Senior Automation Engineer: PLC, Robotics & Modernization

Katalyst-Healthcares-; Florence (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Creative Solutions Services, LLC is seeking an experienced automation leader to design, develop, and deploy sophisticated automation and control systems for our manufacturing operations in the United States. The role requires serving as SME across PLCs, HMI, motion control, robotics, and safety systems, while driving modernization strategies to improve capacity and reliability.

You will lead capital projects from concept to production, mentor teams, and collaborate with Operations, Maintenance,

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.
• Expertise in PLC programming, robot programming, machine safety, and manufacturing system integration.
• Experience in high-volume or complex industrial environments with production-critical equipment.
• Experience managing automation suppliers, system integrators, and technical service partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and deployment of automation and controls systems for manufacturing operations.
• Serve as SME for PLC architecture, HMI, motion control, robotics, and machine safety systems.
• Drive digital manufacturing initiatives including IIoT connectivity and Industry 4.0 technologies.
• Lead automation capital projects from concept through commissioning and ramp-up.
• Coach engineers and technicians in automation, robotics, and problem-solving best practices.

Skills

Robotics programming

PLC programming

Controls architecture

Education

Bachelors in Electrical/Controls Engineering

Tools

Rockwell/Allen-Bradley

Job description

Responsibilities:

• 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.

Requirements:

• 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.

External Skills and Expertise:

• Industrial Robotics Programming.
• Advanced PLC Programming and Controls Architecture using Rockwell/Allen-Bradley platforms.