Process Engineer - Automation Technical Services

SMS group; Gary (IN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision coverage

401k with company match

Tuition reimbursement program

Training opportunities

Job summary

SMS group is seeking an Automation Engineer to support PLC design and troubleshooting for welding, machining, and data reporting across multiple facilities. You will design PLC systems to integrate robots, welders, CNCs, and other equipment, while performing backups and diagnostics to minimize downtime.

You should be skilled in industrial PLCs, safety practices, and documentation. Expect travel domestically 25% and international as required, with a strong emphasis on independent work at customer

Qualifications

• Technical diploma, apprenticeship, associate degree, or equivalent in industrial electrical tech, automation, or related field.
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting industrial electrical systems and control circuits.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and wiring diagrams.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and repair industrial electrical systems, control panels, motor controls, and automated machinery.
• Diagnose PLC hardware, processor faults, ladder logic, networks, and I/O problems.
• Use PLC software to monitor logic, review diagnostics, and identify control faults.

Skills

Troubleshooting

PLC

Electrical safety

Documentation

Independent work

Education

Tech diploma

Associate degree

Eng degree preferred

Tools

Rockwell AB

Siemens SIMATIC

Studio 5000

EPLAN

AutoCAD Electrical

Job description

Onsite in either Washington, PA - Taylor, MI - OR Gary, IN with ability to travel

Position Summary

The Automation Engineer will work to support the technical services within SMS group to both support existing automation as well as integrate new technology and work cells. We are looking to hire a skilled Automation Engineer to work with other Continuous Improvement Engineers supporting PLC design and troubleshooting for automated welding, machining, material handling, and data reporting. As an Automation Engineer, you will be responsible for designing PLC systems to integrate robots with welders, CNC machines, saws, and other equipment used in part processing. You may also be required to perform routine PLC and hard drive backups and troubleshoot issues on existing PLCs to reduce downtime. To ensure success as an Automation Engineer, you should have experience working with manufacturing PLCs, with a keen eye for safety, great attention to detail, and the ability to work unsupervised. Excellent documentation and file organization are key to efficient troubleshooting and restoring lost data across multiple locations.

Who We Are

At SMS group, our people are our greatest asset. We offer an entrepreneurial environment that promotes a culture of innovation, growth, and inclusion. We offer company events, activities, and opportunities to participate in charitable initiatives that benefit the communities where we are located. www.sms-group.us

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and repair industrial electrical systems, control panels, motor controls, and automated machinery.
• Diagnose PLC hardware, processor faults, ladder logic, communication networks, and I/O problems.
• Use PLC programming software to monitor logic, review diagnostics, and identify control system faults.
• Troubleshoot digital and analog signals, sensors, transmitters, actuators, and field wiring.
• Diagnose industrial communication issues involving PLCs, remote I/O, VFDs, HMIs, and industrial devices.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, ladder diagrams, and panel layouts.
• Perform electrical measurements using multimeters, clamp meters, and appropriate signal testing equipment.
• Support equipment installation, commissioning, preventative maintenance, and repairs, including creating, organizing and storing system backups.
• Document troubleshooting findings, corrective actions, and service recommendations.
• Follow applicable electrical safety, lockout/tagout, and workshop procedures.
• Troubleshooting issues during the manufacturing process and modifying PLCs as needed.
• Scheduling, overseeing, and documenting preventative maintenance and software updated for equipment.
• Train staff on the implementation and operation of automation systems and tools
• Work with internal departments (IT, digital, electrical, business systems) to allow automated data collection and production monitoring tools to communicate with other business systems within the organization

Qualifications

• Technical diploma, apprenticeship, associate degree, or equivalent experience in industrial electrical technology, automation, or a related field. Electrical Engineering or Mechatronics Degree Preferred.
• Hands‑on experience troubleshooting industrial electrical systems and control circuits.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics and wiring diagrams.
• Working knowledge of PLCs, industrial I/O, motor controls, and AC/DC circuits.
• Familiarity with digital and analog signal testing and electrical test instruments.
• Strong analytical, communication, documentation, and customer service skills.
• Ability to work independently at industrial facilities and travel as required.
• Commitment to safe work practices, including lockout/tagout and applicable electrical safety requirements.
• Interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, ladder diagrams, terminal layouts, wire numbers, and device cross‑references.
• Use schematics, PLC diagnostics, and electrical measurements together to isolate faults and determine root causes.
• Ability to travel domestically 25% of the time. Ability to travel internationally when required.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in PLC Systems and programming software including
• Rockwell Automation / Allen‑Bradley
• PLC‑5, SLC 500, ControlLogix, RSLogix 5, RSLogix 500, RSLogix 5000, Studio 5000 Logix Designer, RSLinx Classic, and FactoryTalk Linx.
• Siemens SIMATIC
• S7‑300 and S7‑400, S7‑1200 and S7‑1500, STEP 7 Classic, SIMATIC Manager and TIA Portal.
• Experience in industrial communication networks to diagnose network faults, device connectivity issues, addressing problems, and communication errors.
• PROFIBUS, PROFINET, DH+, EtherNet/IP, ControlNet, DeviceNet
• Experience in Digital and Analog Signal/I/O Troubleshooting including both digital and analog signals.
• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar electrical documentation software.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation, medical/dental/vision coverage, paid holiday time, 401k with a company match, training, a tuition reimbursement program and more!

What We Do

• SMS group is the leading partner in the world of metals. We are an original equipment supplier offering comprehensive maintenance and spare part services for metals production, continuous casting and rolling (flat and long products), tubes, welded pipes, forging, non-ferrous technology, and heat treatment plants-all from a single source.

SMS group Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment with regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, gender identity or other categories protected by law. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a drug screen and physical capacity profile test.