PLC Automation Engineer - 173493

Zachary Piper Solutions; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Sick leave

401K

Job summary

Piper Companies is seeking a PLC Automation Engineer to join our engineering team in Charlotte, NC. You will design and implement controls systems for mission-critical facilities and participate in panel design, documentation, and startup activities.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's in Electrical/Controls/Automation engineering and 2–5 years of experience, with hands-on experience using AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, and Allen-Bradley/Rockwell hardware. Travel about 30% is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Controls/Automation engineering or related discipline
• 2–5 years of industrial automation or controls engineering experience
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical and/or EPLAN; ability to generate electrical drawings
• Experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell hardware, panel design, wiring and system integration
• Ability to travel ~30% to customer sites for commissioning

Responsibilities

• Design and develop industrial control systems, including electrical schematics, panel layouts, and automation architectures for complex facility projects
• Create and maintain detailed engineering documentation using AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar design platforms
• Configure, troubleshoot, and support Allen-Bradley PLC-based control systems from initial design through startup and commissioning activities
• Lead design efforts on large-scale automation programs while coordinating with cross-functional engineering teams and mentoring less experienced engineers
• Identify opportunities to streamline engineering workflows, automate design and submittal processes, and improve overall project quality and delivery timelines

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering / Controls Engineering / Automation Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

EPLAN

Allen-Bradley

Rockwell Automation hardware

Job description

Piper Companies is seeking a PLC Automation Engineer to join a growing engineering team supporting mission-critical industrial projects across the data center, pharmaceutical, and life sciences sectors. This PLC Automation Engineer will play a key role in controls system design, automation development, panel design, and project execution while helping drive process improvements and engineering innovation.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop industrial control systems, including electrical schematics, panel layouts, and automation architectures for complex facility projects.
• Create and maintain detailed engineering documentation using AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar design platforms to support project deliverables.
• Configure, troubleshoot, and support Allen-Bradley PLC-based control systems from initial design through startup and commissioning activities.
• Lead design efforts on large-scale automation programs while coordinating with cross-functional engineering teams and mentoring less experienced engineers.
• Identify opportunities to streamline engineering workflows, automate design and submittal processes, and improve overall project quality and delivery timelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline; equivalent industry experience will also be considered.
• 2-5 years of professional experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, electrical design, or related technical environments.
• Advanced proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical and/or EPLAN, including the ability to independently generate electrical and controls drawings.
• Extensive experience with Allen-Bradley and Rockwell Automation hardware, including component selection, panel design, wiring, and system integration.
• Ability to travel approximately 30% to customer locations and support project commissioning activities; exposure to automation-driven design improvements is highly preferred.

Compensation

Salary Range: $95,000 - $115,000 annually

Bonus: Performance-based bonus program tied to both individual contributions and overall company results.

Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, sick leave if required by law, and 401K.

Work Arrangement: Full-time permanent position based in Charlotte, NC. Five days onsite initially with future hybrid work eligibility based on performance and business needs.

Application Details

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

Posting Date: September 4, 2026

Apply By: Open Until Filled

Travel Requirement: Approximately 30% domestic travel, primarily supporting project work in the Southeast and Midwest regions.

Schedule: Standard Monday-Friday schedule with typical hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Average workweek is approximately 40 hours, with occasional project-driven increases during critical milestones.