Automation Engineer

Talos Automation; Greenville (SC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Talos Automation seeks an experienced PLC Controls Programmer for a major Life Sciences/Medical Device automation project. You will develop, program, test, commission, and support custom equipment, with Beckhoff experience preferred and Rockwell/AB considered if you’re open to learning Beckhoff.

The role involves three production lines, on-site commissioning in Mexico, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams across engineering disciplines while prioritizing safety and quality.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of controls/automation experience.
• Strong PLC and HMI programming experience.
• Beckhoff experience strongly preferred; Rockwell/AB considered if open to learning Beckhoff.
• Experience with custom automation equipment.
• Strong troubleshooting and debugging abilities.
• Able to read electrical schematics and control system documentation.
• Willingness to travel internationally for extended onsite assignments.
• Valid U.S. passport required for travel to Mexico.

Responsibilities

• Develop and design PLC and HMI software packages for custom automation equipment.
• Program and configure Beckhoff PLC/control systems.
• Develop HMI applications and machine interfaces.
• Program robotic and controls equipment per customer specifications.
• Review and interpret customer specifications to ensure equipment functionality.
• Support controls design reviews and verify functionality of work.
• Perform system testing, troubleshooting, debugging, startup, and commissioning.
• Ensure equipment operates according to approved customer specifications.
• Diagnose electrical, controls, communication, and software-related issues.
• Develop operation manuals documenting machine functionality and setup.
• Provide technical documentation and service reports.
• Provide technical support and training to customers and end users.
• Maintain a strong focus on safety; collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

Beckhoff experience

Rockwell/Allen-Bradley

Structured Text or C#

Troubleshooting

Reading schematics

Travel willingness

Onsite work

Tools

Beckhoff

Job description

Travel: Approximately 6–8 weeks onsite in Mexico then onto Nashville for 10 months

Hours: 40–60 hours/week

About the Opportunity:

We are seeking an experienced PLC Controls Programmer to join a major custom automation project supporting the Life Sciences / Medical Device industry.

This is an exciting opportunity for a controls professional who enjoys working on custom-built automation equipment, PLC/HMI programming, commissioning, troubleshooting, and debugging.

This is not a production support role. You will be directly involved in developing, programming, testing, commissioning, and supporting sophisticated automated machinery from design through startup.

Beckhoff experience is strongly preferred. However, candidates with strong Rockwell/Allen-Bradley experience, particularly those with Structured Text or C# programming experience, will also be considered if they are open to learning Beckhoff.

The Project:

The project consists of three production lines, with each line containing three large automation modules.

The equipment will operate offline using dedicated controllers and will ultimately be installed and commissioned at the customer site in Mexico.

You will play a key role in bringing these systems from controls design and programming through final commissioning and customer acceptance.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and design PLC and HMI software packages for custom automation equipment.


• Program and configure Beckhoff PLC/control systems.


• Develop HMI applications and machine interfaces.


• Program robotic and controls equipment in accordance with customer specifications.


• Review and interpret customer specifications to ensure equipment functionality meets requirements.


• Support controls design reviews and verify functionality of your own work and other engineers' work.


• Perform system testing, troubleshooting, debugging, startup, and commissioning.


• Ensure equipment operates according to approved customer specifications.


• Diagnose electrical, controls, communication, and software-related issues.


• Support preventative maintenance activities when required.


• Develop operation manuals documenting machine functionality and setup.


• Provide technical documentation and service reports.


• Provide technical support and training to customers and end users.


• Work closely with electrical, mechanical, robotics, and other engineering disciplines.


• Maintain a strong focus on safety while working at company and customer facilities.


• Build positive and professional relationships with customers, including in high-pressure commissioning environments.


• Support the project from initial design through final installation and commissioning.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• 5–10 years of relevant controls/automation experience.


• Strong experience with PLC and HMI programming.


• Beckhoff experience strongly preferred.


• Candidates without Beckhoff experience may be considered with strong Rockwell/Allen-Bradley experience.


• Rockwell candidates should ideally have experience with Structured Text and/or C#.


• Experience working with custom automation equipment.


• Strong troubleshooting and debugging abilities.


• Ability to read and understand electrical schematics and control system documentation.


• Experience with industrial automation systems and machine controls.


• Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.


• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams.


• Ability to work onsite at customer facilities as required.


• Ability to work extended hours during critical commissioning periods.


• Ability and willingness to travel internationally for extended onsite assignments.


• Valid U.S. passport required for travel to Mexico.

Industry Experience

Experience within Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, Biotech, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments is highly desirable.

The ability to work within a structured, quality-focused environment and understand customer specifications is important.

Custom automation experience is a priority.

Travel & Onsite Requirements

The position will require significant travel during installation and commissioning.

• Installation and commissioning will take place in Mexico.


• Approximately 6–8 weeks in Mexico.


• Travel is expected to begin approximately 50 weeks from project commencement, so candidates must be able to secure and maintain a valid U.S. passport well in advance.


• Candidates must be comfortable working onsite 5 days per week.


• Non-local candidates are welcome and must be willing to travel/relocate to the required project location.


• Travel expenses for Mexico will be covered in accordance with the project travel policy.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on controls professional who genuinely enjoys:

• Programming PLCs and HMIs


• Troubleshooting controls issues


• Commissioning new equipment


• Working through difficult technical problems


• Working on custom-built machinery rather than repetitive production support