Automation & Controls Engineer II

NOV; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Life insurance

401K plan

Paid time off

3 weeks vacation

Job summary

NOV in San Antonio, TX seeks an Electrical Design Engineer to design, develop, and implement automation systems for custom industrial machinery, including CNC winders and hydraulically driven equipment.

You will lead control system design, motion control development, create wiring diagrams, BOMs, and drive multi-axis systems using PMAC, Kinetix, and SIMATIC platforms. Travel 50%+ may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 5 years of relevant engineering experience in electrical design, automation, or industrial control systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop electrical and automation systems for custom industrial machinery and automated equipment.
• Develop PLC, HMI, and motion control programs for CNC winders and motion-based automation systems.
• Design and implement multi-axis motion control systems using PMAC, Kinetix, and SIMATIC platforms.
• Configure and tune servo systems including motors, drives, encoders, and feedback devices.
• Lead troubleshooting, testing, and commissioning of automation and motion control systems in manufacturing and field environments.

Skills

Motion control design

PLC programming

HMI programming

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related

Tools

Delta Tau PMAC

Allen-Bradley Kinetix

Siemens SIMATIC

AutoCAD Electrical

EtherNet/IP

Modbus

OPC UA

Job description

Job Summary

Applies advanced electrical design and engineering principles to design, develop, and implement automation systems for Fiber Glass Systems equipment. This role focuses on electrical and automation design for custom, one-off machinery including CNC winders and electrically and hydraulically driven equipment. The position has a strong emphasis on motion-based automation systems, including development and integration of motion control solutions using Delta Tau PMAC controllers, Allen-Bradley Kinetix servo systems, and Siemens SIMATIC motion control platforms. Responsibilities include leading portions of the design lifecycle including control system design, motion control development, component specification, documentation, system integration, testing, and commissioning. The engineer works independently on complex automation systems while collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering teams. Domestic and international travel of 50% or greater may be required.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Design and develop electrical and automation systems for custom industrial machinery and automated equipment.
• Develop PLC, HMI, and motion control programs for CNC winders and motion-based automation systems.
• Design and implement multi-axis motion control systems using platforms such as Delta Tau PMAC controllers, Allen-Bradley Kinetix servo systems, and Siemens SIMATIC motion platforms.
• Configure and tune servo systems including motors, drives, encoders, and feedback devices.
• Develop coordinated motion control strategies for precision automated machinery and multi-axis systems.
• Create and maintain electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and control panel layouts using electrical CAD tools.
• Select and specify automation hardware including PLCs, servo drives, motors, sensors, instrumentation, and safety devices.
• Integrate motion control systems with mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic subsystems.
• Lead troubleshooting, testing, and commissioning of automation and motion control systems in manufacturing and field environments.
• Provide technical support during equipment build, installation, and startup.
• Collaborate with mechanical engineers, project managers, manufacturing personnel, and field service teams to ensure proper system integration.
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation including I/O lists, bills of materials (BOM), control narratives, and motion system documentation.
• Support root cause analysis and resolution of automation or motion control issues.
• Ensure designs comply with applicable engineering standards, safety requirements, and industry codes.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior engineers and technicians when appropriate.

Education & Experience Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, or related engineering discipline.
• 5 years of relevant engineering experience in electrical design, automation, or industrial control systems (internships or co‑op experience may be considered).

Job Requirements

EIT not required but preferred.

Behavioral Competencies

• Good communication skills both formal and informal.
• Structured and self‑driven, but also able to work in a collaborative environment.

Technical Competencies

• Strong knowledge of motion control systems used in automated machinery and CNC‑based equipment.
• Experience with Delta Tau PMAC motion controllers and multi‑axis motion programming preferred.
• Experience with Allen‑Bradley Kinetix servo drives and integrated motion systems.
• Experience with Siemens SIMATIC motion control systems including SIMATIC PLC platforms and associated servo drive technologies.
• Strong understanding of servo motor control, encoder feedback systems, and motion tuning techniques.
• Knowledge of coordinated multi‑axis motion control and machine synchronization.
• Experience with industrial control systems including PLCs, motion control platforms, and automation architectures.
• Experience with industrial communication protocols such as EtherNet/IP, OPC UA, Modbus, Profinet, or other industrial networking technologies.
• Understanding of industrial automation system architecture including PLC, HMI/SCADA, motion controllers, drives, and field device integration.
• Ability to develop and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and control system documentation.
• Experience using AutoCAD Electrical or similar electrical design software.
• Strong understanding of industrial automation components including sensors, motors, drives, and instrumentation.
• Familiarity with industrial safety standards including NFPA 70/NEC and machine safety principles.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem‑solving capabilities in complex automation and motion systems.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, manufacturing, field service, and operations teams.

Benefits

We offer a competitive benefits package starting first date of employment that includes: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401K savings plan, paid time‑off, and starting at 3 weeks of vacation! For more specifics, please visit our benefits page https://usbenefits.nov.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer

NOV is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination or Harassment of Any Kind: NOV is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunities for everyone and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. NOV values inclusion and diversity; we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.