Automation Engineer PLC - 173871

ZP Group; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Piper Companies seeks an Automation Engineer (PLC) for a permanent onsite role in Charlotte, NC. You will design, implement, and commission control systems for data center, pharmaceutical, and life sciences projects.

Responsibilities include creating electrical schematics and panel layouts, wiring diagrams with AutoCAD Electrical or EPLAN, and configuring Allen-Bradley PLCs. Travel ~30% for site visits and commissioning.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years in industrial automation or electrical design engineering.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical and/or EPLAN for electrical design.
• Hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley PLC platforms and Rockwell components.
• Knowledge of electrical panel design and field wiring.
• Willingness to travel ~30% for customer sites and commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop 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 and driving continuous process improvements.

Skills

Controls engineering

Electrical design

Industrial automation

Project collaboration

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

EPLAN

Allen-Bradley PLC

Rockwell Automation hardware

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 9/25/26. 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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