Senior Automation Engineer

Helion; Charleston (WV); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Helion is hiring Senior Automation Engineers in Apple Grove, West Virginia. We’re looking for experienced Level 1 automation engineers to support commissioning, startup, and production readiness at a major greenfield steel manufacturing facility.

You’ll work alongside engineering, maintenance, operations, equipment manufacturers, and integrators to bring complex systems online and resolve the controls issues that stand between equipment installation and reliable production.

Qualifications

• Strong background in Level 1 industrial automation and controls.
• Hands-on PLC programming and troubleshooting experience.
• Experience leading commissioning or startup activities for complex manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to diagnose problems across control logic, electrical systems, and field devices.
• Steel mill or heavy industrial experience is highly valuable.

Responsibilities

• Lead controls troubleshooting and drive technical issues through resolution
• Develop, review, and troubleshoot PLC logic and HMI functionality
• Support integration of VFDs, motor controls, instrumentation, and equipment interfaces
• Execute equipment checkout, functional testing, and commissioning
• Troubleshoot equipment sequences, permissives, interlocks, and process signals
• Coordinate with OEMs and integrators to resolve deficiencies and close punch-list items
• Support equipment turnover, controls documentation, and knowledge transfer to plant teams

Skills

PLC programming

Troubleshooting

Automation commissioning

Industrial controls

Field electrical

Tools

PLC programming software

Job description

Helion is hiring Senior Automation Engineers in Apple Grove, West Virginia.

We’re looking for experienced Level 1 automation engineers to support commissioning, startup, and production readiness at a major greenfield steel manufacturing facility.

You’ll work alongside engineering, maintenance, operations, equipment manufacturers, and integrators to bring complex systems online and resolve the controls issues that stand between equipment installation and reliable production.

What you’ll own:

• Lead controls troubleshooting and drive technical issues through resolution
• Develop, review, and troubleshoot PLC logic and HMI functionality
• Support integration of VFDs, motor controls, instrumentation, and equipment interfaces
• Execute equipment checkout, functional testing, and commissioning
• Troubleshoot equipment sequences, permissives, interlocks, and process signals
• Coordinate with OEMs and integrators to resolve deficiencies and close punch-list items
• Support equipment turnover, controls documentation, and knowledge transfer to plant teams

What we’re looking for:

• A strong background in Level 1 industrial automation and controls
• Hands-on PLC programming and troubleshooting experience
• Experience leading commissioning or startup activities for complex manufacturing equipment
• Ability to diagnose problems across control logic, electrical systems, and field devices
• Confidence working independently and coordinating technical decisions across multiple teams
• Steel mill or comparable heavy industrial experience is highly valuable

This role is a fit for someone who can take ownership in the field, make sound technical decisions, and help move equipment from startup into dependable operation.