Automation Engineer

Commissioning Partners; Kentucky; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Commissioning Partners seeks an Automation Engineer to design, program, integrate, commission, and maintain industrial automation and material-handling systems in manufacturing and warehouse settings across Kentucky, USA.

Focusing on Siemens TIA Portal/S7-1500 PLCs, WinCC HMIs, AMRs, conveyors, robotics, vision, and RFID devices, you will ensure reliability, perform FAT/SAT, and contribute to continuous improvement and documentation.

Qualifications

• 4+ years in industrial automation or related field
• Strong Siemens TIA Portal and S7-1500 PLC experience
• Proficient in WinCC/HMI development
• Experience integrating AMRs, conveyors, robotics, vision, and RFID/barcode tech
• Proficient in FAT/SAT, commissioning, and RCA
• Familiar with MOC processes and SAP PM
• Excellent cross‑functional communication

Responsibilities

• Develop, troubleshoot, and maintain PLC programs using Siemens TIA Portal and S7-1500 PLCs for manufacturing and material‑handling applications.
• Design and configure HMI/SCADA using WinCC for equipment status, alarms, operator controls, diagnostics and visualization.
• Integrate and commission AMRs, conveyors, robotics, vision systems, barcode scanners, RFID devices, sensors, and safety interlocks in automation systems.
• Configure and troubleshoot industrial networks supporting PLCs, HMIs, robots, and field devices.
• Perform FAT, SAT, commissioning, functional testing, and system acceptance for automation systems.
• Execute PLC, HMI, instrumentation, and automation troubleshooting to resolve issues.
• Support preventive maintenance and reliability initiatives; perform RCA for automation failures.
• Document MOC activities and updates to control-system modifications and upgrades.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Maintenance, Engineering, IT and vendors to drive automation improvements.
• Optimize material-flow and intralogistics to improve reliability, throughput, and efficiency.

Skills

Siemens TIA Portal

S7-1500 PLCs

WinCC/HMI development

Industrial communication networks

AMRs

Robotics

Vision systems

Barcode/RFID technologies

FAT/SAT/commissioning

Root cause analysis (RCA)

MOC processes

Alarm management

Instrumentation calibration

SAP PM

Job description

The Automation Engineer will support the design, programming, integration, commissioning, and maintenance of industrial automation and material-handling systems across manufacturing and warehouse environments.

The role will focus on PLC-based control systems, robotics, HMI/SCADA, industrial communications, automated intralogistics, and equipment reliability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, modify, troubleshoot, and maintain PLC control programs using Siemens TIA Portal and S7-1500 PLCs for manufacturing and material-handling applications.
• Design and configure HMI/SCADA applications using WinCC, including equipment status, alarms, operator controls, diagnostics, and process visualization.
• Integrate and commission AMRs, conveyors, robotics, vision systems, barcode scanners, RFID devices, sensors, and safety interlocks within automated warehouse and manufacturing systems.
• Configure and troubleshoot industrial communication networks supporting PLCs, HMIs, robots, material-handling equipment, and field devices.
• Perform FAT, SAT, equipment startup, commissioning, functional testing, and system acceptance for automation and control systems.
• Execute PLC, HMI, instrumentation, and automation troubleshooting to identify and resolve equipment and process-related issues.
• Support preventive maintenance, equipment reliability initiatives, and corrective actions for automated manufacturing and warehouse systems.
• Perform root cause analysis (RCA) for automation failures, recurring equipment issues, alarms, communication faults, and production downtime.
• Support instrumentation calibration and verification of sensors, actuators, scanners, and other field devices associated with automated systems.
• Implement and document Management of Change (MOC) activities for PLC programs, control-system modifications, equipment upgrades, and automation improvements.
• Perform alarm analysis and alarm rationalization to improve system response, operator awareness, and equipment reliability.
• Utilize SAP PM for maintenance activities, equipment records, work orders, preventive-maintenance planning, and technical asset documentation.
• Develop and maintain automation documentation, including PLC/HMI documentation, control-system specifications, commissioning records, troubleshooting procedures, and maintenance documentation.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Maintenance, Engineering, Controls, IT, Operations, and equipment vendors to troubleshoot issues and implement automation improvements.
• Support optimization of automated material-flow and intralogistics systems to improve system reliability, equipment availability, throughput, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure automation modifications, testing, commissioning, and maintenance activities are properly documented and executed in accordance with established engineering and operational procedures.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• 4+ years of experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, PLC programming, or automation commissioning.
• Strong experience with Siemens TIA Portal and S7-1500 PLCs.
• Experience with WinCC and HMI development.
• Knowledge of industrial communication networks and automated control architectures.
• Hands-on experience integrating AMRs, conveyors, robotics, vision systems, barcode/RFID technologies, and safety systems.
• Experience with FAT, SAT, commissioning, troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and RCA.
• Experience supporting instrumentation calibration and automation equipment maintenance.
• Working knowledge of MOC processes, alarm management, SAP PM, and technical documentation.
• Strong cross-functional communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to support automated manufacturing and warehouse environments with a focus on equipment reliability, system performance, and continuous improvement.