Automation Engineer

Cindavi; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15 days PTO and company holidays

Job summary

Cindavi is seeking an Automation Systems Modeling Engineer to own simulation and emulation work for automated material handling systems. This onsite role can be based in the Chicago metropolitan area, with offices in Aurora, IL and nearby states, and travel around 15%.

You will build digital twins from layouts, extend models with C#, run cross‑functional simulations, and prepare reports on performance and design implications for deployments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or Software Engineering or equivalent experience.
• At least four years of relevant experience; five+ preferred.
• Hands-on proficiency in digital twin or simulation software; Emulate3D preferred.
• Solid C# experience used to extend or customize models.
• Comfort with data using Excel and SQL.
• Ability to read mechanical drawings and work with 3D models of automated systems.
• PLC familiarity to connect models to controllers; testing/emulation a plus.
• Onsite work near listed offices with ~15% travel.

Responsibilities

• Build and refine digital twin models from automated material handling layouts in a 3D environment.
• Customize model equipment and logic using C# and software extensions for simulation and emulation.
• Run simulations with cross‑functional teams to validate system rates and inform design changes.
• Develop emulation models for integrated controls and connect models to PLCs/controllers for testing.
• Prepare internal and customer-facing reports explaining modeling assumptions and results.

Skills

Digital twin

Simulation software

C#

Excel

SQL

Mechanical drawings interpretation

PLC familiarity

Onsite collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Mechatronics or Software Engineering

Master's degree (considered)

Tools

Emulate3D

Excel

SQL

Job description

Will an automated system perform as designed before deployment? Help us answer that question. Join our team and turn digital twins into the evidence behind better designs, controls testing, and deployment decisions.

Job Summary

We're hiring an Automation Systems Modeling Engineer to own simulation and emulation work for automated material handling systems. This onsite role can be based in the Chicago, Philadelphia, Grand Rapids, or Rochester metropolitan areas, at our offices in Aurora, IL; Philadelphia, PA; Grand Rapids, MI; or Victor, NY.

You'll work with engineering, controls, and software teams to bring mechanical layouts into 3D environments, validate system performance, and support integrated testing before deployment. This is an individual contributor opportunity to build a dedicated modeling capability and help establish the foundation for a systems engineering group.

What You'll Do

• Build and refine digital twin models from automated material handling layouts, representing equipment and material flows in a 3D environment.
• Customize model equipment and logic using C# and software extensions to support simulation and emulation needs.
• Run simulations with engineering, controls, and software teams to validate projected system rates and inform design changes.
• Develop emulation models for integrated controls and software testing, connect models to PLCs/controllers, and support testing activities.
• Prepare internal and customer-facing reports explaining modeling assumptions, simulation results, and system performance.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or Software Engineering from an accredited university, or equivalent experience. A master's degree will also be considered.
• At least four years of relevant experience, with five or more years preferred.
• Hands-on proficiency in digital twin or simulation software. Emulate3D is strongly preferred; comparable platforms are acceptable with a credible transition plan.
• Solid C# experience, or very closely comparable programming experience, used to extend or customize models.
• Comfort working with data using tools such as Excel and SQL.
• Ability to interpret mechanical drawings and layouts and work with 3D models of automated material handling systems.
• Controls/PLC familiarity sufficient to connect models to controllers. PLC programming and emulation experience for integration testing are a plus.
• Availability for onsite work near one of the listed offices and approximately 15% travel, generally in one- or two-day trips.

We offer an annual base salary of $90,000-$120,000, 15 days of PTO, and company holidays. Ready to turn models into meaningful engineering decisions?