Hands-On Automation Project Engineer (Onsite)

Staffing Support Specialists; Port Washington (WI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Staffing Support Specialists in Port Washington, WI is seeking a Pro Project Engineer to drive automation and controls projects on the manufacturing floor. You will provide technical solutions for new and existing production applications and collaborate with operations, maintenance, vendors, and leadership.

The role focuses on electrical controls, PLCs, HMIs, machine integration, and troubleshooting, with hands-on work on production equipment and startups.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Hands-on electrical engineering experience in manufacturing/automation.
• Experience with PLC programming and troubleshooting; HMI systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation, controls, and manufacturing equipment improvement projects.
• Troubleshoot PLC, HMI, machine control, and system integration issues on the production floor.
• Support installation, startup, and commissioning of new equipment and production lines.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement long-term solutions to improve equipment reliability and uptime.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, and vendors to optimize manufacturing processes and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI systems

Machine controls

Sensors & drives

Automation systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering Technology

Tools

HMI software

Job description

Position: Project Engineer

Location: Port Washington, WI

Shift: 1st Shift: Monday - Friday | 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Pay: $80-90K / year

Summary:

The Project Engineer's primary purpose is to provide technical solutions for new and existing production applications while expanding the organization's expertise in automation, controls, and system integration. This position will collaborate with customers, operations, maintenance, vendors, and leadership to successfully execute capital projects, improve equipment performance, and support manufacturing operations.

This is afull-time onsite position (Monday through Friday) based in Port Washington, WI. The majority of this role will be spent on the manufacturing floor working directly with production equipment and automation systems. Success in this position requires a hands-on approach, including troubleshooting controls-related issues, supporting equipment startups, identifying root causes of equipment failures, and implementing sustainable solutions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

A strong emphasis is placed onelectrical controls, automation systems, PLCs, HMIs, machine integration, and troubleshooting complex production equipment. Candidates with an understanding of mechanical systems and manufacturing processes will be especially successful in this role.

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead automation, controls, and manufacturing equipment improvement projects.
• Troubleshoot and resolve PLC, HMI, machine control, and system integration issues on the production floor.
• Support installation, startup, and commissioning of new equipment and production lines.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement long-term solutions to improve equipment reliability and uptime.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, and vendors to optimize manufacturing processes and drive continuous improvement.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of3 years of hands-on electrical engineering experience in a manufacturing, automation, or industrial environment.
• Experience working with:
  • PLC programming and troubleshooting
  • HMI systems
  • Machine controls and automation systems
  • Sensors, drives, and industrial communication networks
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work extensively on the production floor diagnosing and resolving automation, controls, and equipment performance issues.
• Strong understanding of equipment functionality and how automated systems integrate into production environments.
• Demonstrated ability to diagnose and resolve controls-related issues in a manufacturing setting.
• Experience managing engineering projects and working with cross-functional teams.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.

Preferred

• Experience with system integration, machine automation, and process controls.
• Understanding of electrical schematics, panel layouts, and control system architecture.
• Working knowledge of packaging, converting, liquid processing, or consumer product manufacturing environments.
• Mechanical aptitude and understanding of production equipment and machine design.