Senior Automation/Controls Engineer:

Amaze Systems; Florence (SC); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Amaze Systems in Florence, SC seeks an experienced Senior Automation Engineer to lead design, development, and deployment of advanced automation and controls for manufacturing operations.

You will guide PLC architecture, robot programming, HMI, motion control, and cybersecurity, driving factory modernization and productivity gains while mentoring the team through project lifecycles. This role requires 8+ years of hands-on leadership in high-volume environments.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing automation, controls engineering, robotics integration.
• Proven track record leading automation capital projects from concept to production.
• Expertise in PLC programming, robot programming, machine safety, and factory networking.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and deployment of automation and controls systems for manufacturing.
• Serve as SME for PLC architecture, HMI, motion control, robotics, and cyber security.
• Drive IIoT/Industry 4.0 initiatives and data-driven manufacturing improvements.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and manage supplier engagements for automation projects.
• Oversee RFQ, supplier evaluation, FAT/SAT, and final acceptance activities.
• Mentor engineers and technicians in automation and troubleshooting.
• Improve OEE, downtime, throughput, and yield through robotics and tooling upgrades.
• Support product introductions with process automation and production readiness.

Skills

PLC controls

HMI development

Industrial robotics

Machine integration

Digital manufacturing technologies

Robot programming

Robot Studio

Roboguide

PLC integration

Vision systems

Robotics controls troubleshooting

Networking basics

Tools

Robot Studio

Roboguide

PLC programming

HMI development

Machine safety standards

Job description

Role Type-Full Time/Contract

Location -Florence, SC

Skill

• PLC controls, HMI development, industrial robotics, machine integration, digital manufacturing technologies


• Robotics online teaching, Robot programming, Robot Studio, Roboguide, PLC integration, vision systems, robotics controls troubleshooting, PLC programming.

Job Description & Skill Requirement

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of advanced automation and controls systems for manufacturing operations.


• Serve as the subject matter expert for PLC architecture, HMI development, motion control, robotics, industrial networks, and machine safety systems.


• Develop automation strategies supporting factory modernization, capacity expansion, productivity improvement, and operational excellence objectives.


• Lead automation capital projects from concept development, technical specification, and business case approval through commissioning and production stabilization.


• Perform controls architecture design, hardware specification, programming standards development, system validation, and lifecycle support planning.


• Manage industrial robot integration, robot programming, end-of-arm tooling requirements, cell optimization, troubleshooting, and preventative maintenance strategies.


• Coordinate cross-functional teams including Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, IT/OT, Supply Chain, and external automation suppliers.


• Lead equipment procurement activities including RFQ development, supplier evaluations, technical bid reviews, FAT, SAT, and final acceptance activities.


• Establish automation and controls standards across manufacturing operations to improve system reliability, maintainability, cybersecurity, and supportability.


• Drive digital manufacturing initiatives including IIoT connectivity, data collection, machine monitoring, remote diagnostics, and Industry 4.0 technologies.


• Support new product introductions through process automation, assembly equipment development, manufacturing system integration, and production readiness activities.


• Identify productivity improvement opportunities through robotics, vision systems, automated material handling, error-proofing, and equipment modernization.


• Analyze equipment performance metrics and implement corrective actions to improve OEE, downtime reduction, throughput, labor efficiency, and yield.


• Provide technical leadership during equipment installation, startup, debugging, safety validation, commissioning, operator training, and production ramp-up.


• Coach engineers, technicians, and maintenance personnel in automation, robotics, controls troubleshooting, and structured problem-solving best practices.


• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing automation, controls engineering, robotics integration, or industrial equipment development.


• Proven experience leading automation capital projects from concept and technical specification through production implementation.


• Demonstrated expertise in PLC programming, robot programming, machine safety, controls architecture, and manufacturing system integration.


• Experience supporting high-volume or complex industrial manufacturing environments with production-critical equipment.


• Experience managing automation suppliers, system integrators, equipment builders, and technical service partners