Automation Engineer

Walker Lovell Ltd; Missouri; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent base salary

Performance-linked package

Exposure to major plant automation

Direct PLC/SCADA and network projects

Career progression

Job summary

Walker Lovell Ltd in Missouri seeks an experienced Automation Engineer to own automation projects, troubleshoot complex PLC/SCADA issues, and drive upgrades across a large industrial site. You will work closely with operations and maintenance teams to enhance plant reliability and safety.

The role offers visibility across engineering leadership and opportunities for ongoing technical development within a major manufacturing business.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in industrial automation, process controls, or control systems engineering.
• Strong knowledge of Allen Bradley PLC platforms, HMI/SCADA systems, and industrial networking.
• Experience in heavy industrial environments such as mining, cement, lime, or similar industries.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation and process control improvements to enhance safety, reliability, and production efficiency.
• Troubleshoot and resolve PLC, SCADA, instrumentation, and network issues across manufacturing operations.
• Support automation upgrades, plant network projects, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Develop reporting, data acquisition, and visualization solutions to improve operational decisions.

Skills

Industrial automation

Process controls

Control systems engineering

Allen-Bradley PLC platforms

HMI/SCADA

Industrial networking

Education

Automation Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Mechatronics or related field

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

HMI/SCADA software

Industrial networking equipment

Job description

Compensation: Excellent base salary + performance-linked package reflecting experience and impact

What's in it for you?

Take ownership of automation and control systems at a large-scale industrial operation where your work will have a visible impact on plant reliability, production and safety.

This is a hands-on engineering role with real autonomy. You’ll work directly with operations, maintenance and engineering teams to troubleshoot plant issues, improve control strategies and deliver automation upgrades that make a measurable difference.

• Excellent base salary and performance-linked package reflecting experience and impact
• Exposure to major plant automation and control projects
• Direct involvement in PLC, SCADA, instrumentation and industrial network improvements
• Strong visibility across plant operations and engineering leadership
• Ongoing technical development and progression opportunities
• Long-term career opportunities within a large industrial manufacturing business

Why This Business

This is a well-established global industrial manufacturer with significant investment in plant reliability, automation and operational improvement.

The site offers the scale and technical complexity to keep an experienced Automation Engineer challenged, while still giving you the autonomy to own problems, influence solutions and work closely with the people running the plant every day.

Rather than sitting purely behind a desk, you’ll be close to the operation and able to see the results of your work firsthand.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead automation and process control improvements that enhance safety, reliability, and production efficiency
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex PLC, SCADA, instrumentation, and network issues across manufacturing operations
• Support automation upgrades, plant network projects, and digital transformation initiatives
• Develop reporting, data acquisition, and visualisation solutions that improve operational decision-making

What You'll Bring

• Minimum 5 years' experience in industrial automation, process controls, or control systems engineering
• Strong knowledge of Allen Bradley PLC platforms, HMI/SCADA systems, and industrial networking
• Experience supporting manufacturing, mining, minerals, cement, lime, or other heavy industrial environments
• Degree in Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Process Control, Mechatronics, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline

Who This Suits

You’re an engineer who enjoys being close to the plant and solving real operational problems.

You want more ownership than a purely support-based automation role and enjoy working across controls, instrumentation, networks and process improvement. You’re comfortable being the technical point of contact when issues arise and want to see the impact of your work on plant performance.