Automation Engineer

Thor; California (MO); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Thor is seeking an Automation & Digitalisation Engineer located in California, Missouri. This role involves ownership of controls projects from programming to ongoing support. Candidates will work across various automation technologies including PLCs, robotics, and HMI development.

The ideal candidate has strong industrial controls experience, preferably with Omron Sysmac, and enjoys driving automation improvements. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a modern manufacturing site committed to digital transformation and efficiency enhancements.

Qualifications

• Strong industrial controls experience with Omron Sysmac.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley Studio 5000 and HMIs.
• Hands-on commissioning and on-site troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• PLC programming and troubleshooting.
• HMI development and standardization.
• Commissioning, machine start-ups, and acceptance testing.
• Integrating controls hardware and robotics.
• Root cause analysis and implementing reliability improvements.

Skills

Industrial controls experience with Omron Sysmac

PLC programming and troubleshooting

HMI development

Robotics integration experience

Knowledge of SQL, Python, Visual Basic

Job description

I'm working with a manufacturing business that's investing heavily in automation and digital transformation. They're looking for an Automation & Digitalisation Engineer to take ownership of controls projects from programming and commissioning through to ongoing support and continuous improvement.

The role is hands-on, covering PLC and HMI development, machine commissioning, troubleshooting, controls integration, and industrial data collection. You'll work across a variety of automation technologies including conveyors, robotics, motion systems, sensors, pneumatics, and machine networking, while supporting improvements in safety, uptime, efficiency, and production visibility.

You'll be involved in:

• PLC programming and troubleshooting (Omron Sysmac is preferred, but Allen-Bradley Studio 5000 is also highly desirable)
• HMI development and standardisation
• Commissioning, FAT/SAT, machine start-ups, and acceptance testing
• Integrating controls hardware, robotics, conveyors, motion systems, sensors, and pneumatics
• Root cause analysis and implementing long-term reliability improvements
• Supporting digitalisation initiatives including machine data capture, SQL/OEE reporting, and industrial networking
• Working closely with engineering, maintenance, production, OEMs, and system integrators to deliver automation projects

What they're looking for

• Strong industrial controls experience with Omron Sysmac (essential)
• Experience with Allen-Bradley Studio 5000, HMIs, and industrial networking
• Hands-on commissioning and on-site troubleshooting experience
• Robotics integration experience (Omron, ABB, FANUC or similar) is highly beneficial
• Background delivering automation projects within manufacturing, OEM, or system integration environments
• Knowledge of SQL, Python, or Visual Basic for automation and data integration is a bonus

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys owning projects from concept through commissioning while helping drive automation and digital improvements across a modern manufacturing site.