Automation Specialist

Manpower, Inc.; Sugar Land (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Industrial Controls & Automation, our client, seeks a Traveling Controls Engineer to support engineering, installation, and commissioning activities. You will lead PLC/HMI development, startup support, and system architecture decisions while collaborating with project teams and customers.

The role requires 5+ years of industrial controls experience, a related engineering degree, and the ability to travel up to 50% to client sites.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of Industrial Controls programming experience.
• BS in Mechatronics/Engineering or related field or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years PLC programming experience including ladder, function block, and structured text.
• Proficiency with Allen Bradley equipment and Ethernet/IP networking.
• Experience with HMIs and developing test plans, simulation logic, and training materials.
• Ability to travel up to 50% locally and domestically.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with project managers to assess projects and proposals.
• Read diagrams and communicate with customers to understand objectives.
• Develop control system architecture and communication strategy between components.
• Develop BOMs, IO lists, and control panel requirements with customers.
• Lead small projects, build PLC/HMI templates, and create PLC programs and HMI screens.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI development

Project leadership

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechatronics/Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Ethernet/IP networking

Ladder logic

Structured text

Function Block

Job description

Our client, Industrial Controls & Automation is seeking a Traveling Controls Engineer to join their team. As a Traveling Controls Engineer, you will be part of the project delivery effort supporting engineering, installation, and commissioning activities. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical problem-solving, clear communication with stakeholders, and a hands-on approach to PLC/HMI development and startup support-aligning successfully in the organization.

Job Title: Traveling Controls Engineer

Pay Range: DOE

What's the Job?

• Collaborate with project managers and estimators to assess potential projects and submit proposals.
• Read and interpret diagrams and documentation, and communicate with customers to understand objectives and preferences.
• Develop the overall architecture and communication strategy between control system elements.
• Develop BOMs, IO lists, and requirements for control panels, and define/document control system functionality with customers and stakeholders.
• Serve as the technical lead for small projects, including building PLC and HMI templates, developing PLC programs (Ladder, Function Block, and other languages), and creating HMI screens.

What's Needed?

• 5+ years of Industrial Controls experience (programming)
• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechatronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline from a Technical College, or equivalent Industrial Controls experience.
• 5+ years of experience in PLC programming, including ladder logic, function block, and structured text.
• Proficiency with Allen Bradley equipment and systems, including networking familiarity (Ethernet/IP).
• Experience and knowledge of HMIs, plus the ability to develop test plans, simulation logic, and training materials.
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time local and domestic travel

What's in it for me?

• Opportunity to lead control system architecture and deliver PLC/HMI solutions from design through testing.
• Hands-on involvement in commissioning support, troubleshooting, and startup issue resolution.
• Collaboration with customers, installation teams, and vendors to drive solutions to technical challenges.
• Clear technical ownership for small projects, including templates, documentation, and training plans.
• Engagement across the full control system lifecycle-programming, simulation, testing, and system verification.

Upon completion of waiting period consultants are eligible for:

• Medical and Prescription Drug Plans
• Vision Plan
• Health Savings Account
• Health Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Business Travel Insurance
• Weekly Pay