Lead Field Automation Specialist – PLC Program & Electro-Mechanical Service

Software Placement Group; Johnson Creek (WI); On-site; USD 108,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle

Benefits package

Equity/ownership potential

Job summary

Software Placement Group in Wisconsin is seeking a Lead Field Automation Specialist to own field maintenance and PLC/HMI projects across Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. The role combines electro-mechanical troubleshooting with rigorous controls programming in a highly autonomous field environment.

You will work with a company vehicle, address service calls and upgrades, and advise clients to minimize downtime while advancing automation capabilities.

Qualifications

• 5+ years electro-mechanical industrial maintenance experience.
• 2+ years PLC programming and HMI screen configuration.
• Expertise in panel wiring, schematics, power distribution, motor controls.
• Knowledge of hydraulic and pneumatic systems and associated components.
• Associate degree in automated systems/controls/mechatronics or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Must reside within a 45-minute drive of Johnson Creek, WI.
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record; U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.

Responsibilities

• Provide field maintenance, service calls, startups, retrofits across WI and Northern IL using company vehicle.
• Architect and program control software across PLC and HMI platforms.
• Troubleshoot electrical panels, VFDs, motor drives, safety interlocks on-site.
• Repair hydraulic and pneumatic systems on custom machinery and lines.
• Install, commission and retrofit automation equipment including panels and safety devices.
• Interpret complex electrical schematics on-site to minimize downtime and advise clients.

Skills

Electro-mechanical maintenance

PLC programming

HMI configuration

Panel wiring & schematics

Hydraulic & pneumatic systems

Education

Associate Degree in Automated Systems / Controls / Mechatronics

Tools

FANUC

Universal Robots

Ignition SCADA

Job description

Location: Johnson Creek, WI area (field-based, must reside within a 45-minute drive) | Schedule: Full-time, direct-hire, on-site and field operations with flexible scheduling | Compensation: Up to $120,000 base salary

Overview

An established, fast-growing systems integrator that designs, installs, rebuilds, and services custom control systems and industrial machinery across Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois is seeking a Lead Field Automation Specialist. This high-autonomy role blends electro-mechanical troubleshooting with PLC programming and controls expertise, serving as a trusted technical resource for clients in the field.

What you'll do

• Serve as a dedicated field maintenance specialist handling service calls, system startups, emergency repairs, retrofits, and machinery upgrades across Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois using an assigned company vehicle
• Architect and program custom control software from scratch across various major PLC and HMI platforms
• Perform advanced on-site electrical and controls troubleshooting, diagnosing control circuits, electrical panels, VFDs, DC controllers, motor drives, and safety interlocks
• Diagnose and repair mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems across custom industrial machinery and automated production lines
• Install, commission, and retrofit automation machinery, including panel builds, light curtains/scanners, safety controllers, and cobot/robotic integrations
• Interpret complex electrical schematics and blueprints on-site to resolve issues rapidly and serve as a trusted technical advisor to minimize customer downtime

Required qualifications

• 5+ years of electro-mechanical industrial maintenance experience (open to lower tenure for candidates who pass a rigorous technical skills assessment)
• 2+ years of hands-on experience developing PLC programs from scratch and configuring HMI screens across multiple industrial platforms
• High-level expertise in panel wiring, schematic interpretation, power distribution, motor controls, and diagnostic testing
• Solid hands-on understanding of hydraulic and pneumatic pumps, valves, cylinders, and mechanical power transmission assemblies
• Open to candidates without a formal diploma if backed by strong hands-on field experience, OR candidates holding an Associate Degree (A.S.) in Automated Systems, Controls, or Mechatronics
• Must reside within a 45-minute drive of Johnson Creek, WI
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder)

Preferred qualifications

• Hands‑on integration, path teaching, or programming experience with FANUC, Universal Robots (UR), or alternative robotic cells
• Exposure to high-level language integration, Ignition SCADA, or SQL database connections for plant floor data collection
• Proficiency configuring EtherNet/IP, Modbus, or PROFIBUS communication topologies across complex control networks

Compensation and benefits

• Up to $120,000 starting base salary, scaling with automation and maintenance depth
• Assigned company service vehicle
• Comprehensive corporate benefits package
• Long-term equity/ownership potential

Why this role

This position offers high-autonomy field work with flexible scheduling, direct technical mentoring, and long-term equity/ownership potential within a stable, fast-growing organization known for an average employee tenure of about 9 years.