Senior Automation Engineer

Senior Automation Engineer - Permanent - Chicago, IL - $120,000 - $130,000

The final salary or hourly wage, as applicable, paid to each candidate/applicant for this position is ultimately dependent on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's/applicant's qualifications, skills, and level of experience as well as the geographical location of the position.

The end client is unable to sponsor or transfer visas for this position; all parties authorized to work in the US without sponsorship are encouraged to apply.

Our client is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer in Chicago, IL.

Role Description

This role provides advanced technical leadership for PLC, HMI and SCADA platforms, coordinates automation priorities and project execution, supports production reliability, and guides junior automation resources and external integrators.
Responsibilities
Lead the design, programming, implementation and troubleshooting of control systems including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA platforms, motion controls, sensors, drives and industrial networks.
Manage and coordinate automation projects, ensuring that scope, workload, timelines, deadlines and deliverables are clearly defined and routinely monitored.
Monitor performance against expectations and track work plan progress through structured work updates, progress check-ins and project status reporting.
Lead advanced troubleshooting and root cause analysis for automation issues impacting production, quality, safety or equipment availability.
Drive the redevelopment and modernization of legacy SCADA software using the Ignition Automation platform.
Define, execute and maintain PLC data backup, software versioning and recovery practices across production equipment.
Conduct system integration, testing, debugging, commissioning and startup activities to ensure functionality, reliability and maintainability.
Develop, modify and maintain control system documentation, software backups, technical standards and troubleshooting guides.
Provide technical direction, feedback and coaching to junior automation technicians and support collaboration with maintenance and production teams.
Support preventive maintenance planning by ensuring automation-related PM tasks, backups and controls checks are in place and effective.
Ensure compliance with company safety standards, electrical codes, automation standards and applicable regulations.
Be available, on a rotation, to be on call during nights and weekends in case of critical automation issues in the factory.
Other duties as assigned.
Key Projects
SCADA modernization program: redevelopment of legacy SCADA applications and migration to the Ignition Automation platform.
PLC data backup program: standardization of PLC backups, version control, recovery procedures and change traceability.
Automation performance management: monitoring of project progress, system performance, workload, timelines and deadlines.
Production support and continuous improvement: advanced troubleshooting, process improvement and technical support for manufacturing operations.

Skills & Requirements

7-10+ years of industrial automation experience within high-volume manufacturing environments, preferably fast-paced, continuous production operations with responsibility for automation reliability and production support.
Advanced PLC, HMI, and SCADA expertise, including PLC programming and troubleshooting (Siemens, Omron, Allen Bradley/Rockwell), HMI platforms, controls integration, commissioning, startup, and root cause analysis.
Strong SCADA modernization experience, including redevelopment of legacy systems and hands-on experience with Ignition Automation, Movicon, Citect, and WinCC platforms.
Automation leadership and project management experience, including leading automation initiatives, coordinating priorities across production, maintenance, engineering, and vendors, while mentoring junior automation resources and managing timelines and deliverables.
Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Controls Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation, Mechatronics, or a related technical field preferred.
Qualifications
Associate Degree or Bachelor Degree in Controls Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation, Mechatronics or a related technical field preferred.
Strong experience with SCADA systems including , Movicon, Citect, WinCC and Ignition Automation.
Strong PLC programming experience, ideally Siemens, Omron and Allen Bradley / Rockwell.
Strong HMI experience including Weintek, WinCC Advanced, WinCC Flexible, Pro-face and Omron.
Experience with drives configuration, industrial communication networks, system integration, commissioning and troubleshooting.
Demonstrated project management experience and ability to coordinate priorities with production, maintenance, engineering and vendors.
Soft Skills
Strong leadership and technical decision-making skills.
Excellent problem-solving and analytical abilities.
Strong communication skills with production, maintenance, engineering and management stakeholders.
Ability to manage time, priorities, workload and project deadlines.
Process improvement mindset and focus on system reliability.
Works effectively in a collaborative team environment and supports the development of junior resources.

Benefits/Other Compensation

This position is a contract/temporary role where Hays offers you the opportunity to enroll in full medical benefits, dental benefits, vision benefits, 401K and Life Insurance ($20,000 benefit).

Why Hays?

You will be working with a professional recruiter who has intimate knowledge of the industry and market trends. Your Hays recruiter will lead you through a thorough screening process in order to understand your skills, experience, needs, and drivers. You will also get support on resume writing, interview tips, and career planning, so when there's a position you really want, you're fully prepared to get it.

Nervous about an upcoming interview? Unsure how to write a new resume?

Visit the Hays Career Advice section to learn top tips to help you stand out from the crowd when job hunting.

Hays is committed to building a thriving culture of diversity that embraces people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better we serve our candidates, clients, and employees. We are an equal employment opportunity employer, and we comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, HIV-positive status, as well as any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. One of Hays' guiding principles is 'do the right thing'.
We also believe that actions speak louder than words.
In that regard, we train our staff on ensuring inclusivity throughout the entire recruitment process and counsel our clients on these principles. If you have any questions about Hays or any of our processes, please contact us.

In accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law protecting qualified individuals with known disabilities, Hays will attempt to reasonably accommodate those individuals unless doing so would create an undue hardship on the company. Any qualified applicant or consultant with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job should call or text .

Drug testing may be required; please contact a recruiter for more information.

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