Lead Automation Controls Software Engineer - Relocation Assistance Available

Motion Control; Town of Victor (NY); On-site; USD 135,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Progressive Machine & Design, LLC in Victor, NY seeks a Lead Automation Controls Software Engineer with extensive experience in custom automation to lead programming, debugging and site installation of turnkey systems.

The role involves setting technical direction for multiple engineers, reviewing customer requirements, and ensuring code consistency across projects, including device drivers, FAT/SAT participation and concept development.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience with three or more of the listed automation disciplines.
• Experience with Rockwell, Siemens, and/or Omron PLC programming.
• Ability to lead and supervise engineers on complex projects.
• Experience in commissioning and site acceptance testing.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Work independently on larger or high complexity projects and/or multiple smaller projects.
• Training of new and/or less senior engineers.
• Set technical direction for multiple engineers on portions of larger or more complex projects.
• Peer Review of other engineers’ work for accuracy and thoroughness.
• Development of overall machine Controls Software Architecture
• Elements: Cells, Stations, Devices, Sequences
• interface
• recipe selection
• recipe editing
• status tracking
• data tracking
• report generation
• Ensure commonality of code amongst several engineers working on the same or similar projects.
• Review customer requirements, PMD proposal, and PMD cost estimate.
• Use provided standard code and device drivers, or use end-customer provided code and/or formats to create custom control & HM I programs.
• Create custom device driver code.
• Attend Mechanical Design Reviews to understand machine functionality; and suggest concepts & componentry to meet functional & safety requirements.
• Using control schematics, enter I/O into controller programs.
• Using timing chart provided by Mechanical Engineering, program intended sequences into controller programs.
• Download completed programs.
• Commission control hardware.
• Debug control hardware for out-of-box failures, intended design, and correct wiring/plumbing.
• Debug control software, including all intended sequences, modes of operation, special functions, fault detection, fault recovery, tooling return, and interface.
• Participate in Factory Acceptance Test at PMD.
• Participate in Site Acceptance Test at end-customer’s facility.

Skills

PLC Programming

HMI Programming

Robot Programming

Vision Systems

Industrial Protocols

Technical Supervision

Education

BS in EE, EET, Mechatronics, related engineering field; or demonstrated equivalent experience.

Job description

Location: On-site - Victor, NY. Design it. Build it. See it run.

Progressive Machine & Design, LLC

Posted on 08/25/2026

Qualified Candidates May be eligible for relocation assistance.

Salary: $135,000 - $160,000

Job Summary

Our Controls Engineering Department is Growing and we're looking for leaders of the pack who have experience in custom automation - no two projects are quite alike! The Lead Automation Controls Software Engineer is responsible for providing controls programming, debug, and site-installation of turnkey custom automation equipment.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Work independently on larger or high complexity projects and/or multiple smaller projects.
• Training of new and/or less senior engineers.
• Set technical direction for multiple engineers on portions of larger or more complex projects.
• Peer Review of other engineers’ work for accuracy and thoroughness.
• Development of overall machine Controls Software Architecture
• Elements: Cells, Stations, Devices, Sequences
• interface
• recipe selection
• recipe editing
• status tracking
• data tracking
• report generation
• Ensure commonality of code amongst several engineers working on the same or similar projects.
• Review customer requirements, PMD proposal, and PMD cost estimate.
• Use provided standard code and device drivers, or use end-customer provided code and/or formats to create custom control & HMI programs.
• Create custom device driver code.
• Attend Mechanical Design Reviews to understand machine functionality; and suggest concepts & componentry to meet functional & safety requirements.
• Using control schematics, enter I/O into controller programs.
• Using timing chart provided by Mechanical Engineering, program intended sequences into controller programs.
• Download completed programs.
• Commission control hardware.
• Debug control hardware for out-of-box failures, intended design, and correct wiring/plumbing.
• Debug control software, including all intended sequences, modes of operation, special functions, fault detection, fault recovery, tooling return, and interface.
• Participate in Factory Acceptance Test at PMD.
• Participate in Site Acceptance Test at end-customer’s facility.

Minimum Skills & Abilities

EXPERIENCE (10+ years) with 3 or more of the following:

• PLC Programming (Rockwell, Siemens, and/or Omron)
• HMI Programming (Rockwell, Siemens, and/or Omron)
• Robot Programming (Fanuc, ABB, Epson, Staubli, and/or Kuka)
• Vision Systems (Cognex, Keyence, Matrox, and/or Teledyne Dalsa)
• Industrial Protocols (Ethernet/IP, ProfiNet, EtherCat, and/or IOLink)
• Technical Supervision (5+ years)

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Effective verbal and written communication.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general technical procedures.
• Ability to work in decimal, octal hexadecimal, and binary numbering systems.
• Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry and to calculate scaling factors, proportions, percentages, rates, and ratios.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Organized
• Detail oriented
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team
• Ability to take direction
• Creative/Innovative
• Time management skills

Minimum Education & Experience

EDUCATION

• BS in EE, EET, Mechatronics, related engineering field; or demonstrated equivalent experience.