Senior Automation & Controls Engineer

Job Title: Senior Automation & Controls Engineer

Location (City, State): Forney, TX

Assignment Type: Direct Hire

Pay: $125-140K

Work Schedule: Full-Time | Monday–Friday

Benefits: This position is eligible for medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).

About The Company:

Our client is a growing manufacturer focused on advanced production technologies and highly automated operations. They are seeking a Senior Automation & Controls Engineer to provide technical leadership for automation systems and support continuous improvement efforts across the facility.

Job Description:

The Senior Automation & Controls Engineer will serve as the primary technical resource for automated manufacturing systems, including controls, robotics, vision technology, and material handling equipment. This individual will lead automation initiatives, support production operations, troubleshoot complex equipment issues, and drive process optimization efforts to improve reliability, safety, and efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead automation projects including system design, startup, validation, and ongoing optimization.
• Support manufacturing operations by improving equipment reliability, performance, and productivity.
• Serve as the site expert for PLCs, robotics, vision systems, and automated material handling technologies.
• Conduct risk assessments and failure analysis to identify improvement opportunities.
• Troubleshoot and resolve controls-related equipment issues to minimize downtime.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, electrical schematics, and operating procedures.
• Ensure automation systems comply with safety, quality, and industry standards.
• Collaborate with vendors, suppliers, and engineering teams on equipment upgrades and new installations.
• Participate in factory and site acceptance testing activities.
• Establish and maintain controls standards and best practices across the facility.
• Support integration efforts between manufacturing equipment and business systems.
• Maintain accurate programming, configuration, and revision records.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field; equivalent experience considered.
• Minimum 8 years of automation and controls experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience with PLC programming, HMI development, and industrial control systems.
• Strong troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience reading and creating electrical schematics and control drawings.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Willingness to travel up to 30%.

Additional Details:

• Experience supporting highly automated production equipment and robotic systems.
• Knowledge of Siemens PLC platforms and industrial controls hardware.
• Familiarity with industrial robotics, machine vision systems, and automated guided vehicles (AGVs).
• Experience integrating manufacturing technologies such as SCADA, MES, quality, maintenance, and warehouse management systems.
• Background in battery manufacturing, automotive, medical device, power generation, or other high-volume manufacturing environments preferred.
• Master's degree, PE license, battery management systems (BMS) experience, and industrial cybersecurity knowledge are considered strong advantages.

Perks:

• Opportunity to work with advanced automation and robotics technologies.
• High-impact role supporting large-scale manufacturing operations.
• Collaborative engineering environment with strong growth potential.
• Exposure to cutting-edge manufacturing systems and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Career advancement opportunities within a rapidly expanding organization.