Controls & Automation Engineer

Job Description

Sigil Partners is seeking an experienced Controls & Automation Engineer to design, develop, implement, and support industrial automation and control systems for manufacturing operations. This individual will collaborate with engineering, production, maintenance, quality, and technology teams to improve equipment reliability, operational efficiency, product quality, and workplace safety.

The ideal candidate will bring hands-on experience with PLC programming, HMI and SCADA systems, industrial controls, robotics, and automated manufacturing equipment. This is a remote position within the United States that may require periodic travel to manufacturing facilities, integrator locations, suppliers, or customer sites for installation, commissioning, and troubleshooting activities.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, program, test, and maintain industrial automation and control systems
• Develop and modify PLC, HMI, SCADA, motion-control, and robotic applications
• Create and review control-system architectures, electrical schematics, panel layouts, network diagrams, and technical specifications
• Integrate sensors, actuators, motors, drives, instrumentation, robots, machine-vision systems, and safety devices
• Support automated equipment installation, validation, commissioning, and production startup
• Troubleshoot control-system failures, equipment downtime, communication issues, and process-performance problems
• Perform root-cause analyses and implement corrective and preventive actions
• Collaborate with manufacturing, electrical, mechanical, process, quality, maintenance, and IT/OT teams
• Identify and implement automation opportunities that improve safety, quality, throughput, reliability, and cost performance
• Maintain control-system documentation, source-code backups, change records, operating procedures, and technical reports
• Ensure automation solutions comply with applicable electrical, machinery-safety, cybersecurity, and regulatory requirements
• Work with equipment manufacturers, system integrators, suppliers, and contractors to deliver automation projects
• Provide technical support and training to production, engineering, and maintenance personnel

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related discipline
• 3+ years of professional controls, automation, or industrial engineering experience
• Hands-on experience programming PLC platforms such as Rockwell Automation/Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Mitsubishi, or similar systems
• Experience developing and supporting HMI or SCADA applications
• Knowledge of industrial electrical systems, control panels, sensors, instrumentation, motors, variable-frequency drives, and servo systems
• Experience with industrial communication protocols and networks such as EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus TCP, OPC UA, or similar technologies
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, process diagrams, and technical specifications
• Experience troubleshooting automated manufacturing equipment and production systems
• Understanding of machine-safety principles and applicable standards
• Strong analytical, project-management, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with remote and on-site teams
• Ability to travel periodically to manufacturing facilities, supplier locations, or customer sites

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience programming and integrating industrial robots from manufacturers such as FANUC, ABB, KUKA, or Yaskawa
• Experience with machine-vision systems, automated inspection, motion control, or advanced process controls
• Familiarity with manufacturing execution systems, historians, databases, and production-data integration
• Experience connecting automation systems with MES, ERP, cloud, or Industrial Internet of Things platforms
• Knowledge of OT cybersecurity practices, network segmentation, access controls, and industrial-system hardening
• Familiarity with NFPA 70, NFPA 70E, NFPA 79, UL 508A, IEC 61508, ISO 13849, or related standards
• Experience with lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or Six Sigma methodologies
• Professional certification from ISA, TÜV, Rockwell Automation, Siemens, or another relevant organization