Senior Automation/Controls Engineer with PLC,HMI

People Consultancy Services (PCS); Florence (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

People Consultancy Services (PCS) seeks an experienced Automation & Controls Engineer to design, develop, and deploy advanced manufacturing automation. Lead PLC, robot programming, HMI, and safety systems across cross-functional teams in a high-volume setting.

The role focuses on modernization, capacity expansion, and production readiness, with responsibility for capital projects from concept to commissioning and ramp-up. On-site opportunity in Florence, SC for an industry leader.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing automation, controls engineering, robotics integration, or industrial equipment development.
• Proven experience leading automation capital projects from concept through production implementation.
• Demonstrated expertise in PLC programming, robot programming, machine safety, and manufacturing system integration.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of advanced automation and controls systems for manufacturing operations.
• Serve as SME for PLC, HMI, motion control, robotics, networks, and machine safety systems.
• Develop automation strategies for factory modernization, capacity expansion, productivity, and operational excellence.
• Lead automation capital projects from concept to commissioning and production stabilization.
• Perform controls architecture design, hardware specification, programming standards, validation, and lifecycle planning.
• Manage robot integration, tooling requirements, cell optimization, troubleshooting, and preventive maintenance.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, IT/OT, Supply Chain, and external suppliers.
• Lead equipment procurement activities including RFQ development, supplier evaluations, technical bid reviews, FAT, SAT, and acceptance.
• Establish automation and controls standards to improve reliability, maintainability, cybersecurity, and supportability.
• Drive digital manufacturing initiatives including IIoT connectivity, data collection, monitoring, remote diagnostics, and Industry 4.0.
• Support new product introductions through process automation, equipment development, system integration, and production readiness.
• Identify productivity opportunities through robotics, vision systems, materials handling, error-proofing, and modernization.
• Analyze equipment performance metrics and implement corrective actions to improve OEE, downtime, throughput, and yield.
• Provide technical leadership during installation, startup, debugging, safety validation, commissioning, and ramp-up.
• Coach engineers, technicians, and maintenance personnel in automation and structured problem solving.

Skills

PLC programming

Robot programming

HMI development

Motion control

Industrial networks

Machine safety

Automation project leadership

Cross-functional coordination

Job description

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

Pay Rate – $Best/hr or Full Time

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