Automation Engineer

Cindavi; United States; On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

We are seeking a driven Project Engineer focused on Level 1 Automation to join our electrical maintenance team in Montpelier, Iowa. This role is hands-on and critical, serving as the technical backbone of our rolling mill to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operations in a modern facility with an electric arc furnace and high recycled materials use.

You will upgrade legacy PLC hardware, design and optimize control systems, write Rockwell PLC and HMI code, and support mill breakdowns.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Automation, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or related field.
• 1–2+ years of hands-on manufacturing experience with Rockwell PLC and HMI.
• Experience upgrading legacy control systems and migrating I/O to newer Rockwell platforms.
• Able to modify PLC ladder logic and HMI code safely in live production.

Responsibilities

• Lead critical system migrations upgrading PLC hardware and I/O platforms.
• Design, modify, and optimize Level 1 process control systems for efficiency and quality.
• Write and maintain Rockwell PLC and HMI code for intuitive interfaces.
• Provide hands-on troubleshooting during mill breakdowns with Operations and Maintenance.
• Own automation systems implemented by outside integrators and ensure reliability.

Skills

Rockwell PLC

HMI programming

Ladder logic editing

Onsite troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Automation / Electrical Engineering / Software Engineering

Tools

Rockwell PLC

Rockwell HMI

Job description

Are you ready to take ownership of critical automation systems in a facility that runs on 99% recycled materials?

Position Summary

We are looking for a driven Project Engineer focused on Level 1 Automation to join our electrical maintenance team in Montpelier, Iowa. This is not a desk job where you only write code in a vacuum. You will be the technical backbone of our rolling mill, taking true ownership of our control systems to ensure safe, reliable, and highly efficient plant operations. Our facility is a modern, high-performing environment that utilizes an electric arc furnace and runs on 99% recycled scrap metal. We are actively investing in our future, and we need someone who is eager to step up, take charge of continuous improvement projects, and help us modernize our legacy hardware and software.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the charge on critical system migrations, specifically upgrading older PLC hardware and I/O platforms to newer, more efficient systems.
• Design, modify, and optimize our Level 1 process control systems to maximize production efficiency and product quality.
• Write and maintain code for Rockwell PLCs and HMIs to ensure our interfaces are intuitive and our operations run smoothly.
• Jump in as a hands-on technical expert during mill breakdowns, working side by side with Operations and Maintenance to troubleshoot issues and get the line running again.
• Take long term ownership of new automation systems implemented by outside integrators, ensuring they meet our high standards for reliability.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in Automation, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a closely related field.
• 1-2+ years of hands-on, real world manufacturing experience working directly with Rockwell PLC and HMI programming.
• Specific experience upgrading or migrating legacy control systems and I/O to newer Rockwell platforms.
• A proven ability to safely and correctly modify existing PLC ladder logic and HMI code in a live production environment.
• A willingness to be fully onsite and a readiness to handle firefighting and troubleshooting directly on the mill floor.

We offer a highly competitive compensation package that includes a strong base salary, a substantial bi-weekly production bonus, and a monthly safety bonus. You will also receive excellent, affordable health insurance starting on day one, a 5% 401(k) match, and profit sharing. We are building the next generation of leadership for our facility.