Remote Automation Software Engineer: PLC & Controls

GCS Recruitment; United States; Remote; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

GCS Recruitment is seeking an Automation Software Engineer to remotely support a large-scale fleet of automated industrial systems in a high-availability production environment. You will diagnose issues, develop PLC software in Structured Text, and maintain and improve control platforms such as CODESYS, TwinCAT, and Studio 5000.

The role emphasizes diagnosing machine faults, optimizing alarms, and ensuring robust system performance across EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, OPC UA, and Modbus networks.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Controls Engineering, Industrial Automation, Software Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Hands-on experience with IEC 61131-3 programming environments such as CODESYS, Beckhoff TwinCAT, or similar PLC platforms.
• Strong Structured Text (ST) programming experience.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs, including ControlLogix, CompactLogix, and Studio 5000.
• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols including EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, TCP/IP, OPC UA, and Modbus.
• Experience troubleshooting automated equipment, robotics, conveyors, material handling systems, or other industrial automation systems.
• Strong analytical, diagnostic, and root cause problem-solving skills.
• Experience utilizing system logs, alarms, telemetry, and remote access tools for troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and resolve production system issues remotely using alarms, system logs, telemetry, and PLC diagnostic tools.
• Develop, modify, test, and maintain PLC software utilizing Structured Text and IEC 61131-3 programming standards.
• Support industrial control platforms including CODESYS, Beckhoff TwinCAT, Allen-Bradley, and related technologies.
• Investigate machine faults, communication issues, and automation system performance concerns, performing root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Improve system reliability through software enhancements, alarm optimization, code standardization, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support and troubleshoot industrial communication networks, including EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, OPC UA, Modbus, and TCP/IP.
• Collaborate with software, controls, operations, maintenance, and engineering teams to maximize system uptime and efficiency.
• Develop technical documentation, support procedures, troubleshooting guides, and operational runbooks.
• Participate in incident response and on-call support activities as needed.

Skills

PLC programming

Structured Text

Industrial automation

Remote troubleshooting

Root cause analysis

Diagnostics

Systems monitoring

Tools

CODESYS

Beckhoff TwinCAT

Allen-Bradley Studio 5000

EtherNet/IP

EtherCAT

OPC UA

Modbus

TCP/IP

Job description

GCS Recruitment is seeking an Automation Software Engineer to remotely support a large-scale fleet of automated industrial systems in a high-availability production environment. You will diagnose issues, develop PLC software in Structured Text, and maintain and improve control platforms such as CODESYS, TwinCAT, and Studio 5000.

The role emphasizes diagnosing machine faults, optimizing alarms, and ensuring robust system performance across EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, OPC UA, and Modbus networks.