Automation Engineer

CBRE; Concord (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401k matching

Paid time off and holidays

Life insurance

Employee wellness programs

Job summary

CBRE is seeking an Automation Engineer to support advanced automation systems for mission-critical facilities. You will apply controls knowledge to optimize maintenance strategies, diagnose issues, and improve performance of conveyors, PLCs, vision systems, and SCADA platforms.

The role emphasizes uptime, safety, and operational excellence across distributed sites. The ideal candidate has 2–5 years of hands-on experience with automation systems, PLC programming, and robotics, with a focus on

Qualifications

• Two to five years of relevant experience in engineering design cycles.
• Experience with PLC programming, robotics components, and SCADA monitoring and control systems.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and modify software for material handling control systems including PLC/PC controllers.
• Provide first-level escalation support on-site and remotely; respond to emergencies.
• Inspect systems to ensure operation meets design capabilities and client requirements.
• Oversee work by outside contractors for upgrades and maintenance of specialized systems.
• Communicate with stakeholders on timelines, issues, and production impacts.

Skills

PLC programming

Robotics systems

SCADA monitoring

Control systems troubleshooting

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

RSLogix 5000

Allen-Bradley PLC

Job description

Role Type

Full-time

FLSA Status

Exempt (Salaried)

CBRE is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity. At CBRE Global Workplace Solutions (GWS), safety is our top priority. We foster a safety-first culture where employees are empowered to perform at their best and return home safely every day. We’re looking for a skilled and motivated Automation Engineer to join our growing team, supporting advanced automation systems for one of the world’s largest online retailers. Read on to learn more!

About The Role

If you thrive in fast paced environments, enjoy hands‑on problem solving, and want to make a measurable impact while working with modern automation and control systems, this role offers the challenge, autonomy, and growth opportunities to take your engineering career to the next level. In this role, you won’t just maintain systems—you’ll continuously improve them. You’ll apply your controls and automation knowledge to optimize preventive maintenance strategies, diagnose sophisticated issues, and enhance the performance of industry leading technologies such as conveyors, sortation systems, PLCs, scanners, vision systems, print-and-apply equipment, and SCADA platforms. Your work will directly influence uptime, safety, and operational excellence across mission critical facilities.

What You’ll Do

• Promote a safe working environment by complying with all applicable codes, regulations, governmental agencies, and company directives related to system operations and work safety.
• Troubleshoot and modify software programs for material handling control systems, including PLC/PC controllers, Allen Bradley Controllogix/Compactlogix PLC platform and RSLogix 5000 software package.
• Act as first level escalation in troubleshooting support, both on‑site and remotely, as well as during and after business hours, to repair all MHE controls software systems. Respond quickly to emergency situations, summoning assistance as needed.
• Inspect systems to ensure the operation of equipment is within design capabilities and achieve operational conditions prescribed by the client.
• Oversee scope of development, work request initiation, scheduling, and inspection of work performed by outside contractors, which includes proprietary work, licensed installations, upgrades, and maintenance and inspection of specialized systems.
• Engineer process solutions and reliability improvement from concept to network implementation.
• Monitor Industrial networks such as Ethernet, ControlNet, DeviceNet, Profibus, AS‑I, motor control systems, servo drives, frequency drives, and electrical distribution systems.
• Monitor material handling equipment metrics and partner with site team to resolve equipment electrical problems that create performance deficiencies.
• Proactively and effectively communicate with multiple stakeholders including, but not limited to, leadership, operations and the maintenance team on technical issues and project timelines and production impacts.
• Facilitate analysis and reviews of failures and processes to provide recommendations to implement improvements or retraining to avoid future incidents.
• Perform controls systems assessments to maintain and improve equipment reliability.
• Clearly communicate technical issues, project timelines, and product impacts with site leadership, operations and maintenance teams.
• Cultivate positive working relationships with our Client and the Operations Maintenance team members.
• Perform other job‑related duties as needed or assigned.

What You’ll Need

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.
• Bachelor's Degree preferred with 2‑5 years of relevant experience. In lieu of a degree, a combination of experience and education may be considered.
• Experience in at least two engineering design cycles including specification, component selection and programming.
• 2+ years of experience working with PLC programming, robotics system components and controls, and SCADA‑based monitoring and control systems.
• Ability to be available and work in a flexible schedule/shift/work area, including weekends, nights, and/or holidays.
• Ability to independently solve problems and carry out general instructions in standard situations with limited to no oversight.
• Meet the physical requirements of this role including stooping, standing, walking, climbing stairs/ladders, and the ability to lift/carry heavy loads of 50 lbs. or more.
• Ability to guide the exchange of sensitive, complicated, and difficult information, convey performance expectations, and handle problems.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years apprenticeship or equivalent experience in Control Systems troubleshooting/ programming.
• Experience supporting a range of different conveyors and sortation systems.
• Experience with robotic maintenance.
• In‑depth knowledge of Microsoft Office products. Examples include Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.
• Extensive organizational skills with a strong inquisitive mindset.
• Advanced math skills. Ability to calculate difficult figures such as percentages, fractions, and other financial‑related calculations.

CBRE Employee Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision
• Disability benefit program
• 401k company matching
• Paid time off and holidays
• Company paid life insurance
• Pet insurance
• Paid parental leave

Why CBRE?

We invest in our employees’ development. The core of our strategy is the view that development happens through three key activities: on‑the‑job learning, coaching and formal training. We provide employees with resources that support them in developing skills to enhance performance in their current role as well as for future roles. We offer competitive pay, a robust benefits package, wellness programs, and a workplace environment that embraces diversity. Come join our global network of professionals supporting client operations across CBRE. Looking for growth and career advancement? Upon completing six months of successful service, associates may explore career advancement opportunities within the organization!

Equal Employment Opportunity: CBRE is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity. We have a long‑standing commitment to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, veteran status, political belief, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

CBRE values the differences of all current and prospective employees and recognizes how every employee contributes to our company’s success. CBRE provides reasonable accommodations in job application procedures for individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request via email at [e-mail] or via telephone at [phone] (U.S.) and [phone] (Canada).