Sr. Industrial Automation Electrician

Job Description

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Industrial Automation Electrician to serve as a Team Lead in our shop environment. In this role, you will take ownership of the electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and controls build of automation equipment from start to finish. You will lead a team of technicians, provide hands-on guidance and training, and serve as the primary point of accountability for on-time delivery and build quality. You will work closely with Controls Hardware Designers to resolve technical issues, refine designs, and drive continuous improvement across cost, quality, and efficiency. This role reports to the Shop Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end electrical and controls build of industrial automation equipment, ensuring completion on time and in accordance with customer specifications

• Direct, mentor, and oversee a team of electricians and technicians, providing daily task assignments, training, and hands-on support

• Install, wire, and assemble electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and controls components including panels, conduit, cable tray, sensors, drives, and other automation hardware

• Build and support hydraulic systems including assembly, plumbing, and troubleshooting of hydraulic circuits and components

• Support the integration and wiring of conveyors, vision systems, industrial robots, servo motors, and safety devices including light curtains and area scanners

• Connect, wire, and perform basic checkout of PLC and HMI systems in coordination with the controls engineering team

• Oversee all equipment tagging, labeling, and safety placard installation to ensure compliance with customer requirements and applicable standards

• Develop and execute routing and mounting strategies for machines and full plant layout installations

• Read and interpret electrical schematics, pneumatic and hydraulic diagrams, and mechanical drawings to guide build activities

• Ensure all work is performed in compliance with applicable industrial codes and standards

• Track and report build progress, time to completion, and open issues or risks to project management on a regular basis

• Partner with Controls Hardware Designers to identify and resolve technical issues, recommend design improvements, reduce build costs, and improve overall quality

• Perform quality checks throughout the build process to verify workmanship meets company and customer standards

• Coordinate with project management and other departments to maintain schedule awareness and flag potential delays early

• Overtime and weekend work required as needed to meet project deadlines

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in industrial electrical work, with a focus on automation equipment build and assembly

• Demonstrated experience leading or supervising a team of electricians or technicians in a shop or manufacturing environment

• Strong working knowledge of industrial codes and standards

• Proficiency reading and interpreting electrical schematics, pneumatic and hydraulic diagrams, and wiring drawings

• Hands-on experience with panel wiring, conduit installation, cable management, and controls component assembly

• Experience with hydraulic system assembly, plumbing, and troubleshooting

• Familiarity with conveyors, vision systems, robots, servo motors, and safety devices (light curtains, area scanners, e-stops, safety relays)

• Working knowledge of PLC and HMI systems at a wiring, connection, and basic checkout level

• Experience developing routing and mounting strategies for complex machines and plant-wide installations

• Solid understanding of pneumatic systems and components

• Experience overseeing equipment tagging, labeling, and safety placard programs

• Strong communication skills with the ability to report status and issues clearly to project management

• Ability to manage competing priorities and keep a team focused and on schedule

• Willingness to travel to plant sites as required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working directly with engineering or design teams to improve build processes

• Prior experience in a custom automation integrator or machine builder environment & familiarity with Allen-Bradley or Siemens PLC platforms at a wiring and I/O checkout level

SAI Systems is a Metro Detroit-based staffing firm founded in 2008. Connecting top talent with the companies that need them most.

Company Description

SAI Systems is a Metro Detroit-based staffing firm founded in 2008. Connecting top talent with the companies that need them most.