Industrial Automation Engineer II

Direct Companies; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays and generous PTO

Life and disability insurance

Ongoing training and careerdevelopment

Job summary

Direct Companies seeks an Automation Engineer II to independently execute automation projects, troubleshoot systems, and support customers while ensuring performance standards. The role involves travel to customer sites about 25–40% and collaboration with project teams to deliver high-quality automation solutions.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering and 2–5 years of automation or controls experience, with strong problem-solving and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field with relevant experience.
• 2–5 years in automation, controls, or systems integration in industrial settings.
• Working knowledge of PLC, SCADA, DCS, HMI, and industrial networking technologies.
• Experience configuring, testing, commissioning, maintaining, or troubleshooting control systems.
• Excellent troubleshooting, communication, organization, and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to travel approximately 25–40%.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, test, commission, and troubleshoot automation and control systems.
• Independently complete assigned project activities per customer requirements.
• Travel to customer sites to support installation, startup, commissioning, and service work.
• Maintain accurate project and system documentation and communicate risks.

Skills

PLC/SCADA knowledge

System integration

Troubleshooting

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

ABB DeltaV

Rockwell Automation

Siemens

PLC

DCS

Job description

Join Our Team as an Automation Engineer II!

Direct Companies is currently seeking an Automation Engineer II to join our team. This role is responsible for independently executing automation projects, troubleshooting technical issues, supporting customers, and helping ensure automation and process control systems meet project requirements and performance expectations.

As an Automation Engineer II, you will take ownership of assigned technical work, collaborate directly with customers and project teams, and support less-experienced team members while contributing to reliable, high-quality automation solutions.

Position Summary

The Automation Engineer II installs, configures, tests, troubleshoots, and supports automation and control systems. This role independently manages assigned technical responsibilities, communicates project risks and system issues, maintains accurate documentation, and contributes to continuous improvement efforts.

This position requires travel to customer sites approximately 25–40% of the time.

Key Responsibilities

Project Execution & Technical Support

• Install, configure, test, commission, and troubleshoot automation and control systems
• Independently complete assigned project and service activities in accordance with customer requirements
• Respond to technical and customer needs while involving additional resources when appropriate
• Travel to customer sites to support installation, startup, commissioning, troubleshooting, and service work

Documentation & Communication

• Maintain accurate project, system, configuration, and service documentation
• Communicate technical issues, project risks, and recommended solutions to relevant stakeholders
• Work directly with customers, vendors, and internal project teams to support successful project outcomes
• Consistently use required company tools and project-management platforms

Team Support & Continuous Improvement

• Provide technical guidance and troubleshooting support to less-experienced team members
• Share knowledge and effective practices across the team
• Identify opportunities to improve project execution, system reliability, and customer service
• Continue developing technical expertise in automation, controls, and industrial systems

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Automation, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or a technical degree with equivalent relevant experience
• 2–5 years of experience in automation, controls, systems integration, or an industrial environment
• Working knowledge of PLC, SCADA, DCS, HMI, or industrial networking technologies
• Experience configuring, testing, commissioning, maintaining, or troubleshooting industrial control systems
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, organization, and critical-thinking skills
• Ability to independently manage assigned work and collaborate effectively with customers and project teams
• Ability to travel approximately 25–40%

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with platforms such as ABB, Emerson DeltaV, Rockwell Automation, or Siemens
• Experience with industrial communication networks, system architecture, or control panel design
• Experience supporting commissioning, startup, and service activities at customer facilities
• Experience in manufacturing, processing, industrial, or systems-integration environments
• Experience providing technical guidance or support to junior engineers or technicians

General Benefits Offering

At Direct Companies, we believe in rewarding hard work with strong benefits and growth opportunities. Team members enjoy:

• Competitive compensation
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Paid holidays and generous PTO
• Life and disability insurance
• Ongoing training and career development

Why Join Us?

At Direct Companies, we are committed to delivering innovative automation and electrical solutions through teamwork, continuous improvement, and technical excellence. As an Automation Engineer II, you will have the opportunity to take ownership of meaningful technical work, solve customer challenges, support your teammates, and contribute to high-impact automation projects.