Automation Engineer

Southco, Inc.; Concordville (PA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3 weeks PTO

9 company holidays

401(k) match

Employee stock ownership (ESOP)

Medical benefits from day one

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Southco seeks an Automation Engineer to design, implement and improve automated systems powering our manufacturing operations. You will troubleshoot complex controls, lead improvement projects, and collaborate with production, engineering and external vendors to specify and integrate equipment.

Responsibilities include PLC programming, machine vision, robotics, and electrical controls; you will ensure safety and reliability while delivering projects on time and on budget.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Automation Engineering or equivalent.
• 5+ years in manufacturing with industrial automation focus.
• Hands-on with automated assembly equipment and PLC programming.
• Reading schematics and working with safety-rated controls.
• Experience integrating robots and knowledge of robotics safety standards.
• Proven vendor management and project delivery track record.

Responsibilities

• Keep production lines running by diagnosing PLC and drive issues.
• Program ladder logic, function blocks, or structured text on controllers.
• Configure and maintain machine vision for inspection and QA.
• Read schematics, wire panels, and ensure safety-rated I/O.
• Integrate robots to spec and ensure safety compliance.

Skills

PLC & controls

Robotics integration

Machine vision systems

Schematic reading

Vendor management

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Automation Engineering

Tools

Studio 5000 / RSLogix

Omron Sysmac Studio

FactoryTalk View

Job description

With over 70 years of engineering excellence and a global presence spanning multiple countries, Southco is a leading manufacturer of engineered access solutions. Our innovative products—such as locks, latches, fasteners, hinges, and handles—serve a wide array of industries worldwide. We are passionate about fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture that values creativity, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

While you most likely never hear of Southco, we are over 125 years in business. We are a family-owned company that values our employees & customers.

A Few important highlights about the job and Southco:

• Newly Created Role
• 1000+ Patents in 150 categories
• 88% retention rate of employees
• Generous Yearly Bonus
• Grow & Stable Family and employee owned company
• 3 Weeks PTO + 9 Company Holidays
• Medical Benefits—day one—extremely reasonable rates
• 401 (K) Match + Employee stock ownership (3-year vesting in each)
• Onsite—Monday-Friday
• Clean, safe and modern Plant

Southco is looking for an Automation Engineer to design, implement, and continuously improve the automated systems that power our manufacturing operations. This role applies engineering principles and hands-on technical expertise to keep our automated assembly equipment running reliably, to troubleshoot and resolve complex controls issues, and to lead improvement projects from concept through implementation. You'll work closely with production, engineering, and outside automation vendors to specify, evaluate, and integrate new equipment, and you'll be a go-to resource for PLC programming, machine vision, robotics, and electrical controls across the plant floor.

What you will be doing

Keep it running: diagnose and fix issues across PLC-controlled conveyors, servo/stepper drives, pneumatics, robotics, and end-of-arm tooling.

Program the brains: write and troubleshoot ladder logic, function blocks, or structured text on industrial controllers.

See what the line sees: configure and maintain machine vision systems for inspection and quality control.

Wire it up: read schematics and panel layouts, and maintain safety-rated controls and I/O.

Bring in the robots: integrate and program industrial robots to spec and to safety standard.

Own the vendor relationship: write specs, run design reviews, and lead acceptance testing for new equipment.

Deliver: run your projects on schedule and on budget, and pitch in wherever the team needs it.

About you

Required Skills:

Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Automation Engineering — or equivalent hands-on experience.

5+ years in a manufacturing environment focused on industrial automation.

Hands-on experience with automated assembly equipment: conveyors, servo/stepper drives, pneumatics, robotics, and end-of-arm tooling.

Working knowledge of PLC programming (ladder logic, function blocks, or structured text) and machine vision systems.

Comfort reading electrical schematics and working with safety-rated controls.

Experience integrating industrial robots and familiarity with robotics safety standards (RIA/ANSI).

A track record of managing vendors and delivering projects independently, on time and on budget.

Sharp communication skills and a knack for working across engineering, production, and outside partners.

Preferred Skills:

PLC/HMI platforms: Studio 5000, RSLogix 5000/500, Omron Sysmac Studio/CX-Programmer, FactoryTalk View, or Ignition.

Vision systems: Keyence (IV/IV2/IV4/IX, XG/CV/VS) or Cognex (In-Sight, VisionPro).

Networking: EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, Modbus, or Profibus.

Extras: SCADA/MES exposure, Lean or Six Sigma background, Rockwell Automation certification, or an advanced

How will we reward you

Generous time off – starting at 3 weeks of annualized PTO (first year is prorated based on start date), 9 company holidays plus 2 floating holidays.

401(k) Savings and Investment Plan - Company makes matching contributions of 50% up to the first 6% of eligible pay you contribute and up to 2% contribution of eligible pay based on company performance.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) valued at approximately 4-6% of eligible earnings which includes dividend payments after 3-year vesting period.

Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) beginning first day of employment; company funds a portion of HSA for high-deductible health plans.

Company paid Life & Disability Insurance including: Short term, Long Term, and Life.

Tuition Reimbursement program to support undergraduate or graduate programs.

Southco is an equal opportunity employer. Accordingly, Southco will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, veteran status, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, disability, or other protected status recognized by state or local law.

Information at a Glance

Southco is the leading global manufacturer of Engineered Access Hardware with manufacturing and engineering facilities in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. From quality and performance to aesthetics and ergonomics, we know small touches make a big difference. The people of Southco are passionate about connecting with our customers to create innovative engineered access hardware solutions aimed at enhancing the "touch points" of our customers' products. With unrivaled global supply and support, innovative products and dedicated people, Southco provides customers throughout the world with the broadest line of high quality Access Hardware Solutions on the market today for applications in the Networking, Telecommunications, Computer, Automotive, Aerospace, Mass Transit, Off-Highway/Construction, RV/Caravan, Industrial Machinery, Marine and HVAC industries.

Benefits we offer our employees:

• Generous time off – starting at 3 weeks of annualized PTO (first year is prorated based on start date), 9 company holidays plus 2 floating holidays
• 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan – Company makes automatic 2% contribution of eligible pay plus matching contributions of 50% up to the first 6% of eligible pay you contribute.
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan valued at approximately 4-6% of eligible earnings which includes dividend payments after 3 year vesting period
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) beginning first day of employment; company funds a portion of HSA for high deductible health plans
• Company paid Life & Disability Insurance including: Short term, Long Term, and Life
• Great Tuition Reimbursement program to support undergraduate or graduate programs available to all employees