Lead Automation Controls Engineer

Kelly Services; Arizona; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement savings plan

Holiday pay and sick leave

Job summary

Kelly Engineering is seeking an experienced Automation Controls Engineer III in Tempe, AZ. You will lead planning, design, programming, and implementation of PLC/HMI and PC-based control systems for diverse industries. Travel 25%–50% internationally and domestically.

Responsibilities include leading projects, mentoring junior engineers, and ensuring on-time, high-quality delivery while collaborating with cross-functional teams and clients.

Qualifications

• BS in an engineering field or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years in industrial automation design and development.
• PLC/HMI/PC programming and troubleshooting (Rockwell and/or Siemens).
• Servo/AC motion control, robotics, and machine vision systems experience.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop control systems based on customer requirements.
• Interpret client needs and deliver solutions on budget and schedule.
• Program PLCs, HMIs, and PC applications from start to finish.
• Develop and test software for robotics and vision systems.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Travel readiness

Education

BS in Engineering

Tools

Rockwell

Siemens

AutoCAD

MS Office

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