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Lead Automation Controls Engineer

Kelly Services
  • Tempe, AZ
    1 day ago
    Kelly Services

    Job Description

    Job Description

    Job Description
    Automation Controls Engineer III
    Location: Tempe AZ
    Travel: 25%–50% (Domestic and International)
    Summary/Objective:
    Are you passionate about complex automation challenges and leading innovative projects? We are seeking an experienced Automation Controls Engineer III to join our growing team. In this advanced role, you will lead the planning, design, programming, and implementation of PLC/HMI and/or PC-based control systems, as well as collaborate on customized solutions for a variety of industries.
    You will balance customer needs, technical execution, and project budgets/schedules, while serving as a technical expert and strong communicator within multidisciplinary teams. Your creativity, leadership, and hands-on expertise will directly shape the success of our automation systems.
    Key Responsibilities:
    • Design and develop cutting-edge control systems based on customer requirements and engineering principles.
    • Interpret client needs, address technical challenges, and deliver solutions on budget and schedule.
    • Program PLCs (Rockwell, Siemens), HMIs, and PC (.Net) applications from start to finish.
    • Develop and test comprehensive software solutions for robotics, vision systems, and machine automation.
    • Lead or participate in system commissioning, troubleshooting, and support both onsite and at customer facilities.
    • Oversee project workflow, set and communicate expectations, and ensure timely, high-quality delivery.
    • Collaborate closely with management, clients, and cross-functional teams for seamless project execution.
    • Support and mentor junior engineers, help onboard new staff, and contribute to continuous improvement of engineering practices and documentation.
    • Stay current with new technologies and industry best practices, introducing innovative solutions to our systems.

    Qualifications and Requirements:
    • BS in an applicable engineering field or equivalent demonstrated experience.
    • 5+ years of professional experience in industrial automation design and development.
    • Demonstrated expertise in PLC/HMI/PC programming and troubleshooting (Rockwell and/or Siemens required).
    • Competency with servo/AC motion control, pneumatic design, industrial robots (Fanuc, UR, ABB), and machine vision systems (e.g., Cognex, Keyence).
    • Experience integrating and commissioning safety and industrial communication systems; familiarity with UL, NFPA, and CE standards.
    • Working knowledge of AutoCAD for design/drafting and MS Office Suite.
    • Excellent communication and presentation skills; capable of leading meetings and representing engineering concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
    • Strong problem-solver who can manage multiple projects concurrently with minimal supervision.
    • Willing and able to travel (25%-50%), including some international assignments.
    • Leadership potential with the ability to contribute to recruitment and training of new team members.
    • Customer-focused, collaborative, self-motivated, and committed to continuous self-improvement.

    Why Join Us?
    • Opportunity to drive impactful projects and shape next-generation automation solutions.
    • Diverse and challenging work with a talented, supportive team.
    • Growth opportunities in both technical and project leadership tracks.
    • Competitive compensation, benefits, and travel opportunities.

    Ready to advance your automation engineering career? Apply today by submitting your resume and a brief cover letter highlighting your most relevant projects and contributions.
    As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

    Why Kelly® Engineering?

    Your engineering skills are in demand, but how do you find the right fit? Easy. At Kelly Engineering, our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. We connect you with leading organizations where you can collaborate on innovative projects, work with cutting-edge technologies and accelerate your growth. Whether you prefer the variety and flexibility of short-term projects or are looking for a long-term opportunity, we’re here to guide you to the next step in your engineering career.


    About Kelly

    Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life-just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

    Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

    Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice.

    Numbers & Facts

    LocationTempe, AZ
    IndustryStaffing/Employment Agencies
    Company Size10,000 employees or more
    Year Founded1946
    Websitehttps://www.mykelly.com/

    About Company

    Finding great work for top talent. 

    Kelly helps companies recruit and manage skilled workers and helps job seekers find great work in industries such as accounting and finance, education, engineering, government, manufacturing and production, technology, and more.

    Since inventing the staffing industry in 1946, we’ve become experts in the many specialties and local and global markets we serve. With a network of suppliers and partners around the world, we connect 450,000+ people with work every year. We ensure companies have the people they need, when and where they’re needed most.

     

    Skills

    • ABB (Asea Brown Boveri)unmatched
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI)unmatched
    • AutoCADunmatched
    • Automationunmatched
    • Automation Engineeringunmatched
    • Automation Systemsunmatched
    • Best Practicesunmatched
    • Budget Managementunmatched
    • Budgetingunmatched
    • Commissioningunmatched
    • Communication Skillsunmatched
    • Communication Systemsunmatched
    • Compensation and Benefitsunmatched
    • Continuous Improvementunmatched
    • Control Systemsunmatched
    • Cross-Functionalunmatched
    • Customer Relationsunmatched
    • Desktop Administrationunmatched
    • Documentationunmatched
    • Federal Governmentunmatched
    • Human Machine Interface (HMI)unmatched
    • Identify Issuesunmatched
    • Industrial Designunmatched
    • Leadershipunmatched
    • Leading Edge Technologyunmatched
    • Mentoringunmatched
    • Microsoft .NETunmatched
    • Microsoft Officeunmatched
    • Motion Controlunmatched
    • Multitaskingunmatched
    • National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)unmatched
    • Presentation/Verbal Skillsunmatched
    • Problem Solving Skillsunmatched
    • Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)unmatched
    • Project Executionunmatched
    • Project Scheduleunmatched
    • Project Trackingunmatched
    • Project/Program Managementunmatched
    • Resolve Customer Issuesunmatched
    • Robotics Softwareunmatched
    • Servomechanismunmatched
    • Team Playerunmatched
    • Technical Deliveryunmatched
    • Test Plan/Scheduleunmatched
    • Time Managementunmatched
    • Willing to Travelunmatched

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