Lead Automation Controls Engineer

Liberty Personnel Services, Inc.; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Company-paid disability insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

Liberty Personnel Services, Inc. is assisting an established industrial automation and equipment manufacturer in Birmingham, AL to hire a Lead Automation Controls Engineer.

This hands-on, leadership role guides design through commissioning of automated crane control systems, with a focus on safety, schedule, and budget. You will lead PLC/SCADA/HMI development, coordinate cross‑functional teams, and serve as the primary technical contact with customers, traveling ~30% as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or 5+ years of relevant professional experience.
• 5+ years of industrial controls experience preferred, within machine-building or OEM environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead automation projects from electrical design through installation and commissioning.
• Willingness to travel approximately 30% of the time, typically in two-week assignments.
• Strong understanding of industrial controls, PLCs, VFDs, and automated equipment.
• Experience commissioning VFDs from Magnetek, Yaskawa, Siemens, or Rockwell.
• PLC programming experience using ladder logic (AB Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal).
• Experience configuring I/O and industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, PROFIBUS, Modbus).
• Experience developing, configuring, troubleshooting, and deploying SCADA systems.
• Experience configuring Allen-Bradley HMIs.
• Strong leadership, communication, and customer-facing project management skills.
• Familiarity with RIA robot safety standards, OSHA safety standards, NFPA 79.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical design of automation systems using AutoCAD Electrical, including power distribution and panel layouts.
• Calculate SCCR, power requirements, and full-load amperage for electrical panels.
• Provide technical direction during electrical assembly, equipment integration, and system build activities.
• Lead PLC, SCADA, HMI, and VFD programming from design through commissioning.
• Oversee equipment configuration, debugging, and testing on the shop floor for customer reviews.
• Lead factory acceptance testing and customer equipment runoffs.
• Direct electrical integration and troubleshooting during customer installations.
• Lead onsite startup, commissioning, and project closeout as primary technical contact.
• Coordinate engineering, assembly, and field activities to meet milestones.
• Manage schedules, costs, and resources to meet budget and delivery commitments.
• Troubleshoot complex controls issues and guide team members.
• Maintain compliance with industrial electrical and machinery safety standards.

Skills

Industrial controls

PLC programming

SCADA systems

HMI configuration

Project leadership

Customer-facing PM

VFDs

Industrial networks

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Studio 5000

TIA Portal

AutoCAD Electrical

SCADA software

Job description

Position Overview

An established industrial automation and equipment manufacturer is seeking a Lead Automation Controls Engineer to provide technical leadership for automated crane control systems from initial design through programming, commissioning, and final customer acceptance.

This hands-on leadership role is ideal for an experienced controls engineer who can lead complex automation projects, guide electrical assembly and programming activities, coordinate with cross-functional teams, and serve as the primary technical contact for customers. The successful candidate will help drive project execution, resolve technical challenges, and ensure systems are delivered safely, on schedule, and within budget.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the electrical design of complete automation systems using AutoCAD Electrical, including power distribution, safety circuits, I/O controls, communications, and panel layouts.
• Calculate short-circuit current ratings (SCCR), power requirements, and full-load amperage (FLA) for electrical panels.
• Provide technical direction during electrical assembly, equipment integration, and system build activities.
• Lead the development and implementation of PLC, SCADA, HMI, and VFD programs from scratch through final commissioning.
• Oversee equipment configuration, debugging, and testing on the shop floor in preparation for customer reviews.
• Lead factory acceptance testing and customer equipment runoffs.
• Direct electrical integration and troubleshooting during customer installations.
• Lead onsite startup, commissioning, and project closeout, serving as the primary technical point of contact for customers.
• Coordinate engineering, assembly, and field activities to ensure project milestones are achieved.
• Manage project schedules, costs, and resources to meet budget and delivery commitments.
• Troubleshoot complex controls issues and provide technical guidance to team members.
• Maintain compliance with applicable industrial electrical and machinery safety standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field, or 5+ years of relevant professional experience.
• 5+ years of industrial controls experience preferred, particularly within machine-building or OEM environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead automation projects from electrical design through installation and commissioning.
• Willingness to travel approximately 30% of the time, typically in two-week assignments.
• Strong understanding of industrial controls, PLCs, VFDs, and automated equipment.
• Experience commissioning VFDs from manufacturers such as Magnetek, Yaskawa, Siemens, or Rockwell.
• PLC programming experience using ladder logic, particularly Allen-Bradley Studio 5000 and Siemens TIA Portal.
• Experience configuring I/O and industrial communication networks, including EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, PROFIBUS, and Modbus.
• Experience developing, configuring, troubleshooting, and deploying SCADA systems.
• Experience configuring Allen-Bradley HMIs.
• Strong leadership, communication, and customer-facing project management skills.
• Ability to direct onsite installations, resolve technical issues, and lead projects through successful completion.
• Familiarity with RIA robot safety standards, OSHA safety standards, and NFPA 79.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Company-paid short-term disability insurance
• Long-term disability coverage available
• Company-paid basic life insurance
• Additional life insurance options
• Employee assistance program
• Nine paid holidays
• Paid time off program
• Tool purchase program
• Weekly pay with direct deposit
• Competitive compensation

Why Consider This Opportunity?

Take the next step into a technical leadership role where you can influence engineering decisions, lead complex automation projects, and oversee delivery from concept through startup. This position offers the opportunity to combine hands-on controls expertise with project leadership and direct customer interaction in a specialized industrial automation environment.