Senior Industrial Automation Controls Engineer

What your day could look like

You start the morning reviewing a multi‑million‑dollar automation program with the Director of Engineering. By mid‑day, you are iterating PLC ladder and structured text, refining HMI screens, and adjusting robot paths to shave cycle time without compromising safety. In the afternoon, you sync with Mechanical, Build, Electrical, and Project Management to resolve an integration snag, then coach a junior engineer through a code review. You wrap up by validating safety circuits to RIA and ANSI standards and preparing for a short on‑site startup trip.

Role overview

This high‑impact role owns electrical design, PLC/HMI/robot programming, motion solutions, and safety compliance across the full project life cycle. You independently drive projects from concept through runoff while informally mentoring others. You will report directly to the Director of Engineering.

Key responsibilities

• Design and program PLC logic (ladder and structured text), HMIs, simulations, and robot code that meet cycle time, quality, and safety targets.
• Lead assigned project segments from concept through runoff, maintain task lists, manage budgets, and support on‑site startup.
• Contribute to multiple projects in different phases (design, build, debug, runoff) while staying responsive and organized.
• Apply department coding and electrical standards; recommend incremental improvements to Technical Leads.
• Mentor Level 1‑3 engineers, guide interns and co‑ops, conduct code reviews and debug sessions, and deliver lunch‑and‑learn style knowledge shares.
• Interface cross‑functionally to align scope and resolve integration issues.
• Drive root‑cause analysis on complex debug challenges and escalate when needed.
• Present technical details to customers, clarify specifications, and collaborate with vendors on component selection.
• Travel approximately 10%–20%.
• Champion Our Operating Principles: Actively embody and uphold the ten Operating Principles that guide every action and decision at Axis Automation.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Controls, or related engineering field preferred.

Experience: 5+ years in controls and automation with multiple full project life cycles delivered.

Technical mastery

• Expertise in electrical and pneumatic schematics and safety circuit design.
• Advanced PLC proficiency in ladder logic and structured text, including program execution and troubleshooting.
• Robotics programming experience with at least one major OEM; able to refine paths and optimize cycle time.
• Build and use cell simulations to evaluate collision risks, estimate cycle times, and correlate with shop‑floor performance.
• Motion control competence across VFDs, servos, and auxiliary robot axes.
• Validation of hard‑wired and programmable safety in accordance with RIA and ANSI.
• HMI design experience with common platforms such as FactoryTalk View and Ignition.

Leadership and soft skills

• Provides informal leadership through mentoring, code reviews, and example setting; may act as technical lead on small teams.
• Clear communicator with teams, stakeholders, customers, suppliers, and junior engineers; translates complex topics into actionable plans.
• Recognized go‑to troubleshooter in wiring, controls theory, program execution, and robotics; uses data to drive outcomes.
• Team‑first mindset, shares knowledge freely, supports during crunch periods, and reinforces a culture of mutual support.
• Dependable and self‑directed; meets deadlines, delivers thorough hand‑offs, and upholds quality and safety standards.

Compensation and benefits

Estimated Total Compensation: $100,000-$125,000

Benefits: Axis offers a comprehensive benefits package to our employees with immediate eligibility upon hire.

You should be proficient in

• PLC Troubleshooting Skills
• Electrical Schematics
• Troubleshooting Skills
• Pneumatics Experience
• Troubleshooting Industrial Automation Equipment
• PLC Programming Experience
• PLC Wiring Experience
• Pneumatics Troubleshooting

Machines and technologies you will use

• Variable Frequency Drives (VFD)
• Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)
• HMI
• Servo Motors