Senior Automation & Controls Engineer

Strama-MPS U.S. Inc.; Duncan (SC); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance with employer-paid

Dental and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid company holidays

Professional training

International collaboration

Job summary

Strama-MPS U.S. Inc. in Duncan, South Carolina seeks a Senior Automation & Controls Engineer to design, program, integrate and commission controls for complex industrial equipment.

You will own assigned controls scopes from engineering through customer acceptance, collaborating with a global engineering team. The role emphasizes PLC programming (Siemens, Beckhoff, or Allen-Bradley), safety systems, drives, and motion control, with up to 50% travel to support projects and customers in North

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical/Automation/Mechatronics or related field.
• Seven+ years of professional experience in automation and controls engineering.
• Strong hands-on experience with one of PLC platforms listed (TIA Portal/STEP7, TwinCAT, Studio 5000/RSLogix).
• Strong knowledge of HMI, motion control, drives and industrial networks.
• Knowledge of ISO 13849 and IEC 62061 in safety applications.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement PLC, HMI and motion control applications for complex equipment.
• Develop machine sequences, interlocks, diagnostics and fault recovery routines.
• Prepare and review controls and software documentation with version control.
• Coordinate safety validation and risk-reduction measures per standards.
• Lead controls project teams and mentor engineers.
• Support sales during quotation by defining controls concepts and estimating engineering effort.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI systems

Motion control

Industrial networks

Safety interlocks

Electrical schematics

Project leadership

English communication

Education

Degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics or related field

Tools

Siemens TIA Portal / STEP 7

Beckhoff TwinCAT

Allen-Bradley Studio 5000 / RSLogix

Job description

Strama-MPS is an internationally operating company. With dedicated teams for sales, mechanical, electrical and software engineering, project management, manufacturing, assembly and service, Strama-MPS is a full-service provider for a broad and sophisticated portfolio in automation technology, e-mobility, body-in-white systems, machining centers, test systems and industrial automation. Strama-MPS is part of STRAMAGROUP, an internationally operating corporate group that employs more than 1,500 people worldwide.

To support our North American growth strategy, we are looking for an experienced Senior Automation & Controls Engineer to join our Engineering team in Duncan, South Carolina. The role focuses on the development, programming, integration and commissioning of controls and automation systems for complex industrial equipment, with technical responsibility for assigned controls scopes from engineering through final customer acceptance.

What Can You Expect From Us?

• A key engineering position supporting Strama-MPS’s continued growth in North America
• A high degree of technical autonomy, ownership and responsibility
• The opportunity to work on complex industrial automation systems from engineering through commissioning and final customer acceptance
• Hands-on involvement in PLC programming, controls integration, troubleshooting and commissioning
• Direct collaboration with customers, project teams and technical experts
• Access to Strama-MPS’s international engineering, manufacturing and automation capabilities
• A dynamic, international work environment with short decision-making paths and a hands-on culture

The Following Responsibilities Will Be Part of Your Role:

PLC Programming & Software Development

• Develop and implement PLC, HMI and motion control applications for complex industrial equipment
• Develop machine sequences, interlocks, automatic and manual operating modes, diagnostics and fault recovery routines
• Develop reusable software modules and standardized programming structures
• Apply internal programming standards and adapt flexibly to different customer-specific standards
• Prepare and review controls and software documentation and ensure consistent version control

Functional Safety

• Develop, validate and troubleshoot safety-related control applications using safety PLCs and safety devices (e.g., Siemens F-CPU, Allen-Bradley GuardLogix, Beckhoff TwinSAFE), including emergency stops, safety gates, light curtains, area scanners and safe operating modes
• Perform and coordinate safety validation, risk-reduction measures, functional testing and documentation in accordance with applicable standards, including ISO 13849 and IEC 62061

Drives, Motion Control & Integration

• Configure, program, commission and troubleshoot variable-frequency drives, servo drives and motion-control systems (e.g., Siemens SINAMICS, SEW-EURODRIVE, Allen-Bradley PowerFlex, Beckhoff servo systems with TwinCAT motion)
• Integrate drives, sensors, actuators, vision systems and automation components via PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT and other industrial networks
• Optimize drive parameters, motion sequences, positioning, synchronization and diagnostics

Commissioning & Customer Support

• Perform system integration, testing, start-up and commissioning, and resolve complex controls and automation issues at customer sites
• Lead controls activities during installation, commissioning, ramp-up and final acceptance
• Serve as a technical point of contact for customers within assigned controls scopes

Project Execution & Technical Leadership

• Assume technical ownership of assigned controls scopes from engineering through final customer acceptance
• Lead controls project teams consisting of internal and external programmers, and coach less experienced engineers, including during customer-site activities
• Coordinate controls activities with mechanical, electrical, machine safety and project teams
• Review controls concepts, electrical schematics and engineering documentation, identify technical risks early and independently develop effective solutions
• Support the sales team during the quotation phase by developing controls concepts and estimating the associated engineering effort based on customer requirements

Your Skills!

Required:

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
• Seven or more years of professional experience in automation and controls engineering
• Strong hands-on experience with at least one of the following PLC platforms: Siemens TIA Portal / STEP 7, Beckhoff TwinCAT, or Allen-Bradley Studio 5000 / RSLogix
• Strong knowledge of HMI systems, motion control, drives and industrial networks
• Solid understanding of machine safety systems, safety interlocks, safe operating concepts and applicable standards such as ISO 13849 and IEC 62061
• Ability to read electrical schematics and experience commissioning and troubleshooting industrial automation systems
• Ability to independently manage complex technical assignments
• Ability to lead controls project teams, including internal and external programmers, without direct personnel responsibility
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills
• Willingness to travel up to 50% based on project and customer requirements

Preferred:

• Experience with industrial robots such as FANUC, ABB or KUKA
• Experience with vision systems
• Automotive manufacturing experience (e.g., body-in-white, assembly, material handling or conveyor systems), including familiarity with customer-specific automation standards
• Experience with multiple controls platforms and automation technologies

What We Can Offer You!

• Competitive hourly compensation
• Paid company holidays
• Medical insurance with 100% employer-paid premiums
• Dental and vision insurance options
• Employer-paid group life and AD&D insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution
• Professional training, education and development support
• International collaboration, short decision-making paths and a hands-on company culture

Interested?

We look forward to receiving your online application and learning more about how your experience in automation and controls engineering, PLC programming, commissioning and technical problem-solving can contribute to Strama-MPS’s continued growth in North America.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Strama-MPS U.S. Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to any status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

This posting provides a general description of the position and does not create an employment contract. Employment with Strama-MPS U.S. Inc. is at will, subject to applicable law. Compensation and benefits are subject to eligibility requirements, applicable plan documents, company policies and individual employment terms.