Commissioning & Controls Engineer–Custom Robotics & Automation (65% Travel)

Key People; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 67,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

Key People is seeking a Commissioning & Controls Engineer for custom robotics and automation with 50–80% travel. Base rate up to $59/hour plus overtime, in a blended hybrid role near Milwaukee, WI.

You will lead equipment readiness, calibrate robotic cells, perform diagnostics, and manage field deployments with a high-growth, family-owned OEM culture.

Qualifications

• 5+ years field experience in commissioning and integrating custom automation machinery.
• Strong PLC diagnostics using Rockwell Studio 5000 or Siemens TIA Portal.
• Ability to read, interpret, and trace complex electrical/mechanical schematics.
• Willingness to travel 50%–80% across NA and occasional international deployments.
• Must reside within commuting distance of Greater Milwaukee area and be a US citizen or Green Card holder.

Responsibilities

• Lead internal commissioning, live-wire debugging, and I/O validation before shop floor release.
• Calibrate multi-axis robotics and EOAT, including electrical/mechanical setup and network configurations.
• Perform real-time diagnostics across PLCs, servo drives, vision, pneumatics, and safety interlocks.
• Lead onsite installations and customer run-offs at global facilities, training client staff.
• Collaborate with design, PMs, and shop teams to quickly isolate issues.
• Track testing hours, manage open issues, and submit progress logs to stakeholders.

Skills

Field experience

PLC diagnostics

Schematic literacy

Travel readiness

Education

Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Robotics Engineering

Tools

Rockwell Studio 5000

Siemens TIA Portal

Job description

Commissioning & Controls Engineer – Custom Robotics & Automation (50-80% Travel)

Up to $59.00 / Hour Base + Overtime Potential Greater Milwaukee Area, WI First Shift Direct-Hire

• Compensation & Earnings: Up to $59.00/hour starting base rate (commensurate with robotics and controls depth) + overtime earning potential + premium corporate benefits package.
• Work Schedule: First Shift | Blended hybrid model balancing internal shop floor debug at the local facility with field deployments.
• Travel Structure: 50% to 80% field travel (predominantly domestic client sites with occasional international commissioning deployments).
• Work Environment: High-growth, family-owned OEM pioneer with nearly a century of continuous manufacturing excellence; fast-paced, high-trust setting building custom automated assembly, high-speed handling, and robotic cells for Tier-1 global clients with zero corporate bureaucracy.
• Career Depth & Tech Stack: 5+ years of hands-on custom automation commissioning; practical PLC logic troubleshooting/programming (Allen-Bradley Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal); multi-axis industrial robotics calibration; servo controls; pneumatic architecture; electrical print fluency.
• Requirements & Compliance: Associate (A.S.) or Bachelor’s (B.S.) Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Robotics Engineering preferred (equivalent hands‑on experience fully valued); U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder; valid driver’s license and passport readiness; daily commuting access to the Greater Milwaukee area.

If you are an elite field controls or commissioning specialist seeking an organization where your diagnostic intelligence directly drives multi‑million dollar capital equipment projects, this fast‑growing OEM is your ideal professional home. Backed by nearly a century of continuous manufacturing excellence, this family‑owned pioneer combines the high‑trust, collaborative feel of a close‑knit team with the market power and financial stability of a global leader.

Specializing in custom automated assembly, high‑speed material handling, and robotic welding cells for Tier-1 global clients, this firm operates free of rigid corporate bureaucracy. You will own complex automated machinery through its full operational birth—from preliminary plant debug and electrical/mechanical calibration at the Milwaukee‑area facility to final customer site run‑off and sign‑off around the globe.

What You Will Be Doing (Core Responsibilities)

• Lead Equipment Readiness: Direct the internal commissioning, live‑wire debug, and I/O validation of custom automated systems before shop floor release.
• Robotic & Cell Calibration: Validate advanced multi‑axis robotic platforms from scratch, executing initial electrical/mechanical calibrations, communication network setups, and end‑of‑arm tooling (EOAT) checks.
• Hands‑On Diagnostics: Perform real‑time, high‑level troubleshooting across complex PLC logic architectures, servo drives, vision systems, pneumatic circuits, and safety interlocks.
• Customer Field Deployments: Lead onsite equipment installations, managing technical run‑offs at global client facilities while training customer engineering and maintenance personnel.
• Cross‑Functional Interface: Partner directly with mechanical design engineers, project managers, and shop floor build teams to rapidly isolate hardware, software, or mechanical bugs.
• Project Administrative Discipline: Track daily operational testing hours, manage active engineering open‑issue lists, and submit detailed field progress logs to project stakeholders.

What We Are Looking For (Requirements & Qualifications)

• 5+ Years Field Proven Experience: Verifiable track record in commissioning, troubleshooting, and integrating custom industrial automated machinery and multi‑axis robotics.
• PLC & Controls Diagnostics: Strong diagnostic capabilities in PLC logic troubleshooting, I/O tracing, and basic logic modifications (e.g., Rockwell/Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal).
• Schematic & Print Literacy: Ability to confidently read, interpret, and trace complex electrical layouts, mechanical assembly drawings, and fluid power schematics on the fly.
• Travel Flexibility & Readiness: Complete willingness and ability to travel 50% to 80% to customer production sites across North America and select international destinations.
• Location & Legal Authorization: Must reside within daily commuting distance of the Greater Milwaukee area, hold a valid driver’s license, and be a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) with valid passport eligibility.

Preferred Technical Assets (Bonus Skills)

• Multi‑Brand Robotics Integration: Advanced path teaching, payload configuration, and communication setup for FANUC, ABB, KUKA, or Yaskawa robotic arms.
• Industrial Vision Systems: Practical setup and calibration experience with Cognex, Keyence, or integrated 2D/3D vision platforms.
• Degree Credentials: Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or Automation Technology.