PLC Controls Specialist

Kelly Services; Tempe (AZ); Remote; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Retirement savings plan

Holiday pay and paid time off

Transit spending account

Short-term disability

Job summary

Kelly Services in Tempe, AZ seeks a Lead PLC Controls Specialist for a 3+ month automation integration project. You will lead PLC controls development for high‑mix manufacturing automation, including ASRS-to-conveyor handshakes, station sequencing, robotics interfaces, interlocks, PLC emulation, and commissioning support.

Collaborate with ASRS, robotics, software, electrical, and commissioning engineers to validate reliable equipment communication and sequence operation, troubleshoot I/O and

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience developing and commissioning industrial PLC controls.
• Experience with ASRS, conveyors, stockers, AGVs, robotics, or automated material-handling systems.
• Familiar with VALID, READY, and BUSY handshakes in PLC logic.
• Ability to work with multidisciplinary engineering teams and document solutions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and troubleshoot PLC-based equipment sequences.
• Implement ASRS, conveyor, and station handshake logic.
• Define CC-Link IE Field bit and word mappings.
• Develop VALID / READY / BUSY and related equipment-state logic.
• Support ASRS discharge-to-infeed sequencing.
• Implement station interlocks and simulated safety responses.
• Support PLC emulation, virtual commissioning, bench testing, and integration testing.
• Interface PLC logic with robots, readers, vision systems, HMIs, and supervisory software.
• Troubleshoot I/O, networks, timing, and equipment-integration issues.
• Create controls documentation and test records.
• Coordinate with ASRS, robotics, software, and commissioning teams.

Skills

PLC programming

ASRS integration

Conveyors

Robotics interfaces

Interlocks

HMI interfaces

I/O troubleshooting

Tools

Rockwell Studio 5000

ControlLogix

Logix Emulate

Mitsubishi GX Works3

CC-Link IE Field

EtherNet/IP

GuardLogix

FANUC robotics I/O

Keyence vision systems

PanelView

Job description

Lead PLC Controls Specialist — 3+ month Automation Integration Project

A confidential engineering and automation services organization is seeking a Lead PLC Controls Specialist to support a high‑mix manufacturing automation integration project.

In this role, you will lead PLC controls development and integration for automated material handling, including ASRS-to-conveyor handshakes, station sequencing, robotics interfaces, interlocks, PLC emulation, and commissioning support. You will collaborate with ASRS, robotics, software, electrical, and commissioning engineers to validate reliable equipment communication and sequence operation.

This is an excellent opportunity for a controls professional who enjoys solving complex integration problems and has hands‑on experience with material‑handling or robotic automation systems.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and troubleshoot PLC-based equipment sequences.


• Implement ASRS, conveyor, and station handshake logic.


• Define CC-Link IE Field bit and word mappings.


• Develop VALID / READY / BUSY and related equipment‑state logic.


• Support ASRS discharge-to-infeed sequencing.


• Implement station interlocks, permissives, and simulated safety responses.


• Support PLC emulation, virtual commissioning, bench testing, and integration testing.


• Interface PLC logic with robots, readers, vision systems, HMIs, and supervisory software.


• Troubleshoot I/O, industrial networks, timing, sequence, and equipment‑integration issues.


• Create clear controls documentation and test records.


• Coordinate with ASRS, robotics, software, and commissioning teams.


• Work within strict customer confidentiality and secure‑development requirements.

What You’ll Bring

• Professional experience developing and commissioning industrial PLC controls.


• Experience with ASRS, conveyors, stockers, AGVs, robotics, or other automated material‑handling systems.


• Hands‑on experience with equipment handshakes such as VALID, READY, and BUSY.


• Experience troubleshooting PLC logic, I/O, industrial networks, and automated sequences.


• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams.


• Strong technical documentation and problem‑solving skills.


• Availability to support an approximately 12‑week project assignment.

Preferred Experience

• Rockwell Studio 5000, ControlLogix, or CompactLogix


• Logix Emulate or virtual commissioning


• Mitsubishi GX Works3 or iQ‑R


• CC-Link IE Field


• EtherNet/IP


• GuardLogix and safety‑zone programming


• FANUC robot I/O and DCS integration


• Keyence or Cognex readers and vision systems


• PanelView or PC‑based HMI


• Semiconductor, electronics, or other high‑mix manufacturing automation


• SEMI S2, NFPA 79, UL 508A, ANSI/RIA R15.06, or OSHA machinery‑safety experience


• Secure, air‑gapped, ITAR, CUI, or customer‑confidential development environments

Location and Assignment

• Location: Remote or customer/project site, based on project requirements


• Assignment length: Approximately 12 weeks


• Start date: As soon as available; specific start date to be confirmed


• Work arrangement: Project‑based engineering assignment with potential onsite integration and commissioning activities

Why Join This Project?

• Lead controls integration for a technically complex automation system.


• Work at the intersection of PLCs, ASRS, robotics, conveyors, and software.


• Contribute to a confidential advanced‑manufacturing integration effort.


• Collaborate with experienced controls, robotics, and software engineers.


• Apply hands‑on controls expertise to a defined, high‑impact project.

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work‑related resources. Please note: The following benefits reflect Kelly's general offerings. Eligibility may vary by assignment, location, and job type. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short‑term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.