Automation & Control Systems Engineer

Aspire Talent Solutions; City of Albany (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Aspire Talent Solutions is seeking an Automation & Control Systems Engineer to design, develop, implement, and support control systems for CNC machine tools and industrial automation equipment. The role covers machine‑control software, HMIs, SCADA, and integrated automation while managing projects from development through commissioning and customer support.

The ideal candidate has hands‑on controls programming experience, strong troubleshooting skills, and the ability to collaborate with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical or related engineering field.
• 2+ years of controls/automation experience.
• Experience with industrial machinery control software development.
• Knowledge of communication protocols such as TCP/IP, Profinet, EtherNet/IP.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, test, and document machine-control software.
• Develop HMI and SCADA applications.
• Integrate CNC controls, PLCs, HMIs, servo drives and robots.
• Manage controls projects from development through commissioning.
• Perform hands-on commissioning, testing, and validation.
• Support FAT and site acceptance testing.
• Create and maintain operation and maintenance documentation.
• Travel up to 30% domestically and internationally.

Skills

Hands-on controls programming

Troubleshooting skills

Team collaboration

Project management

Technical documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related technical discipline

Tools

Siemens Step 7

TIA Portal

WinCC Professional SCADA

FANUC PLCs

Allen-Bradley PLCs

CNCs

HMI

Servo drives

LabVIEW

AutoCAD

KUKA

Job description

We are seeking an Automation & Control Systems Engineer to design, develop, implement, and support control systems for advanced CNC machine tools and industrial automation equipment. This position will develop machine-control software, HMIs, SCADA systems, and integrated automation solutions while managing projects from development through commissioning and customer support. The ideal candidate will bring hands‑on controls programming experience, strong troubleshooting skills, and the ability to collaborate with engineering teams, customers, and suppliers.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop control‑system architectures and strategies for CNC machine tools, manufacturing processes, and automation equipment.
• Design, program, test, and document machine‑control software.
• Develop Human‑Machine Interface (HMI) and SCADA applications.
• Integrate CNC controls, PLCs, HMIs, servo drives, robots, and related automation systems.
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, software, manufacturing, and project engineering teams.
• Independently manage assigned controls projects from development through commissioning.
• Perform hands‑on equipment commissioning, testing, debugging, troubleshooting, and validation.
• Support Factory Acceptance Testing to verify machine functionality and performance.
• Support customer‑site commissioning, startup, and Site Acceptance Testing.
• Diagnose and resolve controls‑related issues on installed equipment.
• Facilitate technical discussions with customers and suppliers regarding system interfaces and equipment integration.
• Create and maintain software, controls, and machine‑operation documentation.
• Develop technical content and screenshots for operation and maintenance manuals.
• Travel domestically and internationally to support commissioning, integration, and customer acceptance activities.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer systems engineering, or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two or more years of relevant controls, automation, electrical engineering, or systems‑integration experience.
• Experience developing control‑system software for industrial machinery or automation equipment.
• Experience with Siemens Step 7, TIA Portal, or WinCC Professional SCADA is preferred.
• Experience with FANUC or Allen‑Bradley PLCs, CNCs, HMIs, or servo‑drive systems is preferred.
• Industrial robot programming experience with ABB, FANUC, KUKA, or similar systems is preferred.
• Experience with National Instruments LabVIEW is preferred.
• Understanding of computer hardware, networking, and system architecture.
• Knowledge of TCP/IP, RS‑232, Profinet, Profibus, EtherNet/IP, OPC, or similar communication protocols.
• Ability to read, interpret, and create electrical schematics.
• Mechanical aptitude with the ability to understand mechanical drawings and hydraulic and pneumatic schematics.
• AutoCAD experience is preferred.
• Strong software troubleshooting, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to independently manage projects, priorities, schedules, and technical documentation.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams, customers, and suppliers.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 30%.