Senior Controls Engineer

Wegner CPAs Client Recruiting Services; Verona (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Verona, Wisconsin-based automation company is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to own robot and PLC programming for custom automation equipment. You will program FANUC robots, troubleshoot PLCs in Siemens TIA Portal, and collaborate with mechanical and electrical engineers to ensure controls integration.

Travel to customer sites and FATs are expected as projects grow. This role offers hands-on ownership from concept to commissioning, with opportunities to influence standards and mentor junior

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience programming robots and PLCs in custom machinery, automation, or industrial systems.
• Hands-on FANUC robot programming experience.
• Siemens PLC programming experience preferred; Allen-Bradley experience is also valuable.
• Experience commissioning equipment at customer facilities and troubleshooting until the machine is running successfully.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and troubleshoot electrical systems using a meter.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Willingness to travel approximately 10–30%, depending on project demands.

Responsibilities

• Program FANUC robots using the teach pendant.
• Develop, troubleshoot, and debug PLC programs, primarily using Siemens TIA Portal.
• Collaborate with mechanical and electrical engineers during the design process to ensure machines are designed for effective controls integration.
• Partner with the software engineer responsible for HMI and machine data, owning the robot and PLC side of the integration.
• Power up, debug, test, and commission machines on the shop floor.
• Test and validate machine safety systems.
• Lead factory acceptance testing (FAT) with customers.
• Travel to customer facilities to install and commission equipment and train operators.
• Lead controls efforts on projects and manage smaller projects from start to finish.
• Establish and maintain controls programming standards.
• Mentor and train additional robot programmers as the team continues to grow.

Skills

Robot & PLC programming

FANUC robot programming

Siemens PLC programming

Allen-Bradley PLC programming

Electrical schematics

Travel willingness 10–30%

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering/Robotics/Mechatronics or related

Tools

FANUC robots

Siemens TIA Portal

Allen-Bradley PLCs

HMI integration tools

Job description

Senior Controls Engineer – Robotics & Automation

Verona, WI | $90,000–$130,000 | Full-Time | Onsite

Build it. Program it. Bring it to life.

Are you the kind of engineer who would rather be on the manufacturing floor bringing a machine to life than sitting in meetings talking about it? Do you enjoy solving complex automation challenges, programming robots, and seeing your work make an immediate impact?

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Controls Engineer to join a growing, privately held automation and machine-building company in Verona, Wisconsin.

This isn't a role where you'll write code and hand it off to someone else. You'll own the controls side of custom automation projects from initial programming and development through debugging, testing, customer acceptance, and installation. You'll see your work go from a blank program to a fully functioning machine producing parts in a customer's facility.

The company is a FANUC Authorized Systems Integrator and A3 Certified Robot Integrator, with mechanical design, machining, assembly, controls, and machine runoff all happening under one roof.

Why this opportunity stands out:

• Own your work: Take ownership of robot and PLC programming from concept through commissioning.

• See the results: Work on custom-built machines and watch your programming come to life on the manufacturing floor.

• Make an impact: Have a voice in technical standards, processes, and the future growth of the controls team.

• Work with great people: Join a collaborative, positive, team-oriented environment where people support one another and take pride in their work.

• Enjoy autonomy: Get clear objectives, the tools you need, and the freedom to determine how to get the job done.

• Build something lasting: Join a privately held company focused on quality, long-term customer relationships, and doing things the right way.

What You'll Be Doing

You'll be the technical owner of robot and PLC programming for custom automation equipment.

• Program FANUC robots using the teach pendant.

• Develop, troubleshoot, and debug PLC programs, primarily using Siemens TIA Portal.

• Collaborate with mechanical and electrical engineers during the design process to ensure machines are designed for effective controls integration.

• Partner with the software engineer responsible for HMI and machine data, owning the robot and PLC side of the integration.

• Power up, debug, test, and commission machines on the shop floor.

• Test and validate machine safety systems.

• Lead factory acceptance testing (FAT) with customers.

• Travel to customer facilities to install and commission equipment and train operators.

• Lead controls efforts on projects and manage smaller projects from start to finish.

• Establish and maintain controls programming standards.

• Mentor and train additional robot programmers as the team continues to grow.

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of experience programming robots and PLCs in custom machinery, automation, or industrial systems.

• Hands-on FANUC robot programming experience.

• Siemens PLC programming experience preferred; Allen-Bradley experience is also valuable.

• Experience commissioning equipment at customer facilities and troubleshooting until the machine is running successfully.

• Ability to read electrical schematics and troubleshoot electrical systems using a meter.

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent hands-on experience.

• Willingness to travel approximately 10–30%, depending on project demands.

Experience That Will Set You Apart

• Experience with both Siemens and Allen-Bradley platforms.

• FANUC certifications and experience with options such as iRVision.

• Safety PLCs and machine safety validation.

• Servo systems and motion control.

• Machine vision technology.

• Festo pneumatics.

• Previous experience working for an automation integrator or custom machine builder.

The Kind of Person Who Thrives Here

Technical skills matter, but so does attitude. Custom automation can be challenging, and the right person approaches those challenges with energy and determination.

You're someone who:

• Stays optimistic when a machine doesn't cooperate and enjoys figuring out why.

• Takes ownership, makes decisions, and keeps projects moving forward.

• Puts the team and the mission ahead of individual recognition.

• Takes pride in craftsmanship, quality, and finishing what you start.

• Prefers hands-on problem-solving over unnecessary meetings.

• Values a clean organized workspace and takes pride in doing things right.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $90,000–$130,000, depending on experience.

• 401(k) with employer matching.

• Health insurance.

• Paid time off.

• Relocation assistance may be available.

Location: Verona, Wisconsin (onsite)

Job Type: Full-time

Ready to Build Something Great?

If you're an experienced robotics and controls professional looking for more ownership, more variety, and the opportunity to see your work come to life, we'd love to connect.

This is an opportunity to do meaningful engineering work, work alongside a talented team, and help shape the future of a growing automation company.