Automation Engineer – Custom Robotics Programming (25–50% Travel)

Automation Engineer – Custom Robotics Programming (25–50% Travel)

• 2+ years of PLC/HMI programming experience and the ability to build complex logic from the ground up is a requirement
• Successful candidates will manage a 25%–50% travel schedule, acting as the primary technical lead during on-site system start-ups and custom robotic integrations across the country
• Highly competitive pay ranging from $75,000 – $110,000 (Openings available at Junior, Mid, and Senior levels)
• Must be a United States citizen or Green Card holder
• No remote work available as you will collaborate with the team onsite when not in the field
• Full-time, permanent W-2 employee with health, dental, vision, and Simple IRA match
• Significant holiday bonus/profit-sharing checks are traditionally distributed
• Located in the Germantown, Wisconsin area

This full-time, permanent Automation Engineer – Custom Robotics Programming career opportunity is with a dynamic, fast-growing controls partner that has been doubling in size annually. This is not a "pigeon-hole" environment; you will never be stuck doing the same repetitive task. Every project is a unique, custom solution—ranging from massive software integration projects to complex conveyor sortation, robotic welding, and servo-driven motion systems. The company culture is built on professional respect and flexibility; for example, when production deadlines require weekend travel, the company ensures you are "made whole" with immediate comp days to enjoy four-day weekends. If you are an engineer who loves technology, enjoys seeing your code bring a machine to life on the shop floor, and values being a name rather than a number, this is the perfect environment to grow your career.

Duties and responsibilities of the successful candidate will include the following:

• Develop PLC and HMI programs from scratch for a wide array of custom automation solutions, including robotic cells, conveyor systems, and specialized testing equipment
• Engineer sophisticated user interfaces utilizing Factory Talk, Visual Studio, and potentially C# for advanced software integration
• Read and edit electrical schematics in AutoCAD, ensuring all panel designs meet BOM requirements and safety standards
• Implement industrial networking and safety protocols, including Ethernet IP, Servo Motion, Vision Systems, and Safety Controllers (NEC/OSHA compliant)
• Serve as the lead technical authority during on-site start-ups, traveling to customer facilities to oversee installation and final troubleshooting of custom machinery

The background of the successful candidate must include the following to be considered for this position:

• 2+ years of professional experience in PLC programming (Rockwell/Allen-Bradley RS500/RS5000) and HMI development
• Proven ability to write code from scratch, rather than just performing modifications on existing programs
• A bachelor’s or associate degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
• Experience with Servo Motion, Motion Controllers, and Vision Systems is highly preferred; C# or SQL database experience is a major plus
• A solid, stable work history consisting of at least three years at prior employers
• The willingness and ability to travel domestically 25% to 50% for system implementations
• Being a US citizen or Green Card holder with a residence within a 45-minute drive of the Germantown, WI area