Senior Automation Engineer

Judge Direct Placement; Russellville (AR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Judge Direct Placement seeks an experienced Automation/Controls Engineer to lead projects from concept through startup, ensuring reliable production performance.

You will develop and implement automation, electrical, and instrumentation improvements, train staff, and uphold safety, process safety, and regulatory requirements while driving continuous reliability across operations in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• 5-8 years PLC experience in manufacturing settings.
• Experience in highly regulated environments with quality and safety compliance.
• Background in manufacturing, automation, or process engineering.
• Strong verbal and written communication for cross-functional teams.
• Ability to read electrical schematics, control drawings, and process diagrams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills focused on reliability.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support for automation systems and plant facilities.
• Lead automation and controls projects from concept to startup.
• Develop and deliver training programs to build technical capability.
• Maintain and improve industrial control systems and automation platforms.
• Collaborate across operations, maintenance, engineering, and leadership.
• Support preventive and predictive maintenance strategies.
• Identify equipment lifecycle and obsolescence risks; plan replacements.
• Ensure compliance with electrical, process safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Promote safety culture and document standards.
• Communicate with stakeholders and document project records.

Skills

PLC experience

Regulated manufacturing

Cross-functional engagement

Strong communication

Troubleshooting complex equipment

Documentation interpretation

Continuous improvement mindset

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Tools

HMIs

Servo systems

VFDs

Sensors

Process control equipment

Job description

Responsibilities:

• Provide technical support for automation systems, manufacturing operations, and facility infrastructure to ensure reliable production performance.
• Lead and execute automation and controls projects from concept development through implementation and startup.
• Establish, prioritize, and manage automation, electrical, and instrumentation improvement initiatives in partnership with production, maintenance, engineering, and leadership teams.
• Develop and deliver training programs to enhance technical capabilities and support workforce development.
• Maintain and improve industrial control systems, automation platforms, and related technologies to support operational excellence.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement, equipment reliability, and process optimization initiatives.
• Support preventive and predictive maintenance strategies to maximize equipment uptime and performance.
• Identify and address equipment lifecycle and obsolescence challenges by developing long-term replacement and modernization plans.
• Ensure compliance with applicable electrical, process safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Promote a strong safety culture by modeling and reinforcing safe work practices.
• Maintain accurate documentation, project records, and technical standards.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders across operations, maintenance, engineering, and management teams.
• Participate in troubleshooting efforts to resolve complex equipment and process issues.
• Provide occasional after-hours support for critical manufacturing operations, system upgrades, or emergency situations.

Requirements:

• 5-8 years PLC experience
• Experience supporting highly regulated manufacturing environments, including industries governed by stringent quality, safety, and compliance requirements.
• Background in manufacturing, automation, process engineering, or related industrial operations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively engage cross-functional teams and leadership stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to apply engineering and technical principles to troubleshoot complex equipment, process, and system challenges.
• Ability to interpret and work from technical documentation, including electrical schematics, control drawings, equipment manuals, process flow diagrams, and instrumentation documentation.
• Solid understanding of electrical, electronic, and industrial control system fundamentals.
• Hands-on experience with industrial automation technologies, including human-machine interfaces (HMIs), servo systems, variable frequency drives (VFDs), sensors, instrumentation, and process control equipment.
• Experience with PLC-based control systems and manufacturing automation platforms is preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on continuous improvement and operational reliability.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and standard business software tools.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced production environment while maintaining attention to detail.