Automation Engineer I — Industrial Controls & Travel

Gray Matter Systems, Llc; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance starting day one

Employer-paid short-term disability

Life insurance

Job summary

GrayMatter is seeking an Engineer I to join our Ashland, VA team. This role is ideal for an engineer who thrives on solving complex automation challenges while delivering high-quality solutions for industrial customers.

You'll collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to design, develop, implement, and support control systems from concept through commissioning. Success requires strong technical expertise, customer focus, and the ability to travel to client sites throughout the project

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical or mechanical engineering or related field.
• 2+ years experience programming industrial PLC platforms including Rockwell, Siemens, Modicon, or similar.
• 2+ years experience with control system implementation, design, installation, commissioning, and troubleshooting.
• Willingness to travel 30–40% to customer locations.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, implement, and commission industrial control system solutions that meet customer requirements.
• Assist with project planning, engineering design, and technical documentation throughout the project lifecycle.
• Perform FAT, SAT, system startups, onsite pilots, and customer demonstrations.
• Configure, troubleshoot, and support PLC, HMI, SCADA, and industrial automation systems.
• Provide technical consultation and training to customers on newly implemented applications and systems.

Skills

Analytical problem solving

Attention to detail

Customer communication

Programming experience

C++

C#

Python

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

Rockwell PLCs

FactoryTalk View ME/SE

Wonderware / AVEVA

GE iFIX

Ignition

FactoryTalk Batch

EtherNet/IP

Modbus

Job description

GrayMatter is seeking an Engineer I to join our Ashland, VA team. This role is ideal for an engineer who thrives on solving complex automation challenges while delivering high-quality solutions for industrial customers.

You'll collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to design, develop, implement, and support control systems from concept through commissioning. Success requires strong technical expertise, customer focus, and the ability to travel to client sites throughout the project