Automation Engineer - Mission Critical

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to design, develop, and support control systems across industrial processes and critical infrastructure. You will lead technical efforts, mentor teammates, and drive improvements while ensuring safety adherence on site.

The role requires travel across the Central Region, with subsistence and incentives per company guidelines. Strong PLC/HMI skills and team leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, automation engineering, or equivalent OR 4+ years of equivalent professional experience.
• Flexible schedule including weekends, nights, and holidays.
• 2+ years of PLC-controlled automation in continuous processes.
• 2+ years of Ladder Logic/structure programming (Allen-Bradley or equivalent).
• Experience leading and mentoring automation engineers.
• Strong English communication skills.
• 2+ years implementing HMIs and control networks.
• 2+ years electrical theory, robotics, and control components.
• Ability to read mechanical/electrical/PL plumbing drawings and interpret blueprints.
• Willingness to travel and support multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Serve as site technical expert for automation control systems.
• Train and mentor junior team members to meet safety and technical requirements.
• Design, develop, and optimize control systems and software.
• Maintain thorough documentation for automation processes.
• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering and support teams to drive optimization.
• Troubleshoot PLC/PC controllers and industrial networks (Ethernet, ControlNet, DeviceNet, Profibus, ASi).
• Escalate downtime issues to vendors and leadership as needed.
• Uphold safety standards per company policies.

Skills

PLC programming

Ladder Logic

HMI development

Electrical theory

System integration

Troubleshooting

Team leadership / mentoring

Reading drawings

Robotics

Networking (Ethernet, ControlNet, Dev…

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS / EE / ME / automation engineering (or equivalent)

4+ years of relevant experience

Tools

Allen-Bradley

Ethernet

ControlNet

DeviceNet

Profibus

Job description

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

Supports the larger project team with designing, developing, and implementing automation control systems for various industrial processes and critical infrastructure. Demonstrates knowledge of common engineering principles, programming languages, and control system technologies. Maximizes equipment reliability and operational performance of equipment such as conveyors, sortation systems, scanners, cameras, print and apply systems, and SCADA devices and programs. Follows all necessary policies and procedures, especially related to safety.

This is a full-time, site-based position that requires extensive travel to locations that span the Central Region. Travel subsistence and additional incentives provided per company guidelines.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Site technical expert in automation control systems.
• Train and mentor less experienced team members to ensure compliance with all company and client safety and technical training requirements.
• Design and develop control systems and software programs. Implement and optimize automation processes. Maintain and troubleshoot control systems and machinery.
• Enforce and follow a strict documentation process for all automation processes and programs.
• Work closely with client teams such as building Operations, and various Engineering, Continuous improvement and other support teams to drive system optimization and project implementation.
• Understand, maintain and troubleshoot control systems, including PLC/PC controllers and industrial networks such as Ethernet, ControlNet, DeviceNet, Profibus, ASi bus, motor control systems, servo drives, frequency drives, and electrical distribution systems.
• Act as the first level of escalation support to both Project Engineers and other less experienced Automation Engineers, during and after business hours.
• Appropriately escalated downtime situations to vendors and senior leadership for support to restore equipment operation.
• Continually enforces safety to the highest standards by enforcing all company policy and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree in computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, automation engineering, or equivalent OR 4+ years of equivalent professional experience.
• Work a flexible schedule/shift/work area, including weekends, nights, and/or holidays
• 2+ years of experience with PLC-controlled automation and issue diagnosis in a continuous process or production environment.
• 2+ years of experience with Ladder Logic and structure programming from Allen-Brady, or similar.
• Experience acting in a team lead capacity that supports, trains, and mentors less experienced automation engineering professionals.
• Advanced proficiency in verbal and written English.
• 2+ years of experience identifying, maintaining, troubleshooting, programming, and designing HMI and control network components.
• 2+ years of experience with electrical theory, robotics, controls components, automated equipment.
• 2+ years of experience interpreting, modifying, and developing mechanical and electrical drawings.
• Ability to interpret and understand policies and procedures and relate them to others.
• Continuous improvement mindset.
• 2+ years of experience of industrial electrical hands-on experience and troubleshooting, including 480V 3-phase, 110 VAC, and 24VDC systems.
• 2+ years of experience in controls design or programming experience.
• 2+ years of system integration experience.
• Problem-solving mindset for debugging systems.
• Ability to read and understand mechanical, electrical, and plumbing plans is required.
• Adaptability and continuous learning to keep up with industry trends.
• Experience driving continuous improvement or programmatic solutions in relation to automated equipment.
• Ability to meet attendance schedule with dependability and consistency.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders (Operations, Safety, etc.) to coordinate complex maintenance activities.
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
• Must have a proven commitment to Safety
• Must be able to safely and legally operate a vehicle.
• Ability to travel as necessary, including overnight stays.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to wear helmets, safety goggles, fall protection harness and safety boots to safely perform job duties
• Must be able to twist the trunk of your body 90 degrees in each direction
• Must be able to squat and touch the floor with both hands
• Must be able to reach your hands over your head
• Must be able to stand on concrete surfaces for extended periods, routinely up to 4 hours
• This position is moderately physical and requires regular use of hands, fingers, walking, stooping, kneeling and climbing ladders
• It requires employees to regularly lift and or move up to 10 lbs
• Must be able to safely use a ladder with a 300lb total weight limit
• Must be able to maneuver access areas, as small as 30 vertical x 45 horizontal
• Must be able to comfortably and routinely access rooftops with extension and/or fixed ladders at heights of 15 to 20, and occasionally, up to 50 feet +
• This role may be exposed to variable weather conditions, moving mechanical parts, heights, risk of electrical shock, noisy operating equipment and other variable environmental conditions based on location

McCarthy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.