Junior Automation & Controls Engineer - Custom Machines

Job Description

Job Description

Symbrium is looking for a  Junior Automation & Controls Engineer who wants to do more than sit behind a desk and maintain somebody else's existing product.

We design and build one-of-a-kind machinery, automated test systems, and custom industrial equipment for aerospace, defense, research, and manufacturing customers.

Our engineers work on the entire machine.

You may help develop a control system, program a PLC, integrate sensors and instrumentation, troubleshoot a drive, test a machine on our floor, and later help commission that same system at a customer's facility.

For an engineer early in their career, this is an opportunity to learn a very broad range of real-world engineering.

What You Will Do

Working with experienced engineers and technicians, you will help develop controls and automation systems for custom machinery and test equipment.

Typical work includes:

• Developing and modifying PLC programs
• Creating HMI screens and operator interfaces
• Developing machine sequences, interlocks, alarms, and control logic
• Integrating sensors, instrumentation, data-acquisition systems, motors, VFDs, and servos
• Assisting with electrical control-system and panel design
• Selecting controls and instrumentation hardware
• Configuring industrial communications and networks
• Participating in machine wiring, assembly, checkout, and startup
• Troubleshooting electrical, controls, instrumentation, and communications problems
• Working alongside mechanical, electrical, and software engineers during system integration
• Testing complete machines and automated systems
• Supporting installation and commissioning at customer facilities
• Preparing drawings, software documentation, operating procedures, and technical records

As your experience grows, you will take increasing responsibility for complete machine-control systems and participate directly in customer design reviews and technical discussions.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for an early-career engineer with a strong technical foundation who genuinely enjoys machinery, automation, and figuring out how things work.

You should have:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a closely related engineering field
• Strong interest in automation, machinery, instrumentation, or industrial controls
• Basic understanding of electrical circuits, motors, sensors, and control systems
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting ability
• Mechanical aptitude and willingness to work hands-on
• Ability to communicate clearly and work with a multidisciplinary engineering team
• Curiosity and willingness to learn unfamiliar technologies
• Willingness to travel occasionally for equipment installation and commissioning
• Authorization to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship

Symbrium does not provide employment visa sponsorship for this position.

Experience That Will Get Our Attention

You do  not need to already know all of these technologies.

Experience with any of the following is useful:

• Allen-Bradley / Rockwell PLCs
• Siemens PLCs
• HMI programming
• Variable-frequency drives
• Servo motion systems
• Industrial Ethernet
• Sensors and instrumentation
• Data-acquisition systems
• Machine vision
• Electrical CAD
• Control-panel design
• C#, C++, Python, or similar programming languages

We also place considerable value on hands-on experience outside the classroom.

That might include:

• Engineering internships or co-op programs
• Formula SAE
• Robotics teams
• Laboratory equipment
• Senior design projects
• Machine building
• CNC equipment
• Electronics projects
• Cars, motorcycles, machinery, or other serious personal technical projects

If you have actually built, wired, programmed, repaired, or automated something, we want to hear about it.

This Is Not a Typical Entry-Level Engineering Job

Many new engineers enter positions where they spend several years working on a small piece of an established product. That is not how Symbrium operates.

Most of our projects are one-of-a-kind systems. Our equipment routinely combines:

• Mechanical systems
• Electric motors and drives
• High-speed rotating equipment
• Instrumentation
• Sensors
• Data acquisition
• PLC controls
• Industrial communications
• Software
• Automated testing

Because the projects are different, you will continually encounter new engineering problems.

You will see machines progress from concept through design, assembly, programming, debugging, testing, and final commissioning.

That breadth of exposure is difficult to get in a large engineering organization.

You May Be a Good Fit If

You:

• Like understanding how things actually work
• Enjoy solving problems without predetermined answers
• Are comfortable getting out from behind a computer
• Want to work around real machinery and equipment
• Ask questions when you do not understand something
• Learn quickly
• Take ownership of your work
• Enjoy working with engineers, technicians, machinists, and programmers
• Get satisfaction from seeing something you helped design actually operate

We do not expect a new engineer to arrive knowing everything.

We do expect intelligence, curiosity, initiative, and a genuine desire to become a very capable engineer.

About Symbrium

Symbrium designs and builds highly engineered custom test systems, manufacturing equipment, and automation systems.

Our work spans mechanical engineering, controls, instrumentation, data acquisition, software, automation, and machine design.

Because we are a small engineering organization, engineers have substantial involvement in the systems they develop and the opportunity to take on meaningful responsibility early in their careers.

Symbrium is an equal opportunity employer.