Industrial Automation Engineer

Sterling St James LLC; Menomonee Falls (WI); On-site; USD 48,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Per Diem

Full Benefits

Job summary

Sterling St James LLC in Menomonee Falls, WI, seeks a Field Automation Engineer to lead PLC and machine commissioning with global deployments. The role blends hands-on shop testing with field service at client facilities, reporting directly to the CEO and enjoying autonomy in project execution.

The ideal candidate has 2+ years in electro-mechanical commissioning, travels 40–70 days annually, and holds US work authorization. Base salary up to $80,000 plus per diem and full benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• 2+ years dedicated field depth in industrial machinery service/commissioning.
• Fully comfortable troubleshooting automated systems and interpreting electrical/mechanical/pneumatic schematics.
• Willingness to travel 40–70 days per year with a valid passport.
• Customer-facing communication and professional demeanor for operator training and field service logs.

Responsibilities

• Lead on-site machinery installations, system integrations, and SAT at client facilities worldwide.
• Perform PLC/HMI software downloads, verify logic, and work inside high-voltage control panels.
• Troubleshoot automated systems using multi-page schematics; apply diagnostic principles.
• Schedule and lead internal FAT procedures before shipment.
• Submit Engineering Change Requests based on field insights to design engineering.
• Oversee technical setup and electrical hookup for industry trade shows.

Skills

Field service

Schematics & controls

Global travel readiness

Communication

Local commute

Work authorization

Tools

Field service tools

Job description

Field Automation Engineer – PLC & Machine Commissioning

Up to $80,000 Base Salary + Per Diem Menomonee Falls, WI Area First Shift & Global Travel

• COMPENSATION: Starting base salary up to $80,000 (scaling with field depth) + travel per diem + full benefits package.
• WORK SCHEDULE: First Shift base hours for shop assembly and testing, paired with scheduled domestic and international field service deployments (40–70 travel days annually).
• WORK ENVIRONMENT: State-of-the-art manufacturing facility and assembly lab in the Menomonee Falls area combined with modern field environments globally; high-visibility seat reporting directly to the CEO with zero corporate bureaucracy.
• EXPERIENCE & TECH STACK: 2+ years of hands‑on industrial machinery service/commissioning, high‑voltage (480V) control panels, PLC/HMI software downloads, print/schematic fluency, low‑voltage sensors, and multi‑axis motors.
• COMPANY STABILITY & CULTURE: Established, highly stable global manufacturer of high-performance automated systems with a reputation for precision craftsmanship, heavy reinvestment, flat organizational structure, and strong team culture.
• REQUIREMENTS / COMPLIANCE: US Citizen or Green Card holder; valid passport (or immediate capability to acquire one); must reside within daily commuting distance of Menomonee Falls, WI; candidate-provided mechanical/electrical field service toolset.

If you are a versatile technical specialist looking to escape the monotony of a fixed plant maintenance loop or a repetitive production floor, this high‑visibility global engineering support seat offers your ideal career destination. Operating out of a state‑of‑the‑art facility in the Menomonee Falls area, this role blends precision shop testing with hands‑on international deployments.

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will bypass slow-moving corporate matrixes and take true ownership of the full equipment lifecycle. Rather than focusing solely on reactive break/fix field repairs, you will lead internal Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) on the production floor, execute final Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) live at client facilities worldwide, and collaborate directly with design engineers to submit Engineering Change Requests (ECRs). You will enjoy massive operational autonomy, direct respect for your floor expertise, and constant technical variety across cutting‑edge automated systems.

What You Will Be Doing (Daily Responsibilities)

• Spearhead Global Field Commissioning: Lead on‑site machinery installations, system integrations, and final Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) at client facilities worldwide while delivering professional technical guidance to site operators.
• Execute Electro-Mechanical Diagnostics: Apply advanced diagnostic principles to isolate component faults, troubleshoot complex automated machinery, and implement lasting technical solutions using multi-page schematics.
• Manage Controls & Logic Deployment: Perform PLC and HMI software downloads, verify logic parameters, and safely work inside high‑voltage control panels, multi‑axis industrial drives, and low‑voltage sensor networks.
• Direct Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT): Schedule and spearhead internal FAT procedures prior to shipment, auditing completed machinery exiting production to guarantee zero‑defect quality standards.
• Drive Engineering Design Improvements: Formulate and submit Engineering Change Requests (ECRs) to design engineering based on real‑world field insights, directly optimizing future machinery design.
• Lead Technical Trade Show Staging: Oversee the technical setup, mechanical alignment, and electrical hookup of custom automated equipment for industry trade shows.

What We Are Looking For (Requirements & Qualifications)

• 2+ Years of Dedicated Field Depth: Verifiable track record commissioning, servicing, or maintaining complex electro‑mechanical industrial machinery or capital equipment.
• Schematics & Controls Aptitude: Fully comfortable troubleshooting automated systems, wiring industrial controls, and interpreting multi-page electrical, mechanical, and pneumatic schematics with minimal oversight.
• Global Mobility & Passport Readiness: Full, unconditional willingness and capability to travel 40 to 70 days per year, maintaining a valid passport for seamless international field deployments.
• Communication & Professionalism: Customer‑facing communication with an organized mindset essential for operator training, field service logging, and client collaboration.
• Local Commute & Tooling: Must reside within a daily commute of the Menomonee Falls, WI area and possess a comprehensive mechanical and electrical field service toolset.
• Work Authorization: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States (US Citizen or Green Card holder) without sponsorship requirements.

Preferred Technical Assets (Bonus Skills)

• PLC / HMI Programming Environments: Exposure to troubleshooting or modifying logic in Rockwell Automation (Studio 5000/Logix) or Siemens TIA Portal setups.
• Rigging & Precision Alignment: Hands‑on experience with precision laser alignment, rigging, and heavy machinery leveling.
• Client Training Background: Prior experience delivering structured operator and maintenance team training during equipment handovers.