Lead Automation Controls Engineer

Kelly Services; Arizona; On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Holiday pay

Transit benefit

Sick leave

Bonus program

Job summary

Kelly Engineering in Tempe, AZ is seeking an Automation Controls Engineer III to lead design, programming and implementation of PLC/HMI and PC-based control systems across various industries. You will balance customer needs, budgets, and schedules while acting as a technical expert within multidisciplinary teams.

You will design and test software for robotics and vision systems, mentor junior engineers, and travel 25–50% to support commissioning and customer sites, including international

Qualifications

• BS in engineering or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years in industrial automation design/development.
• Experience with PLC/HMI/PC programming and troubleshooting (Rockwell/Siemens).
• Knowledge of servo/AC motion, pneumatics, robotics, machine vision.
• Experience with safety/industrial communications; UL/NFPA/CE familiarity.
• AutoCAD and MS Office proficiency.
• Strong communication and leadership in meetings.
• Willing to travel 25–50%, including international travel.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop cutting-edge control systems per customer requirements.
• Interpret client needs and deliver on budget and schedule.
• Program PLCs, HMIs, and PC applications from start to finish.
• Develop and test software for robotics, vision systems, and machine automation.
• Lead or participate in system commissioning and on-site support.
• Oversee workflow, set expectations, and ensure timely delivery.
• Collaborate with management and cross-functional teams for project execution.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to continuous improvement.
• Stay current with new technologies and best practices.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

PC programming

Motion control

Robotics integration

Machine vision

AutoCAD

Communication skills

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Rockwell

Siemens

Job description

Job Description

Automation Controls Engineer III

Location: Tempe AZ

Travel: 25%–50% (Domestic and International)

Summary/Objective: Are you passionate about complex automation challenges and leading innovative projects? We are seeking an experienced Automation Controls Engineer III to join our growing team. In this advanced role, you will lead the planning, design, programming, and implementation of PLC/HMI and/or PC-based control systems, as well as collaborate on customized solutions for a variety of industries. You will balance customer needs, technical execution, and project budgets/schedules, while serving as a technical expert and strong communicator within multidisciplinary teams. Your creativity, leadership, and hands‑on expertise will directly shape the success of our automation systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and develop cutting‑edge control systems based on customer requirements and engineering principles.
• Interpret client needs, address technical challenges, and deliver solutions on budget and schedule.
• Program PLCs (Rockwell, Siemens), HMIs, and PC (.Net) applications from start to finish.
• Develop and test comprehensive software solutions for robotics, vision systems, and machine automation.
• Lead or participate in system commissioning, troubleshooting, and support both onsite and at customer facilities.
• Oversee project workflow, set and communicate expectations, and ensure timely, high-quality delivery.
• Collaborate closely with management, clients, and cross‑functional teams for seamless project execution.
• Support and mentor junior engineers, help onboard new staff, and contribute to continuous improvement of engineering practices and documentation.
• Stay current with new technologies and industry best practices, introducing innovative solutions to our systems.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• BS in an applicable engineering field or equivalent demonstrated experience.
• 5+ years of professional experience in industrial automation design and development.
• Demonstrated expertise in PLC/HMI/PC programming and troubleshooting (Rockwell and/or Siemens required).
• Competency with servo/AC motion control, pneumatic design, industrial robots (Fanuc, UR, ABB), and machine vision systems (e.g., Cognex, Keyence).
• Experience integrating and commissioning safety and industrial communication systems; familiarity with UL, NFPA, and CE standards.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD for design/drafting and MS Office Suite.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills; capable of leading meetings and representing engineering concepts to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Strong problem‑solver who can manage multiple projects concurrently with minimal supervision.
• Willing and able to travel (25%-50%), including some international assignments.
• Leadership potential with the ability to contribute to recruitment and training of new team members.
• Customer‑focused, collaborative, self‑motivated, and committed to continuous self‑improvement.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to drive impactful projects and shape next‑generation automation solutions.
• Diverse and challenging work with a talented, supportive team.
• Growth opportunities in both technical and project leadership tracks.
• Competitive compensation, benefits, and travel opportunities.

Benefits:

• Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short‑term disability.
• As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account.
• In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan.

Why Kelly Engineering?

Your engineering skills are in demand, but how do you find the right fit? Easy. At Kelly Engineering, our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. We connect you with leading organizations where you can collaborate