Automation & Controls Engineer – PLCs, HMIs & SCADA

Software Placement Group, SPG; Brown Deer (WI); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage starting Day 1

Flexible 1st Shift schedule

Job summary

Software Placement Group (SPG) seeks an Automation & Controls Engineer in Brown Deer, WI to lead PLC programming, HMI development, and SCADA optimization on high-speed production lines. This direct-hire role offers stability and full benefits starting Day 1.

Ideal candidates bring 5+ years in automation, AB/Siemens PLC experience, and strong electrical schematic skills. On-site 1st shift with excellent healthcare coverage and overtime eligibility are provided.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in automation controls within continuous manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide floor support troubleshooting complex control networks and machinery.
• Program and edit PLC/HMI logic on AB and Siemens platforms.
• Refine SCADA for real-time data and predictive maintenance.
• Lead CI projects and redesign control architectures.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams during capital asset deployments.
• Interpret electrical schematics and diagrams up to 480V.

Skills

Automation controls

PLC programming

Industrial drive systems

Electrical schematics

Education

Associate degree in Electro-Mechanical Technology

Tools

Allen-Bradley Studio 5000/RSLogix

Siemens TIA Portal

Job description

Location: Brown Deer, WI | Schedule: Full-Time, Direct Hire, 1st Shift (on-site) | Compensation: From $40.00/hr

Overview

An established green-tech manufacturer with a 40-year history of zero layoffs is seeking an Automation & Controls Engineer to support its growing production operations in the Brown Deer, WI area. This direct-hire role offers long-term stability in a booming industry, with the engineer leading PLC programming, HMI development, and SCADA optimization across high-speed, continuous automated processing lines.

What you'll do

• Provide high-level floor support by troubleshooting complex electronic control networks, high-speed drive systems, and continuous processing machinery to optimize facility uptime
• Perform PLC and HMI programming edits, logic upgrades, and modifications using Allen-Bradley (Studio 5000 / RSLogix) and Siemens (TIA Portal) platforms
• Implement and refine SCADA systems to improve real-time data acquisition, machine tracking, and predictive maintenance capabilities
• Lead continuous improvement projects and redesign control architectures using root-cause analysis on new or retrofitted equipment
• Partner with cross-functional engineering teams during capital asset deployments, overseeing controls wiring, network integration, and machine positioning
• Interpret multi-page electrical schematics, network topology diagrams, and blueprints up to 480V to resolve intermittent communication or hardware issues

Required qualifications

• 5+ years of dedicated experience in automation controls, systems engineering, or electro-mechanical maintenance within continuous manufacturing environments
• 3+ years writing, modifying, and debugging logic in Allen-Bradley and Siemens PLC/HMI platforms
• 3+ years managing AC/DC drives, VFDs, servo controls, pneumatics, and high-pressure hydraulic circuits
• Practical experience tracing complex schematics, industrial network topologies, and wiring diagrams up to 480V
• U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency (Green Card) required, residing within a comfortable daily commuting distance of the Brown Deer / Northern Milwaukee County, WI area

Preferred qualifications

• Associate degree in Electro-Mechanical Technology, Automation, Robotics, or a related technical discipline
• Hands-on experience in high-speed processing environments such as paper converting, printing, packaging, web processing, or continuous material handling
• Practical capability using power tools, forklifts, and overhead rigging equipment during equipment deployment

Compensation and benefits

• Baseline pay starting at $40.00/hr, scaling directly with controls depth (equivalent to over $40,000 annually)
• Premium overtime eligibility
• Healthcare coverage starting on Day 1
• Flexible 1st Shift schedule with morning start windows (7:00 AM or 9:00 AM)
• Shared, balanced on-call rotation for facility support

Why this role

This direct-hire position offers long-term stability with an employer known for a 40-year history of zero layoffs, flexible morning start times, and full benefits starting on Day 1.