Senior Automation & Controls EngineerWe're looking for a
Senior Automation & Controls Engineer who can turn challenging machining applications into safe, reliable, automated production systems.
If you have deep experience designing, programming, integrating, and deploying robotic CNC machine-tending cells-and enjoy taking ownership from initial concept through production launch-we want to hear from you.
Turn Automation Concepts Into Reliable ProductionAs a
Senior Automation & Controls Engineer, you'll take ownership of automation projects that bring together CNC machines, industrial robots, controls, workholding, material handling, inspection equipment, and safety systems.
This is a hands-on engineering role. You'll work across the complete automation lifecycle-from requirements and system architecture through programming, integration, commissioning, troubleshooting, and production ramp-up.
You'll collaborate closely with Manufacturing, CNC Programming, Mechanical Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and equipment suppliers to improve throughput, reduce manual handling, and expand unattended machining capability.
This position requires substantial, directly relevant experience designing and deploying industrial automation systems. Candidates should be prepared to discuss automation projects they have personally taken from concept through successful production.What the Job Looks Like- A new part family needs automated loading-you assess feasibility, develop the cell concept, and define tooling, controls, and performance requirements.
- A robot needs to communicate reliably with a CNC machine-you develop and validate machine-ready signals, door sequencing, clamping confirmation, cycle initiation, and fault recovery.
- An unattended machining cell stops intermittently-you diagnose the interaction between the robot, CNC, controls, sensors, and process and implement a durable solution.
- A new automation system is ready for production-you lead acceptance testing, validate safety and performance, document the system, and train the team.
- An existing cell needs greater capacity-you improve robot motion, machine coordination, changeover, material flow, and recovery sequences.
- A production challenge involving chips, coolant, part seating, tool wear, or interrupted cycles threatens unattended operation-you engineer the process to handle the real manufacturing environment.
What You'll Do Here- Own automation projects from requirements and concept development through design, programming, commissioning, production ramp-up, and continuous improvement.
- Develop system architectures, equipment specifications, I/O lists, operating sequences, and project cost and schedule estimates.
- Program and troubleshoot industrial robots, PLCs, HMIs, safety controllers, and connected equipment.
- Integrate CNC controls with robots and peripheral equipment through machine interfaces and industrial communication networks.
- Collaborate on end-of-arm tooling, grippers, part presentation, zero-point workholding, pneumatic and hydraulic actuation, and part-presence verification.
- Develop robust operating sequences for loading, unloading, orientation, clamping, inspection, reject handling, and fault recovery.
- Solve practical automation challenges involving chips, coolant, seating contamination, part variation, tool wear, and interrupted cycles.
- Develop electrical and pneumatic schematics, select controls hardware, and coordinate panel construction and installation.
- Lead robot-cell risk assessments and implement appropriate guarding, interlocks, emergency stops, and safety logic.
- Conduct factory and site acceptance testing against safety, cycle-time, quality, uptime, and unattended-runtime requirements.
- Establish reusable programming standards, version control, backups, technical documentation, and maintenance procedures.
- Troubleshoot automation and controls issues and implement sustainable corrective solutions.
- Mentor engineers and technicians and provide technical guidance across automation projects.
- Manage technical supplier relationships and train Production and Maintenance personnel on deployed systems.
What You'll Bring- At least 7 years of relevant industrial automation and controls engineering experience; 10+ years preferred.
- Substantial experience designing and deploying robotic CNC machine-tending systems, including multiple installations taken from concept through sustained production.
- Advanced PLC and HMI programming skills, including sequencing, diagnostics, alarms, and recovery logic.
- Strong hands-on programming experience with at least one major industrial robot platform such as FANUC, ABB, Yaskawa, KUKA, or Universal Robots.
- Experience with industrial controls platforms such as Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Beckhoff.
- Practical understanding of CNC machining, machine-control interfaces, G-code/M-code interactions, tooling, fixturing, and production workflows.
- Experience with industrial networking, electrical troubleshooting, sensors, actuators, servo systems, and pneumatic equipment.
- Demonstrated ability to implement and validate machine and robot safety systems.
- Strong project ownership and the ability to drive technical projects from concept through production.
- Strong technical communication, documentation, and cross-functional problem-solving skills.
Additional Experience We Value- Automated tending of 5-axis machining centers, multi-machine cells, pallet systems, or high-mix production environments.
- Zero-point workholding, automated fixture actuation, and rapid changeover.
- Vision-guided robotics, probing, automated inspection, and part traceability.
- Offline robot programming, simulation, and reach or collision studies.
- Python, C#, C++, or other programming languages used for equipment integration or production-data collection.
- Demonstrated improvements in unattended runtime, throughput, changeover time, or overall equipment effectiveness.
Education & Technical Background- Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Automation, Controls, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a closely related discipline.
- An associate degree or comparable formal technical education combined with advanced robotics and controls training and substantial relevant experience may also qualify.
- Formal coursework or technical training in robotics, industrial automation, PLC programming, and control systems.
Who This Role Is Ideal For- Senior Automation or Controls Engineers who want ownership beyond PLC programming alone.
- Robotics Engineers with significant experience integrating robots directly with CNC equipment.
- Automation professionals who have personally commissioned and launched machine-tending cells into production.
- Engineers who enjoy working equally at the workstation and on the manufacturing floor.
- Technical leaders who can design a system, program it, troubleshoot it, commission it, and teach others how to support it.
- Automation professionals who understand that a successful cell must be reliable and maintainable in production, not simply functional during acceptance testing.
Why You'll Love Working With Us- Competitive compensation with performance-based bonus opportunities
- 100% company-paid medical coverage available for employees
- Company-paid life and disability insurance
- 401(k) with up to a 5% company match
- Generous paid time off and paid holidays
- Technical training and meaningful opportunities for professional advancement
- Direct influence over automation strategy and manufacturing performance
- A collaborative, hands-on manufacturing environment where your engineering decisions become real production systems
Ready to Build Automation That Actually Runs Production?This is more than designing controls or programming robots. It's an opportunity to own complex automation systems from concept through sustained production and directly influence how 5th Axis manufactures.
If you've built and deployed robotic CNC automation, understand what it takes to achieve reliable unattended machining, and want the opportunity to take technical ownership of challenging automation projects, we want to hear from you.
Apply with your résumé and be prepared to tell us about the machine-tending systems you've delivered, the technologies you used, the challenges you solved, and the results you achieved.
Pay Range: $145,000 - $180,000 per year
