Lead Controls Engineer – Robotics & Automation

Vulcan Elements; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Vulcan Elements is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to lead integration and commissioning of industrial controls, robotics, and vision systems in our new US facility. You will work hands-on with PLCs, robots, and machine interfaces to deliver safe, reliable automated lines.

The role requires a bachelor's or master's in electrical or automation engineering and 4+ years of relevant experience in defense, aerospace, or automotive environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field with 4+ years of direct industrial automation and controls engineering experience.
• Strong hands-on experience programming and commissioning Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, SIemens PLCs and HMIs, including safety PLCs such as GuardLogix.
• Hands-on experience integrating multi-axis robots – FANUC, ABB, and/or KUKA - including teaching, program review, PLC handshaking, and safety zone configuration.
• Grinding, wire saw, EDM, or lapping equipment; mass finishing and deburring lines; conveyorized coating and cure ovens.

Responsibilities

• Lead hands-on programming, debugging, and commissioning of Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, and other industrial control hardware across grinding, wire saw, EDM, tumbling, coating, magnetization, and inline inspection equipment.
• Own the integration and commissioning of robot cells (Fanuc, ABB, Kuka) with cell layout review, end-of-arm tooling, PLC-to-robot handshaking, machine vision, and coordinated motion with conveyors, rotary tables, and servo feeds.
• Execute task-based risk assessments to ISO 10218-1/-2, ISO/TS 15066, and ANSI/RIA R15.06; specify safety functions and demonstrate FATs/SATs on-site.
• Configure and maintain communications between PLCs, robots, CNCs, and the SCADA/MES layer including tag mapping, alarming, and data acquisition.

Skills

PLC Programming

Robot Integration

Safety Systems

HMI/SCADA

Vision Systems

ISO standards

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Siemens PLCs

Allen-Bradley/Rockwell

Fanuc robots

ABB robots

KUKA robots

HMI software (FactoryTalk)

Job description

Vulcan Elements is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to lead integration and commissioning of industrial controls, robotics, and vision systems in our new US facility. You will work hands-on with PLCs, robots, and machine interfaces to deliver safe, reliable automated lines.

The role requires a bachelor's or master's in electrical or automation engineering and 4+ years of relevant experience in defense, aerospace, or automotive environments.