Automation Engineer PLC

Piper Companies; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Piper Companies seeks an Automation Engineer (PLC) for a permanent onsite role in Charlotte, NC. You will design and implement industrial control systems for large-scale data center, pharmaceutical, and life sciences projects, and develop electrical and controls documentation from design through commissioning.

Ideal candidates have 2–5 years in automation, strong AutoCAD Electrical/EPLAN skills, and hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs and Rockwell components. Travel ~30% is expected.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years in industrial automation, controls or electrical design.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical and/or EPLAN for controls design.
• Hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley PLC platforms and Rockwell hardware.
• Knowledge of electrical panel design, field wiring and controls integration.
• Willingness to travel ~30% for site visits and commissioning support.
• Experience automating engineering deliverables, design workflows or submittals.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop automation and control system solutions for complex projects.
• Create electrical schematics, panel layouts, wiring diagrams and controls docs.
• Configure, troubleshoot and support Allen-Bradley PLC systems and hardware.
• Lead design activities and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• Improve efficiency by automating workflows and enhancing submittal processes.

Skills

Automation design

Engineering collaboration

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

EPLAN

Allen-Bradley PLC

Rockwell components

Job description

Piper Companies is seeking an Automation Engineer (PLC) to join a leading engineering and industrial automation firm for a permanent onsite position located in Charlotte, NC. The Automation Engineer (PLC) will support large-scale data center, pharmaceutical, and life sciences projects by designing and implementing industrial control systems, developing electrical and controls documentation, and supporting projects from design through commissioning.

Responsibilities of the Automation Engineer (PLC) include:

• Design and develop industrial automation and control system solutions for complex engineering projects.
• Create electrical schematics, panel layouts, wiring diagrams, and controls documentation using AutoCAD Electrical and/or EPLAN.
• Configure, troubleshoot, and support Allen-Bradley PLC systems and Rockwell Automation hardware.
• Lead design activities on major programs while collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering teams and project stakeholders.
• Improve engineering efficiency by developing automated design workflows, enhancing submittal processes, and driving continuous process improvements.

Qualifications for the Automation Engineer (PLC) include:

• 2-5 years of experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, or electrical design engineering.
• Strong proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical and/or EPLAN for electrical and controls design.
• Extensive hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley PLC platforms and Rockwell Automation components.
• Knowledge of electrical panel design, field wiring, and controls integration.
• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 30% for customer site visits and commissioning support.
• Experience automating engineering deliverables, design workflows, or submittal generation is highly preferred.

Compensation for the Automation Engineer (PLC):

• Salary Range: $95k-$110k
• Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off, Retirement Plan, and additional employee benefit offerings.

This job opens for applications on 8/23/26. Applications for this job will be accepted for at least 30 days from the posting date.

Keywords: automation engineer, plc engineer, Allen-Bradley, Rockwell Automation, industrial automation, controls engineering, AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, electrical design, control systems, panel design, commissioning, manufacturing automation, process controls, data centers, pharmaceutical manufacturing, life sciences, electrical schematics, industrial controls, startup support, project engineering, workflow automation, controls integration, troubleshooting, instrumentation, electrical panels, design engineering, automation systems, Rockwell PLC, engineering leadership, process improvement

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