Automation Engineer

Actalent; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 69,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent seeks a Software Automation Engineer to design, develop, and maintain software for automation and control in industrial and research settings. You will work with C#, Python, MATLAB, and C, integrating with sensors, cameras, and robotics to deliver robust automation solutions.

You will collaborate with scientists and engineers, implement tests, and maintain documentation while following best practices and secure coding methods. This is an on-site, first-shift contract role in St.

Qualifications

• Degree in a technical field as listed.
• 5+ years developing software for automation or engineering systems.
• Strong programming in C#, Python, MATLAB, or C.
• Hands-on hardware-software integration experience.
• Knowledge of automation architectures and communication protocols.
• Experience with unit/integration testing and hardware-in-the-loop validation.
• Experience with code reviews, modular design, and secure coding.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and maintain software for automation systems.
• Develop applications in C#, Python, MATLAB, or C for automation and control.
• Integrate software with instrumentation, sensors, cameras, robotics, and PLCs.
• Interface automation systems with databases, cloud platforms, and enterprise apps.
• Support machine vision and image-processing software development.
• Collaborate with scientists and engineers to gather requirements and define specs.
• Troubleshoot issues across software and hardware interfaces.
• Create and maintain technical documentation and user guides.
• Follow software engineering best practices and conduct code reviews.

Skills

C# proficiency

Python

MATLAB

C

Industrial automation

Hardware integration

Software testing

Troubleshooting

Version control

Secure coding

Education

Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Software Engineering / CS / CE / EE / Robotics or related

Tools

Git

Version control workflows

Job description

Job Title: Software Automation Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software that integrates with robotics, machine vision, sensors, instrumentation, and automated equipment in industrial, scientific, and research environments. The Software Automation Engineer will build robust applications in C#, Python, MATLAB, C, or related technologies, and will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to deliver reliable automation and control solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and maintain software for engineering, laboratory, and research systems.

• Develop applications using C#, Python, MATLAB, C, or related object-oriented technologies for automation and control.

• Integrate software with instrumentation, sensors, cameras, robotics, motion control platforms, and other automated equipment.

• Develop software interfaces between automation systems, databases, cloud platforms, and enterprise applications to enable reliable data exchange and system interoperability.

• Support the development, deployment, and maintenance of machine vision and image-processing software applications.

• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, and technicians to gather requirements, define specifications, and deliver tailored software solutions.

• Troubleshoot software and system integration issues, including hardware-software interactions, communication problems, and performance bottlenecks.

• Develop and maintain technical documentation, including software specifications, interface definitions, and user guides.

• Follow and promote software engineering best practices, including the use of version control, software testing, cybersecurity considerations, and code reviews.

• Contribute to continuous improvement of automation architectures, control strategies, and development workflows in industrial, scientific, or engineering environments.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

• 5 years of experience developing software for automation, industrial, scientific, or engineering systems.

• Strong programming skills in C#, Python, MATLAB, C, or similar object-oriented languages.

• Hands-on experience integrating software with hardware systems such as instrumentation, sensors, cameras, machine vision systems, robotics, or industrial control platforms.

• Knowledge of industrial automation architectures, control systems, and communication protocols.

• Experience with source control tools and workflows, including branching, merging, and version management.

• Experience with software testing practices, including unit testing, integration testing, and validation in hardware-in-the-loop environments.

• Familiarity with modern software engineering practices, including code reviews, modular design, and secure coding principles.

• Demonstrated analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving capabilities in complex automation or control environments.

• Ability to work full-time on-site at research facilities in St. Louis, Missouri.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience or coursework in controls engineering, robotics, machine vision, or automation engineering.

• Experience with motion control platforms and robotics integration in industrial or research settings.

• Exposure to cloud platforms and enterprise applications, particularly in the context of integrating automation systems and databases.

• Experience developing or supporting image-processing and machine vision applications for inspection, measurement, or guidance.

• Strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with scientists, engineers, and technicians from diverse disciplines.

• Ability to produce clear and comprehensive technical documentation, including specifications and user guides.

• Interest in working within industrial, scientific, or research environments that involve advanced instrumentation and automation.

Work Environment

This is a full-time, on-site position based at research facilities in St. Louis, Missouri. The role follows a first-shift schedule with an 8:00 a.m. start time. The work environment centers on engineering and laboratory settings that involve robotics, machine vision, sensors, instrumentation, and automated equipment. You will work closely with scientists, engineers, and technicians, using modern software development tools, source control systems, and best practices to support automation and control solutions in industrial, scientific, and research applications.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of St. Louis, MO.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $58.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in St. Louis,MO.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 30, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.