Automation Engineer

Dover Manufacturing Corporation; Elon (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Dover Manufacturing Corporation seeks an Automation Engineer to design, program, and commission automated assembly and testing systems in a fast-paced production environment. You will develop PLC programs (AB/Siemens), program robots (FANUC, UR), and build HMI interfaces for control and diagnostics.

Collaborating with mechanical and electrical teams, you will integrate vision systems for quality inspection, configure servo/motion control, and manage vendor relations through FAT/SAT activities to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant engineering field.
• Experience in industrial automation design and commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, and debug PLCs for assembly automation equipment.
• Program and integrate industrial robots for pick-and-place and other tasks.
• Develop HMI screens for machine control and diagnostics.
• Integrate vision systems for part inspection and quality verification.
• Configure servo motion control, VFDs, and motor drives.
• Lead vendor evaluations and coordinate FAT/SAT activities.
• Provide technical support and continuous improvement for downtime reduction.
• Collaborate with mechanical/electrical engineers during design phases.

Skills

PLC programming

Industrial robotics programming

HMI development

Vision systems integration

Troubleshooting

Vendor management

Safety awareness

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics

Tools

FANUC programming

Universal Robots programming

Autodesk Inventor

SolidWorks

Job description

The Automation Engineer will be responsible for the design, programming, integration, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of automated assembly and testing equipment, including PLC-controlled machinery, robotic work cells, and associated controls hardware. This role will work cross-functionally with manufacturing engineering, maintenance, quality, and production teams to bring automated systems from concept through commissioning (both in-house and vendor) and provide ongoing production support. We are looking for individuals who have knowledge or experience in assembly/testing and automation processes, a keen eye for safety and quality, the ability to solve problems and troubleshoot, and the desire to develop and expand their skills in a production-driven environment. The Automation Engineer will report to the PES Value Stream Manager.What You'll DoControls Design and ProgrammingDesign, develop, and debug PLC programs (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar) for assembly automation equipmentProgram and integrate industrial robots (FANUC, Universal Robots, etc.) for pick-and-place, path planning, material handling, loading/unloading, dispensing, welding, or assembly applicationsDevelop HMI screens and operator interfaces for machine control and diagnosticsDesign and implement vision system integration (Keyence or similar) for part inspection, guidance, and quality verificationConfigure and troubleshoot servo motion control systems, VFDs, and motor drivesCollaborate with mechanical and electrical design engineers during the concept and design phases to ensure controls feasibilityEquipment Specification & Vendor ManagementDevelop detailed technical specifications (URS/equipment specs) for new automation equipment, including PLC, robotics, and vision system requirementsResearch and evaluate automation equipment vendors, integrators, and component suppliers based on technical fit, cost, lead time, and reliabilitySolicit and review vendor quotes and proposals; lead technical evaluation and vendor selection processManage vendor-built automation projects from kickoff through FAT/SAT and installation, including schedule tracking, budget oversight, and change order managementReview vendor-supplied design packages, electrical schematics, and controls documentation for compliance with internal standards and specificationsAct as primary technical point of contact and lead design reviews, progress meetings, and FAT/SAT activities with external vendors and integratorsEnsure vendor equipment meets safety, quality, and performance requirements prior to acceptance and handoff to productionTroubleshooting & Continuous ImprovementProvide technical support for installed equipment, including root cause analysis and corrective action for downtime eventsIdentify and implement improvements to improve machine uptime, cycle time, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)Support preventive maintenance programs and develop troubleshooting documentation for maintenance and production staffAnalyze production data and machine performance to identify optimization opportunitiesIntegrate mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and controls subsystems into functioning automated work cellsDocumentation & ComplianceCreate and maintain electrical schematics, I/O lists, controls architecture diagrams, and program documentation that complies with all applicable safety standardsParticipate in risk assessments and safety validation for automated equipmentMaintain version control and backups of PLC, HMI, and robot programsWhat You'll BringBachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Mechatronics, Controls Engineering, or a related field3+ years of experience programming and troubleshooting PLCs in an industrial/manufacturing environmentHands-on experience programming industrial robots and integrating them into automated systemsWorking knowledge of electrical schematics, ladder logic, structured text, and function block programmingUnderstanding of pneumatics, sensors (photo eyes, proximity, encoders), servo/motion control, and machine safety circuitsExperience with HMI development platformsStrong troubleshooting skills with the ability to diagnose mechanical, electrical, and software issues under time pressureAbility to read and interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, and P&IDsAdvanced knowledge of Microsoft Office SuiteThe Ideal Candidate Will Also BringExperience with FANUC and Universal Robots programming/certificationFamiliarity with machine vision systems (Keyence or similar)Experience with industrial networking protocols (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, DeviceNet, Modbus TCP)Experience with Autodesk Inventor, SolidWorks, or similar 3D CAD software for reviewing mechanical designsPrior experience in high-volume assembly and testing automation, packaging automation, or similarSix Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, or continuous improvement trainingYou should be proficient in:Bachelor's Degree120/208/240/480 Voltage SystemsCNC Machine InstallationCAD SoftwareDesign for Assembly (DFA)Electrical / Electronic SystemsConduit PullingConduit BendingAccess Control SystemsAerospace Manufacturing