Automation Engineer

ZSG; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 115,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k)

Profit sharing

Performance bonuses

Paid parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Stock program

Job summary

ZSG in Charleston, SC is seeking a Crane & Mobile Maintenance Automation Engineer to support automation, electrical maintenance, and control systems across crane and mobile equipment operations. This hands-on role emphasizes troubleshooting PLC-based systems, updating documentation, and ensuring uptime in a heavy industrial environment.

The position offers base compensation of $115,000–$135,000 with OT and a profit-sharing bonus, plus a schedule that aligns with 7am–4pm, Monday–Friday.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 2+ years of industrial electrical maintenance experience.
• 1+ year supporting PLC/automation systems in an industrial environment.
• Experience with HMIs, sensors, safety devices, and automation hardware.
• Hands-on programming with Rockwell Studio 5000 or Siemens TIA Portal.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and repair PLC-based crane and mobile equipment control systems.
• Diagnose electrical and controls failures and implement corrective actions.
• Monitor and optimize PLC logic to improve reliability and production.
• Assist startup, commissioning, and debugging of crane automation equipment.
• Maintain HMI screens, alarms, and data collection.
• Troubleshoot VFDs, motion control, Ethernet/IP/Profinet/Modbus networks.
• Perform preventive/predictive maintenance on crane automation and electrical systems.
• Read schematics and PLC programs; document changes.

Skills

PLC programming

Electrical maintenance

Automation troubleshooting

HMI programming

Industrial networking

Preventive maintenance

Education

High school diploma

Electrical Engineering degree

Tools

Rockwell Studio 5000

Siemens TIA Portal

Job description

Crane & Mobile Maintenance Automation Engineer

Compensation: $115,000–$135,000 base + OT + Profit-Sharing Bonus

Schedule: 7am-4pm, M-F

A leading heavy industrial manufacturing facility is seeking a Crane & Mobile Maintenance Automation Engineer to support automation, electrical maintenance, and control systems across crane and mobile equipment operations. This role is ideal for a hands‑on automation professional with strong experience troubleshooting PLC‑based systems, diagnosing electrical and controls issues, and supporting production‑critical equipment in a heavy industrial environment.

In this position, you will troubleshoot, maintain, and repair PLC‑based crane and mobile control systems, including I/O, sensors, field devices, actuators, VFDs, motion control systems, HMIs, and industrial communication networks. You will also support startup, commissioning, debugging, preventive maintenance, documentation, program backups, and change control for automation systems.

This is a strong opportunity for someone who enjoys working in a high‑impact industrial setting where safety, reliability, equipment uptime, and continuous improvement are top priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and repair PLC-based crane and mobile equipment control systems, including I/O, field devices, sensors, actuators, and safety devices.


• Diagnose electrical, controls, automation, and equipment failures and implement corrective action.


• Monitor, adjust, and optimize PLC logic to improve equipment reliability and production performance.


• Support startup, commissioning, and debugging of new crane automation equipment.


• Maintain and update HMI screens, alarms, and data collection systems.


• Troubleshoot VFDs, motion control systems, motor controls, AC drives, and industrial communication networks such as Ethernet/IP, Profinet, and Modbus.


• Perform preventive and predictive maintenance on crane automation and electrical systems.


• Read and interpret electrical schematics, PLC programs, and mechanical drawings.


• Maintain accurate documentation, backups, and change control for PLC programs and automation systems.


• Support scheduled and unscheduled overtime, including call‑ins, as needed.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.


• At least 2 years of industrial electrical maintenance experience.


• At least 1 year of experience supporting PLC and automation systems in an industrial environment.


• Experience with HMIs, sensors, photoeyes, proximity sensors, analog devices, and safety devices.


• Hands‑on programming experience with Rockwell Studio 5000 or Siemens TIA Portal.


• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of overhead crane components and crane operation.


• Experience with motors, motor controls, AC drives, and VFDs.


• Four‑year Electrical Engineering degree.


• HMI programming experience with Wonderware, WinCC, FactoryTalk, or Ignition.


• PC and basic industrial networking experience.


• Predictive data analysis or PDA experience.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This opportunity offers a highly stable industrial environment with strong long‑term growth potential, competitive compensation, and a culture built around safety, teamwork, and internal advancement. The company offers strong benefits, including medical, dental, vision, disability insurance, 401(k), Roth accounts, profit sharing, pay‑for‑performance bonuses, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, stock program, scholarships, and more.

Skill Keywords

PLC Programming, Rockwell Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal, Industrial Automation, Electrical Maintenance, Crane Automation, HMI Programming, VFD Troubleshooting, Industrial Networking, Preventive Maintenance