Senior Automation Controls Engineer

Jobtailor; Alabama; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor seeks an experienced Industrial Controls Engineer to collaborate with applications engineers on automated manufacturing equipment. You will lead the controls architecture, including network topology, I/O, and safety systems, and guide the integration of robotic and CNC tooling from concept to commissioning.

With 6+ years in industrial controls, you will develop offline simulations, oversee site acceptance testing, and produce comprehensive control documentation for diverse

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Controls, or related engineering field.
• Minimum 6 years of hands-on experience developing and integrating industrial controls and automation systems from scratch.
• PLC and HMI programming as core competencies.
• Control system architecture design (network topology, I/O distribution, safety systems, multi-platform communication protocols).
• Broad exposure to industrial automation platforms such as robots, CNC machines, material handling systems.
• Must interpret and review electrical and mechanical drawings, and ensure safety system design.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with applications engineers in the development of conceptual automated manufacturing equipment.
• Provide controls architecture input and feedback from concept through detailed design.
• Design control system architectures including network topology, I/O distribution, safety systems, and communication protocols.
• Lead industrial controls and electrical design of bespoke automation systems.
• Develop offline simulations of automated systems to validate control logic, robot paths, cycle times, and system behavior.
• Transition from offline development to online debugging and commissioning of PLC, HMI, robot, and related controls programs from scratch.
• Integrate auxiliary equipment, machines, and tools into unified control systems.
• Work with panel fabricators and field installation teams; provide technical support during system integration and commissioning.
• Lead factory and site acceptance testing.
• Lead the build, installation, commissioning, and start-up of automated manufacturing systems.
• Create and deliver controls documentation packages including sequence of operations, I/O lists, network diagrams, and program documentation.

Skills

PLC Programming

HMI Programming

Control System Architecture Design

Industrial Safety System Design

Automation System Integration

Electrical Engineering

Mechatronics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Mechatronics/Controls

Tools

Robots

CNC Machines

Material Handling Systems

Job description

• Collaborate with applications engineers in the development of conceptual automated manufacturing equipment
• Provide controls architecture input and feedback from concept through detailed design
• Design control system architectures including network topology, I/O distribution, safety systems, and communication protocols
• Lead industrial controls and electrical design of bespoke automation systems
• Develop offline simulations of automated systems to validate control logic, robot paths, cycle times, and system behavior
• Transition from offline development to online debugging and commissioning of PLC, HMI, robot, and similar industrial controls programs from scratch
• Integrate auxiliary equipment, machines, and tools into unified control systems
• Work with panel fabricators and field installation teams; provide technical support during system integration and commissioning
• Lead factory and site acceptance testing
• Lead the build, installation, commissioning, and start-up of automated manufacturing systems
• Create and deliver controls documentation packages including sequence of operations, I/O lists, network diagrams, and program documentation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Controls, or related engineering field
• Minimum 6 years of hands-on experience developing and integrating industrial controls and automation systems from scratch
• PLC and HMI programming as core competencies
• Control system architecture design (network topology, I/O distribution, safety systems, multi-platform communication protocols)
• Broad exposure to industrial automation platforms such as robots, material handling systems, CNC machine integration, NDT, assembly, testing, and process tools
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and review electrical and mechanical drawings
• Experience with industrial safety system design including functional safety devices, safety PLCs, and safety-rated circuits
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Core Competencies

Expertise in designing and integrating industrial control systems, including PLC and HMI programming, control system architecture, and safety system design. Proven ability to lead automation projects from concept through commissioning, ensuring seamless integration of various manufacturing technologies.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• PLC Programming
• HMI Programming
• Control System Architecture Design
• Industrial Safety System Design
• Automation System Integration

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Control System Architecture
• PLC Programming
• HMI Programming
• Network Topology Design
• I/O Distribution
• Safety Systems Design
• Multi-Platform Communication Protocols
• Offline Simulation Development
• Online Debugging
• Factory Acceptance Testing

Soft Skills

• Collaboration
• Technical Support
• Leadership

Industry Keywords

• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronics
• Controls Engineering
• Functional Safety Devices

Tools & Technologies

• Automated Manufacturing Equipment
• Industrial Controls
• Robots
• CNC Machines
• Material Handling Systems