Automation Engineer II — Lead High-Impact Controls Projects

Direct Companies; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan with company+

Paid holidays and generous PTO

Life and disability insurance

Ongoing training and career developmen

Job summary

Direct Companies is seeking an Automation Engineer II to install, test, and troubleshoot automation and control systems while collaborating with customers and project teams. This role requires taking ownership of technical work, maintaining detailed documentation, and supporting continuous improvement efforts.

The position involves travel to customer sites approximately 25–40% of the time and opportunities to mentor less-experienced colleagues, expand technical expertise in automation, controls,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Automation, Electrical Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 2–5 years of experience in automation, controls, systems integration, or an industrial environment.
• Working knowledge of PLC, SCADA, DCS, HMI, or industrial networking technologies.
• Experience configuring, testing, commissioning, maintaining, or troubleshooting industrial control systems.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, organization, and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to independently manage assigned work and collaborate with customers and project teams.
• Ability to travel approximately 25–40%.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, test, commission, and troubleshoot automation and control systems.
• Independently complete assigned project and service activities in accordance with customer requirements.
• Respond to technical and customer needs while involving additional resources when appropriate.
• Travel to customer sites to support installation, startup, commissioning, troubleshooting, and service work.
• Maintain accurate project, system, configuration, and service documentation.
• Communicate technical issues, project risks, and recommended solutions to stakeholders.
• Work directly with customers, vendors, and internal project teams to support successful outcomes.
• Consistently use required company tools and project-management platforms.
• Provide technical guidance and troubleshooting support to less-experienced team members.
• Share knowledge and effective practices across the team.

Skills

Automation engineering

Troubleshooting

Communication

Critical thinking

Team collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Automation

Tools

ABB DeltaV

Rockwell Automation

Siemens

Emerson DeltaV

Job description

Direct Companies is seeking an Automation Engineer II to install, test, and troubleshoot automation and control systems while collaborating with customers and project teams. This role requires taking ownership of technical work, maintaining detailed documentation, and supporting continuous improvement efforts.

The position involves travel to customer sites approximately 25–40% of the time and opportunities to mentor less-experienced colleagues, expand technical expertise in automation, controls,