Robotics and Vision Systems Controls Engineer

At Automation Solutions, we believe meaningful automation marries precise control with elegant integration. In this role, you’ll help design, program, commission, and support custom systems that unite PLCs, motion, robotics, and machine vision—transforming concepts into dependable production assets.

Your Impact

From blueprint to buyoff, you’ll shepherd systems through design, programming, testing, installation, and post-delivery support. You’ll work primarily in our Birmingham facility and spend about 25% of your time at customer sites to commission equipment, troubleshoot issues, train users, and sustain reliable operation.

How You’ll Contribute

Team & Customer Collaboration

• Coordinate daily with the Controls Engineering Manager; accept project guidance from leadership and peers.
• Collaborate across sales, project management, controls, mechanical, fabrication, and installation functions.
• Engage directly with customers to clarify expectations, address technical questions, and resolve problems.
• Provide technical direction during panel build, system wiring, assembly, and installation activities.
• Communicate project status, risks, and support needs with clarity and urgency.

Controls Architecture & Integration

• Engineer and troubleshoot electromechanical control systems for automated equipment.
• Develop, modify, and debug PLC and HMI applications (ladder logic and related control software).
• Commission PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servo motion, robots, vision systems, and industrial communications.
• Interpret specifications and electrical drawings; contribute updates to electrical documentation.
• Execute hands-on integration, modification, and repair of robotic, mechanical, electrical, and controls hardware.
• Plan and run test protocols and factory/site runoffs to confirm contract and customer requirements.
• Inspect for quality and verify compliance with safety requirements and electrical codes.
• Drive root-cause analysis and implement corrective actions that stick.

Commissioning & Field Service

• Support equipment assembly, testing, commissioning, and installation.
• Travel ~25% for installs, startups, troubleshooting, training, and post-delivery service; some trips require overnights.
• Use electrical test instruments, hand tools, and power tools to complete assignments.
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, modify, and repair electromechanical controls on-site and in-house.
• Assist production startup and quickly resolve controls issues during commissioning.
• Record code changes, troubleshooting steps, work completed, and final configurations.
• Perform quality checks on panels, field wiring, and installed equipment.
• Represent Automation Solutions with professionalism and customer focus.

Workplace Standards

• Keep work areas clean, organized, and safe; support overall shop housekeeping.
• Follow company safety procedures; wear required PPE.
• Operate safely around energized electrical systems, industrial machinery, robots, and automated equipment.

What You Bring

Education

• Preferred: Associate in Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, Industrial Automation, or related field.
• Preferred: Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related discipline.
• Relevant industrial controls experience may substitute for formal education.

Experience

• 2–4 years in controls programming or equivalent industrial controls roles.
• Demonstrated PLC/HMI development experience, including ladder logic.
• Exposure to PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servo/motion, industrial robots, machine vision, and industrial networks.
• Proficiency reading electrical drawing sets.
• Hands-on integration, modification, troubleshooting, and repair of industrial control systems.
• Preferred: Support for custom machinery, automated manufacturing systems, or robotics.
• Preferred: Creating/revising electrical drawings.
• Preferred: Commissioning, installation, startup, or field service.

Skills & Mindset

• Strong controls troubleshooting and analytical thinking.
• Excellent computer and technical software acumen; strong communicator (written and verbal).
• Experience with Allen-Bradley, Omron, Siemens, GE, or comparable PLC platforms.
• Comfort diagnosing electrical, mechanical, software, networking, and system-integration issues.
• Clear, customer-ready communication with engineers, technicians, and stakeholders.
• Organized, self-motivated, dependable; able to juggle multiple priorities.
• Team-oriented yet effective independently; diligent documentation.
• Hands-on approach in both shop and field environments.

Travel & Site Requirements

• ~25% travel based on project and customer needs; frequency and duration vary.
• Comfort working at industrial/manufacturing sites while meeting customer safety/access requirements.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

Physical Requirements

• Lift/carry up to 50 pounds.
• Stand for extended periods.
• Bend, reach, climb, kneel; perform hands-on tasks around industrial equipment.
• Operate electrical test gear, hand tools, and power tools.
• Work safely near automated machinery, robotics, electrical equipment, and industrial processes.
• Wear required PPE.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Why Join Automation Solutions

• Work on diverse, custom automation and robotics—no routine maintenance grind.
• Be part of the full journey: concept through programming, testing, commissioning, installation, and ongoing support.
• Expand skills across PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, motion, robotics, vision, and networking.
• Collaborate with seasoned engineers, technicians, and fabricators.
• Help solve real manufacturing problems and watch your designs run in production.
• Stable, full-time role with growth and professional development opportunities.

Pre-Employment & Equal Opportunity

• Ability to pass applicable background checks.
• Ability to pass pre-employment and random drug screenings.
• Ability to comply with company and customer safety requirements.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment.

Automation Solutions and Livingston & Haven consider all qualified applicants without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, religion, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Preferred Proficiencies

• PLC Troubleshooting Skills
• Bachelor's Degree
• Electrical Schematics
• Troubleshooting Skills
• Machine Building/Assembling
• Single and Three Phase Power
• 120/208/240/480 Voltage Systems
• CAD Software
• Industrial Robot Programming
• Electrical Installation
• Troubleshooting Industrial Automation Equipment
• PLC Programming Experience
• SCADA Experience
• Programming Machine Vision Systems
• Electrical / Electronic Systems
• Pneumatics Troubleshooting
• Field Service Readiness
• Industrial Electrical Systems
• Electrical Schematic Reading
• Equipment Installation & Wiring

Machines & Technologies You’ll Use

• Variable Frequency Drives (VFD)
• CAD Software (AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor)
• Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) (Fanuc, Allen Bradley, Omron, Siemens)
• Vision System (Keyence, Cognex, Omron, Banner)
• Servo Motors
• Industrial Robot (Fanuc, Kuka, ABB, Yaskawa Motoman, Universal Robotics, Nachi, Epson, Kawasaki)