.FORTNA is seeking motivated and technically curious Associate Commissioning Engineers (ACE) to join our growing commissioning and controls team. This role is ideal for early-career engineers, recent graduates, automation technicians, and field service professionals looking to build hands-on experience in industrial automation, conveyor systems, and controls commissioning.Associate Commissioning Engineers support the startup, validation, and troubleshooting of automated material handling and conveyor systems at customer sites throughout North America. This position offers a strong career pathway into Controls Engineering, Electrical Design, Automation Engineering, and advanced Commissioning leadership roles.This is a highly hands-on field position that requires extensive travel (65%-85%), adaptability, strong communication skills, and a willingness to learn in fast-paced industrial environments.Tasks & Responsibilities:Support commissioning, startup, debugging, and validation activities for conveyor and automated material handling systemsDebug automation systems including PLCs, VFDs, sensors, field devices, and industrial networksPerform System and I/O Checkout activities using Studio 5000 and related commissioning toolsSupport Controls and PLC checkout activities alongside Controls Engineers and senior commissioning team membersConfigure, validate, and troubleshoot PLCs, VFDs, IO devices, and network componentsTest and verify system performance including conveyor speeds, operational sequences, and device functionalityVerify engineered systems meet customer specifications, design intent, and operational requirementsAudit field installations to confirm electrical systems and wiring match engineering drawings and project specificationsTroubleshoot electrical, controls, electromechanical, and communication-related issues onsiteInterface professionally with customers, subcontractors, electricians, technicians, and internal project teams to resolve technical issuesSupport commissioning leads in coordinating contractors or technicians during checkout and startup activitiesAssist with AutoCAD updates, subpanel layouts, and electrical drawing reviews when applicableCreate and maintain project workbooks, commissioning documentation, punch lists, and issue tracking logsPre-check electrical drawings for accuracy, completeness, UL requirements, and installation readiness prior to startupCommunicate technical findings, project updates, and support needs clearly to remote team members and project leadershipDemonstrate initiative, adaptability, teamwork, and a willingness to learn in fast-paced field environmentsQualifications:Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent hands-on experience in industrial automation, commissioning, maintenance, controls, or field service environments1-2 years’ experience in automation, control system design, I/O Checkout Internship, co-op, manufacturing, maintenance, automation, or field service experience preferredKnowledgeable of electrical and controls engineering theories and principlesSignificant electrical aptitude and knowledge of acceptable practices, techniques, and codesVFD experience with Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens or Schneider is a plus but not requiredPLC experience with Rockwell/Allen-Bradley (ControlLogix & CompactLogix), Modicon and Siemens (S7) is a plus but not requiredFamiliarity with Rockwell/Allen-Bradley Studio 5000 preferredHMI experience with Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Wonderware, Ignition and WinCC is a plus but not requiredWillingness and ability to travel extensively throughout the United States and North AmericaSkills/Abilities:Excellent interpersonal, leadership, verbal, and written skillsEagerness to learn and ask questions in field environmentsStrong verbal and written communication skillsSkills in AutoCAD, MS Office suite and MS ProjectAbility to work with experienced, multidisciplinary, technical specialistsAbility to coordinate small to large projects and teams independently and make quality decisionsAbility to troubleshoot electrical systems for industrial applicationsSkilled with AutoCAD and design of electrical panels, creating electrical drawings and schematicsWORK ENVIRONMENT: This job operates primarily in industrial customer project sites. Safe working practices and awareness of the environment are essential.TRAVEL: Generally, this position requires up to 65-85%% travel to various sites.PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.This job description describes the general nature and level of work expected of a person assigned to this position. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. Employees may be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor.It is the policy of FORTNA and its affiliated companies to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, citizenship status (if authorized to work in the U.S.), or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, FORTNA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.