Industrial Automation Controls Field Applications Engineer

EMAG Group; Farmington Hills (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

EMAG Group in Farmington Hills, MI, seeks an experienced electrical controls engineer to lead on-site installation, commissioning, and validation of EMAG machine tools and automation across North America. You’ll diagnose PLCs/HMI drives, configure Siemens technologies, run startups, and train customers.

Travel 70-90% domestically and internationally as needed; you’ll document actions, support upgrades, and deliver clear service reports while representing EMAG with professionalism.

Qualifications

• Requires Associate or Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, Industrial Controls, or related (preferred).
• Journeyman Electrician credential or equivalent industrial electrical experience accepted in lieu of degree.
• At least 5 years in industrial controls, machine tool service, automation, or electrical commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Own on-site installation, commissioning, and validation of EMAG machine tools and automation.
• Diagnose and repair PLCs, HMIs, drives, sensors, motors, and electrical subsystems.
• Configure and optimize Siemens technologies: SINUMERIK, SIMATIC PLCs, TIA Portal, STEP 7, WinCC, and Siemens drive solutions.
• Lead startups: verification, I/O checks, safety circuit validation, and operational testing.
• Train maintenance, operators, programmers, and engineers in operation, troubleshooting, and preventive maintenance.
• Deliver remote technical support and coordinate with Engineering, Commissioning, Mechanical Service, and Customer Service.
• Document work thoroughly—reports, findings, corrective actions, and recommendations.

Skills

Schematics & ladder logic reading

Troubleshooting electrical controls

On-site installation & commissioning

Communication & training

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Siemens SINUMERIK / SIMATIC

TIA Portal / STEP 7 / WinCC

Fanuc / Siemens CNC controls

Job description

Are you the expert customers call to bring complex CNC systems to life?

If solving tough controls problems, launching new machines, and empowering users is your thing, this role puts you at the center of EMAG installations across North America—with occasional international assignments. You’ll be the trusted advisor from first power‑on through buy‑off and long‑term support.

Your mission

• Own on‑site installation, commissioning, and validation of EMAG machine tools and automation.
• Diagnose and repair PLCs, HMIs, drives, sensors, motors, and electrical subsystems.
• Configure and optimize Siemens technologies: SINUMERIK, SIMATIC PLCs, TIA Portal, STEP 7, WinCC, and Siemens drive solutions.
• Lead startups: verification, I/O checks, safety circuit validation, and operational testing.
• Use schematics, diagnostics software, and test equipment to resolve electrical/controls/communication/automation issues.
• Refine PLC logic, HMI screens, parameters, and control configurations.
• Run acceptance tests and guide customers through buy‑off criteria.
• Train maintenance, operators, programmers, and engineers in operation, troubleshooting, and preventive maintenance.
• Deliver remote technical support and coordinate with Engineering, Commissioning, Mechanical Service, and Customer Service.
• Document work thoroughly—reports, findings, corrective actions, and recommendations.
• Support upgrades, retrofits, control modernizations, software enhancements; help evolve procedures and technical docs.
• Operate safely and represent EMAG with professionalism on customer sites.

Do you check these boxes?

• Associate or Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, Industrial Controls, or related (preferred).
• Journeyman Electrician credential or equivalent industrial electrical experience accepted in lieu of degree.
• At least 5 years in industrial controls, machine tool service, automation, or electrical commissioning.

Where you’ll shine

• Proficiency with Siemens automation platforms.
• Fluent in reading schematics, wiring diagrams, ladder logic, and technical documentation.
• Hands‑on experience with CNC machines, robotics, or automated manufacturing systems.
• Comfortable with Fanuc, Siemens, or comparable industrial control platforms.
• Awareness of ISO 9001/14001 practices.
• Organized, composed, friendly communicator; reliable teammate and effective independent contributor.

Physical/Mental/Environmental Demands

• Frequently be required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop or kneel, talk and hear, and use fingers and hands to feel objects, tools or controls.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, depth perceptions, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Plant manufacturing may be noisy from time to time, especially when visiting customer sites. Hearing protection may be required in some circumstances.
• Ability to multi-task and meet critical deadlines
• Overtime may be necessary as work load’s dictate. This may include weekdays, weekends and/or holidays.
• Job will require travel to and visit a customer’s office, production facility or job site. Conditions will vary at each location, but the conditions listed above will generally apply.
• Ability to travel internationally and domestically 70-90% of the time

Tech you’ll work with

• CNC automation solutions (Fanuc, Siemens, DMG Mori Seiki)
• CNC laser cutters
• CNC lathes (2–4 axis and 5+ axis)
• CNC grinders
• PLCs (Fanuc, Siemens)

What success looks like

• New EMAG installations verified with clean I/O, validated safety circuits, and tuned drives.
• Customers signed off after thorough acceptance testing and confident operator/maintenance training.
• Clear service reports with actionable recommendations and follow‑up support plans.