Industrial Automation Controls Engineer

Industrial Automation Controls Engineer This position in is Mooresville, NC just north of Charlotte, NC.This position is on-site, not remote or hybridIST Precision Inc. is a machine design and automation company in Mooresville, North Carolina. We have our own dedicated controls, machine design, fabrication and assembly teams. We are seeking a full-time automation controls team lead to support our growing automation group.The controls team lead will oversee a diverse range of projects across industries like telecom and life science. This role differs from traditional industrial controls integration by emphasizing early-stage research and development, as well as full machine commissioning. The lead will manage a team of controls engineers, requiring a strong engineering background, proven project management skills, and expertise in Allen-Bradley PLCs, safety PLCs, HMI development as well as preferably robotics, and machine vision. Effective communication and complex system troubleshooting skills are essential.The Controls Engineer Lead will direct a team in developing, delegating, and architecting control code using state diagrams. They will emphasize proficiency in code development and avoid reliance on legacy templates. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in mechanical or electrical engineering, with experience in PLC programming, HMI development and preferably machine vision, as well as industrial robotics. They should also be an adept problem-solver, capable of effectively supporting debug and development of novel machines beyond standard build-to-print projects.The role requires a highly motivated engineer with a strong foundation in industrial automation. The ideal candidate should have a proven track record of leading and integrating automation systems, including robotics, pick-and-place, feeder systems, machine vision, and assembly automation machines.The controls team lead will collaborate with team members, project management, and leadership to deliver integrated solutions. A Bachelors degree in electrical or mechanical engineering and 15+ years of industrial automation experience are essential. The candidate will be required to report on experimental findings in early-stage R&D phases and on fully developed automation machines. Strong leadership, management, communication, and interpersonal skills are crucial, as well as the ability to work independently and as part of a team.Responsibilities· Lead Automation Team: Oversee a team to develop semi-automated and fully automated systems.· Early-Stage Controls R&D: Lead efforts in early-stage R&D activities to de-risk advanced engineering controls concepts.· Controls Development and Team Leadership: Directly develop controls code while effectively leading a team of controls engineers.· PLC and HMI Programming: Develop Allen-Bradley PLC based on our framework· Machine Vision: Lead efforts machine vision applications.· HMI Development: Develop HMI applications from the ground up based on our framework· Controls Documentation: Develop controls narratives and machine state diagrams with machine design leads.· Cross-Functional Collaboration: Effectively communicate with other team leads and management.· System Design: Size and specify motors, actuators, sensors, vision systems, and other automation peripherals.· Troubleshooting: Demonstrate effective troubleshooting skills.· Field Support and Commissioning: Provide field support to commission machines and assist in regular maintenance service contracts.· Vendor Collaboration: Work with external suppliers.· Process Improvement: Assist in refining processes, procedures, and best practices for the controls team.· Mechanical and Electrical Assembly: Assist in mechanical and electrical machine assemblies.· Travel: Up to 10-15% travel for commissioning projects outside of Mooresville, NC.· Field Support Management: Effectively manage field support requests from customers.Minimum Required Experience:Education: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical EngineeringExperience:15+ years of experience developing PLC and HMI interfaces from the ground up3+ years of experience developing robotic code with certificationsDemonstrated leadership role at a previous companyTechnical Skills:Experience with a variety of automation technologies, including robotics, vision systems, PLCs, HMIs, safety I/O, and various motors and sensorsProficiency in troubleshooting automated equipmentSoft Skills:Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skillsExcellent written and verbal communication skillsSelf-starter with the ability to work independently and as part of a teamAdditional Qualifications:Experience programming systems with 5+ devicesField startup and commissioning experienceKnowledge of safety and supplementary protectionKnowledge of variable frequency drives and motor sizing for applicationsPreferred Experience:· PLC and Automation Experience: Direct experience with Allen Bradley and Siemens. Experience with automation direct, Beckhoff, and other controller manufacturers is a plus.· Robotics: Fanuc Robotics programming experience· Machine Vision Knowledge: Good understanding of machine vision lighting and optical specifications· Regulatory Compliance: Understanding of CE, NFPA 79, and SEMI S8 compliance· Electrical Engineering: Knowledge in sizing wire, breakers, transformers, etc.· Programming Skills: Experience developing structured text programming, including C/C++ (a plus, not required)· Power Distribution and Electrical Panels: Knowledge of power distribution and electrical machine panels, including VFDs, motors, safety sensors, air distribution, and pneumatics.We are now accepting resumes for a full-time position. Competitive salary and benefits package will depend on skill level and educational background. To be considered, please email your resume, unofficial transcript, and optional cover letter as a PDF or Word file.Benefits:401(k)401(k) matchingDental insuranceHealth insurancePaid time offVision insuranceGeographical RegionMooresville, NC is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Located just 45 minutes north of Charlotte, Mooresville is a vibrant community. The town is growing and is also a great place for outdoor enthusiasts, with miles of trails, lake Norman access, and rivers to explore. The Blue Ridge Mountains and the coast are both within easy driving distance, making Mooresville a great place to live if you enjoy the outdoors. If youre looking for a place to live that offers a great balance of work, life, and play, Mooresville, NC is the perfect place for you.We are now accepting resumes for a full-time position. Competitive salary and benefits package will depend on skill level and educational background. To be considered, please email your resume, unofficial transcript, and optional cover letter as a PDF or Word file.Follow us on linkedin to review our industry as well as review a few recent articles.negotiable and dependent upon skill level and years' experience.Job Type: Full-time

Created: 2025-02-26