Industrial Automation Engineer

Nucor Corporation; Lexington (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Disability Insurance

401(k)

Profit sharing

Bonuses

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Stock program

Scholarships

Job summary

Nucor Corporation in Lexington, NC seeks an Industrial Automation Engineer to design, implement, and optimize automation systems on the shop floor. You will upgrade legacy equipment, troubleshoot PLCs and HMIs, and develop robust control networks to improve manufacturing efficiency.

Responsibilities include configuring Profinet/TCP/IP networks, building fiber layouts, and collaborating with maintenance and production teams on continuous improvement projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Electronic, or Automation Engineering.
• 2+ years of industrial electrical maintenance and automation experience in steel or heavy industry.
• Experience with PLCs (S7‑300, S7‑400, S7‑1515F) and HMIs (Siemens S7, TIA Portal, WinCC).
• Experience with industrial process automation networking: Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Profibus, ControlNet.
• Experience configuring Windows OS, networking, virtualization, and databases for control systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and configure new automation systems; upgrade older machinery to new control platforms.
• Troubleshoot and modify level 1 systems including PLCs, HMIs, networks, drives, and controls.
• Develop control systems using PLCs and HMI platforms; design network layouts for Profinet and TCP/IP.
• Connect equipment for data communication and control; support industrial networking and data logging.

Education

Bachelor’s or foreign equivalent degree in Electrical, Electronic, or Automation Engineering

Tools

Oracle ERP

Minitab

VBA

Microsoft Project

Excel

AutoCAD

Siemens S7

TIA Portal

WinCC

Aveva InTouch

Job description

Industrial Automation Engineer

Division: Nucor Steel Lexington. Location: Lexington, NC, United States.

Overview

Welcome to Nucor, where our unique culture sets us apart. Joining Nucor means becoming part of North America’s largest steel and steel products manufacturer, offering unmatched career opportunities and stability. We are known for our innovative sustainability practices and are the continent’s largest recycler. Our vibrant culture, built on personal connections and teamwork, empowers every team member with the freedom to innovate and contribute to our collective success. Experience a workplace where safety, efficiency, and meaningful personal connections define every day, enriching both our teammates and the communities we serve.

Benefits

Nucor supports teammates with top‑tier benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, and Disability Insurance; 401(k) and Roth accounts; Profit sharing; Pay‑for‑performance bonuses; Paid parental leave; Tuition reimbursement; Stock program; Scholarships; and more.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and configure new automation systems; upgrade older machinery to new control platforms and existing manufacturing lines.
• Troubleshoot and modify level 1 systems including PLCs, HMIs, industrial communication networks, remote I/O, drives, motor controls, hydraulic controls, etc.
• Perform deep analysis of failures in PLCs and evaluate feasible solutions, including modifications in control logic.
• Develop control systems using PLCs (S7‑300, S7‑400, S7‑1515F) and HMI platforms (Aveva Intouch, Allen‑Bradley, Siemens S7, TIA Portal, WinCC).
• Design and maintain network layouts for protocols such as Profinet (level 1) and TCP/IP (CCTV, level 2).
• Develop an optical fiber network ring and maintain fiber types and accessories for optimal performance.
• Perform industrial process automation networking to connect equipment and devices for data communication and control (Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Profibus, ControlNet).
• Use Oracle (ERP), Minitab, VBA, Microsoft Project, Excel, and AutoCAD.
• Configure, troubleshoot, and use Windows OS, networking, virtualization, and databases for control system applications.
• Conduct training and develop standard operating procedures.
• Increase efficiency of level 1 automation systems and ensure optimum equipment performance via continual improvement initiatives.
• Define and approve all engineering for new automation projects (basic and detailed).
• Work closely with Electrical and Mechanical Maintenance and Production teams to optimize processes and implement future improvement plans.
• Develop automation system training for teammates.
• Define required spare parts, develop suppliers, and set inventory levels.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or foreign equivalent degree in Electrical, Electronic, or Automation Engineering and at least two (2) years of industrial electrical maintenance and automation experience in the steel industry.
• Experience with Oracle (ERP), Minitab, VBA, Microsoft Project, Excel, and AutoCAD.
• Experience developing control systems with PLCs (including S7‑300, S7‑400, S7‑1515F) and HMIs (Siemens S7, TIA Portal, WinCC).
• Experience with industrial process automation networking: Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Profibus, ControlNet.
• Experience configuring, troubleshooting, and using Windows OS, networking, virtualization, and databases for control system applications.
• Experience designing, implementing, and configuring new automation systems, upgrading older machinery, and upgrading existing manufacturing lines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional experience in a steel manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with vision systems or advanced process control.

Safety

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to initiate, lead, and uphold safety policies, practices, procedures, and housekeeping standards at all times.

EEO Statement

Nucor is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a drug‑free workplace.