Sr. Automation Engineer

Simply Driven Executive Search; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Premiere Automation in Charleston is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer who designs, builds and optimizes robotized systems and controls for industrial automation. You will architect the solutions that run tests, lead technical teams, and partner with clients to deliver complex projects.

The role requires hands-on PLC/HMI/SCADA expertise, disciplined problem solving, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of technical consulting or project implementation experience.
• Experience managing technical resources, vendors, or contractors.
• Strong knowledge of industrial control systems, PLC, HMI/SCADA.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Participate in design reviews, technical workshops, and project planning with clients and stakeholders.
• Support project startups, commissioning activities, system testing, and customer acceptance.
• Contribute to technical proposals, statements of work, project estimates, and customer presentations.
• Forecast manpower requirements for current and future projects, including subcontractors.
• Identify competency gaps and support development of training plans.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, efficiency, and standardization.
• Serve as a technical resource for problem-solving and project optimization.

Skills

Problem solving

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field

Tools

TIA Portal

SIMATIC S7 PLCs

WinCC HMI/SCADA

Studio 5000 Logix Designer

RSLogix 5000

ControlLogix / CompactLogix PLCs

FactoryTalk View SE/ME

Job description

Our client designs, deploys, installs, maintains and upgrades production lines, robotized cells, power and control solutions for automation that gives clients confidence. We are reaching the highest level as a global supplier of robotized systems and controls solutions for industrial automation. Premiere Automation operates within all major sectors of engineering, delivering complex projects with a proven blend of creativity, confidence and control.

We are looking for a dynamic Senior Automation Engineer who is an engineer at heart and an automation champion by choice—someone who doesn't just execute tests but architects the systems that run them. The ideal candidate is autonomous, self-motivated, and pro-active, capable of embedded delivery in a fast-paced environment while scaling our core automation framework.

You will serve as the primary technical expert for assigned projects, providing consultation on software, controls, automation systems, manufacturing processes, system architecture, and technology integration. The candidate will provide technical leadership during implementation for programmers and will provide support to management or sales on future projects. This role combines advanced technical knowledge with operational oversight and consultation with leadership on project-related topics.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participate in design reviews, technical workshops, and project planning sessions with clients and internal stakeholders.
• Support project startups, commissioning activities, system testing, and customer acceptance procedures.
• Contribute to technical proposals, statements of work, project estimates, and customer presentations.
• Assist in forecasting manpower requirements for current and future projects, including subcontractors, consultants, and temporary technical resources.
• Identify competency gaps within the organization and support the development of training plans to address technical skill requirements.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, efficiency, standardization, and operational effectiveness.
• Serve as a technical resource to internal teams, clients, and stakeholders for problem-solving and project optimization.

Travel

• Able to travel domestically and internationally as needed to support client projects and site implementations

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
• 5+ years of technical consulting or project implementation experience.
• Experience managing technical resources, vendors, or contractors, preferred
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and client expectations in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable working cross-functionally with internal teams, vendors, and clients.
• Strong knowledge of industrial control systems, PLC programming, HMI/SCADA platforms, industrial networks, and system integration methodologies.
• Hands-on experience with automation platforms, including: TIA Portal, SIMATIC S7 PLCs (S7-1200, S7-1500), WinCC HMI/SCADA, Studio 5000 Logix Designer, RSLogix 5000, ControlLogix and CompactLogix PLCs, FactoryTalk View SE/ME