Senior Field Commissioning Engineer – PLCs, Robotics & Automation

Software Placement Group; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Premium corporate benefits package

Job summary

Software Placement Group in Milwaukee, WI seeks a Senior Field Commissioning Engineer to own complex automated machinery from shop floor debugging to customer site run-off worldwide. You will lead internal commissioning, validate multi-axis robotic platforms, and troubleshoot PLC logic across Allen-Bradley and Siemens systems.

Travel 50–80% to customer sites across North America; reside within daily commuting distance of Milwaukee; requires U.S.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience commissioning, troubleshooting, and integrating custom industrial automated machinery and multi-axis robotics.
• Strong diagnostic capabilities in PLC logic troubleshooting, I/O tracing, and basic logic modifications (Allen-Bradley Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal).
• Ability to read, interpret, and trace complex electrical layouts, mechanical drawings, and fluid power schematics.

Responsibilities

• Direct internal commissioning, live-wire debug, and I/O validation of custom automated systems before shop floor release.
• Validate multi-axis robotic platforms from scratch, including calibrations, network setups, and EOAT checks.
• Perform real-time troubleshooting across PLC logic, servo drives, vision systems, pneumatics, and safety interlocks.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Reading electrical drawings

Travel readiness

Education

AS/BS in Electrical Engineering

AS/BS in Robotics

Mechatronics background

Tools

Allen-Bradley Studio 5000

Siemens TIA Portal

FANUC robotics

KUKA robotics

Yaskawa robotics

Job description

Location: Milwaukee, WI | Schedule: Full-time, First Shift, hybrid (shop floor debug plus field travel) | Compensation: Up to $59.00/hour base + overtime potential

Overview

A long-established, family-owned OEM manufacturer specializing in custom automated assembly, high-speed material handling, and robotic welding cells for Tier-1 global clients is seeking a Senior Field Commissioning Engineer. In this role, you will own complex automated machinery through its full lifecycle, from internal plant debug and calibration at the Milwaukee-area facility to final customer site run-off and sign-off worldwide.

What you'll do

• Direct internal commissioning, live-wire debug, and I/O validation of custom automated systems before shop floor release
• Validate advanced multi-axis robotic platforms from scratch, including initial electrical/mechanical calibrations, communication network setups, and end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) checks
• Perform real-time, high-level troubleshooting across complex PLC logic architectures, servo drives, vision systems, pneumatic circuits, and safety interlocks
• Lead onsite equipment installations, manage technical run-offs at global client facilities, and train customer engineering and maintenance personnel
• Partner with mechanical design engineers, project managers, and shop floor build teams to rapidly isolate hardware, software, or mechanical bugs
• Track daily operational testing hours, manage active engineering open-issue lists, and submit detailed field progress logs to project stakeholders

Required qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience commissioning, troubleshooting, and integrating custom industrial automated machinery and multi-axis robotics
• Strong diagnostic capabilities in PLC logic troubleshooting, I/O tracing, and basic logic modifications (Allen-Bradley Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal)
• Ability to confidently read, interpret, and trace complex electrical layouts, mechanical assembly drawings, and fluid power schematics
• Complete willingness and ability to travel 50% to 80% to customer production sites across North America and select international destinations
• Must reside within daily commuting distance of the Greater Milwaukee area
• Valid driver's license
• U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder (Lawful Permanent Resident) with valid passport eligibility

Preferred qualifications

• Associate (A.S.) or Bachelor's (B.S.) Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Robotics Engineering preferred (equivalent hands-on experience fully valued)
• Advanced path teaching, payload configuration, and communication setup experience with FANUC, ABB, KUKA, or Yaskawa robotic arms
• Practical setup and calibration experience with Cognex, Keyence, or integrated 2D/3D vision platforms
• Associate or Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or Automation Technology

Compensation and benefits

• Up to $59.00/hour starting base rate, commensurate with robotics and controls depth
• Overtime earning potential
• Premium corporate benefits package

Why this role

This position offers the chance to directly drive multi-million dollar capital equipment projects with an organization that combines the high-trust, collaborative feel of a close-knit team with the market power and financial stability of a global leader, free of rigid corporate bureaucracy.