Factory Automation Engineer: Hardware, Robotics & Control

Atomic Industries

Detroit (MI)

On-site

USD 90,000 - 130,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Medical coverage

401(k)

PTO

Hardware stipend

Prototype lab

Job summary

Atomic Industries is building an AI-driven manufacturing platform at its Detroit headquarters. As an Automation Engineer, you will design, integrate, and optimize automation systems across injection molding, robotics, and tooling.

You will connect equipment to a centralized platform, develop data-acquisition pipelines, and create digital twins to validate designs before production. You will define hardware standards, program PLCs and robot controllers, and implement observable, autonomous

Qualifications

3+ years in automation, controls, robotics, mechatronics, test engineering, or related field.
Experience taking automation systems from concept through installation, commissioning, and reliable production operation.
Strong programming skills with AI assistance, and the ability to build maintainable production software.
Experience with industrial communications such as OPC UA, Modbus/TCP, MQTT, or comparable machine protocols.
Hands‑on experience with sensors, data‑acquisition hardware, calibration, analog and digital signals, and electrical troubleshooting.
Fluency in at least one PLC or industrial controls ecosystem, with understanding of machine states and fault handling.
Experience integrating robots, motion systems, machine tools, vision systems, or other production equipment.
Ability to read electrical drawings and create schematics, wiring documentation, interface specs, and commissioning procedures.
Understanding of industrial safety and the boundary between higher‑level orchestration software and safety‑rated machine control.
Excellent communication skills and ability to work with software engineers, manufacturing engineers, technicians, toolmakers, operators, and vendors.
Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, mechatronics, computer science, or related discipline—or equivalent practical experience

Responsibilities

Design, build, and commission automation across injection molding cells and the mold-making factory, including presses, CNCs, EDMs, robots, and material handling.
Connect machines to Atomic’s platform using OPC UA, Modbus/TCP, MQTT, industrial Ethernet, and vendor interfaces.
Build data-acquisition systems for temperature, pressure, force, flow, position, power, vision, and other signals linked to machine cycles and quality data.
Develop closed-loop workflows that compare production with simulation and monitor coolant/waterline health.
Establish reusable hardware standards for sensors, controllers, wiring, and enclosures.
Program and integrate PLCs, robot controllers, motion systems, HMIs, and safety systems.
Develop digital twins and hardware-in-the-loop environments for planning before physical mold/line exists.
Productionize prototypes with version-controlled configs, automated testing, diagnostics, and documentation.
Help define path toward mold-making factory with automated job/resource flow and robotic inventory management.
Collaborate across software, simulation, manufacturing, tooling, and operations to identify high-value opportunities and long‑term architecture