Automation & Controls Engineer

Strama-MPS U.S. Inc.; Duncan (SC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance with employer-paid

Dental and vision options

401(k) retirement plan with companycon

Paid company holidays

Professional training and development

International collaboration

Job summary

Strama-MPS U.S. Inc. in Duncan, South Carolina is seeking a Senior Automation & Controls Engineer to lead development, programming and commissioning of controls for complex industrial equipment.

You will own controls scopes from engineering through customer acceptance and collaborate across engineering, manufacturing and service teams. The role emphasizes PLC/HMI programming, safety implementation, drives and motion control, plus travel to customer sites.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical/Automation/Mechatronics or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of two years in automation and controls engineering.
• Hands-on PLC and HMI programming experience with major platforms.
• Knowledge of safety systems and machine safety standards.
• Willingness to travel up to 50%.

Responsibilities

• Develop, program and troubleshoot PLC/HMI applications for industrial equipment.
• Implement machine sequences, interlocks, diagnostic and fault recovery routines.
• Prepare controls documentation and maintain version control.
• Configure drives, motion control and integrate components via industrial networks.
• Perform commissioning, start-up and customer-site support.
• Coordinate with mechanical, electrical, safety and project teams.

Skills

Electrical Engineering

Automation Engineering

Mechatronics

Two+ years experience

PLC programming

HMI systems

Industrial networks

Safety interlocks

English communication

Travel up to 50%

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering/Automation/Mechatronics

Tools

Siemens TIA Portal

Siemens STEP 7

Beckhoff TwinCAT

Allen-Bradley Studio 5000/RSLogix

Industrial networks (PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT)

Job description

Strama-MPS is an internationally operating company. With dedicated teams for sales, mechanical, electrical and software engineering, project management, manufacturing, assembly and service, Strama-MPS is a full-service provider for a broad and sophisticated portfolio in automation technology, e-mobility, body-in-white systems, machining centers, test systems and industrial automation. Strama-MPS is part of STRAMAGROUP, an internationally operating corporate group that employs more than 1,500 people worldwide.

To support our North American growth strategy, we are looking for an experienced Senior Automation & Controls Engineer to join our Engineering team in Duncan, South Carolina. The role focuses on the development, programming, integration and commissioning of controls and automation systems for complex industrial equipment, with technical responsibility for assigned controls scopes from engineering through final customer acceptance.

What Can You Expect From Us?

• An engineering position with clear development opportunities toward greater technical and project responsibility
• Structured onboarding and hands-on guidance from experienced senior engineers
• The opportunity to work on industrial automation systems from engineering through commissioning and final customer acceptance
• Hands-on involvement in PLC programming, controls integration, troubleshooting and commissioning
• Direct collaboration with customers, project teams and technical experts
• Access to Strama-MPS’s international engineering, manufacturing and automation capabilities
• A dynamic, international work environment with short decision-making paths and a hands-on culture

The Following Responsibilities Will Be Part of Your Role:

PLC Programming & Software Development

• Develop, program and troubleshoot PLC and HMI applications for industrial equipment
• Implement machine sequences, interlocks, automatic and manual operating modes, diagnostics and fault recovery routines
• Work with reusable software modules and apply internal and customer-specific programming standards
• Prepare controls and software documentation and maintain version control

Functional Safety

• Implement and troubleshoot safety functions such as emergency stops, safety gates, light curtains, area scanners and safe operating modes using safety PLCs and safety devices
• Support safety validation, functional testing and documentation in accordance with applicable standards such as ISO 13849 and IEC 62061

Drives, Motion Control & Integration

• Configure, commission and troubleshoot variable-frequency drives, servo drives and motion-control systems
• Integrate drives, sensors, actuators, vision systems and automation components via industrial networks such as PROFINET, EtherNet/IP and EtherCAT

Commissioning & Customer Support

• Perform system integration, testing, start-up and commissioning, and troubleshoot controls and automation issues at customer sites
• Support controls activities during installation, ramp-up and final acceptance
• Communicate with customers on technical matters related to assigned work scopes

Project Execution

• Execute assigned controls scopes within defined project requirements, with guidance from senior engineers
• Coordinate assigned controls activities with mechanical, electrical, machine safety and project teams
• Identify technical issues early and support the development of effective solutions
• Support the sales team during the quotation phase by developing controls concepts based on customer requirements

Your Skills!

Required:

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
• Minimum of two years of professional experience in automation and controls engineering
• Hands-on experience with at least one of the following PLC platforms: Siemens TIA Portal / STEP 7, Beckhoff TwinCAT, or Allen-Bradley Studio 5000 / RSLogix
• Working knowledge of HMI systems, drives, motion control and industrial networks
• Understanding of machine safety systems, safety interlocks and safe machine operating concepts
• Ability to read electrical schematics and experience commissioning and troubleshooting industrial automation systems
• Ability to independently execute defined technical assignments
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills
• Very good written and verbal English communication skills
• Willingness to travel up to 50% based on project and customer requirements

Preferred:

• Experience with servo systems, motion control and drive commissioning
• Experience with industrial robots such as FANUC, ABB or KUKA
• Experience with vision systems
• Automotive manufacturing experience (e.g., body-in-white, assembly, material handling or conveyor systems), including familiarity with customer-specific automation standards
• Experience with multiple controls platforms and automation technologies

What We Can Offer You!

• Competitive hourly compensation
• Paid company holidays
• Medical insurance with 100% employer-paid premiums
• Dental and vision insurance options
• Employer-paid group life and AD&D insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution
• Professional training, education and development support
• International collaboration, short decision-making paths and a hands-on company culture

Equal Opportunity Statement

Strama-MPS U.S. Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to any status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

This posting provides a general description of the position and does not create an employment contract. Employment with Strama-MPS U.S. Inc. is at will, subject to applicable law. Compensation and benefits are subject to eligibility requirements, applicable plan documents, company policies and individual employment terms.