Automation Engineer: PLCs, Robotics & Vision Systems

Hydro Systems; Elon, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

OPW, a Dover company, seeks an Automation Engineer to design, program, and commission PLC-controlled assembly and testing equipment in Elon, NC. You will collaborate with manufacturing engineering, maintenance, quality, and production teams to bring automated systems from concept through FAT/SAT and provide ongoing production support.

You will work hands-on with PLCs, robots, HMI, and vision systems, emphasizing safety, quality, and continuous improvement in a high-volume setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechatronics, or related field.
• 3+ years PLC programming in industrial/manufacturing environments.
• Hands-on experience programming industrial robots and integrating them into automated systems.
• Knowledge of ladder logic, structured text, and function block programming.
• Understanding of pneumatics, sensors, servo/motion control, and machine safety circuits.
• Experience with HMI development platforms.
• Strong troubleshooting skills under time pressure.
• Ability to read electrical schematics, P&IDs, and mechanical drawings.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and debug PLC programs for assembly automation equipment.
• Program and integrate industrial robots for pick-and-place, material handling, and assembly tasks.
• Develop HMI screens and operator interfaces for machine control and diagnostics.
• Design and implement vision system integration for part inspection and guidance.
• Configure servo motion control, VFDs, and motor drives; troubleshoot controls hardware.
• Collaborate with mechanical and electrical engineers to ensure controls feasibility.
• Develop technical specs and vendor evaluation for automation equipment.
• Support FAT/SAT, installation, and post-commissioning production support.

Skills

PLC programming

Robotics integration

HMI development

Vision systems

Troubleshooting

Electrical schematics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

FANUC

Universal Robots

Job description

OPW, a Dover company, seeks an Automation Engineer to design, program, and commission PLC-controlled assembly and testing equipment in Elon, NC. You will collaborate with manufacturing engineering, maintenance, quality, and production teams to bring automated systems from concept through FAT/SAT and provide ongoing production support.

You will work hands-on with PLCs, robots, HMI, and vision systems, emphasizing safety, quality, and continuous improvement in a high-volume setting.