ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc.

Senior Control Systems Software Designer

Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 7+ years of experience in industrial automation focusing on PLC-based controls software design.
  • Proficient in originating and structuring PLC programs, safety behaviors, and diagnostics.
  • Ability to deliver software independently across multiple projects with minimal supervision.
  • Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills in PLC/software systems.
  • Excellent communication skills for both technical and customer-facing situations.

Responsibilities

  • Provide technical input into system design solutions that align control strategies with system requirements.
  • Design and implement control software based on customer specifications and ATS programming methods.
  • Perform full system integration at both in-house and customer sites.
  • Collaborate with design, assembly, and management teams to create cohesive automation systems.
  • Manage software scope with awareness of project timelines, budgets, and raise concerns proactively.

Benefits

  • Eligible for Annual Incentive Bonus
  • Stock Purchase Plan
  • 3 Weeks Vacation
  • Health Care Benefits + $600 Health Care Spending Account
  • Employee Engagement Events and Development Programs
Full Job Description
Job Description

Job Details

Total Compensation & Benefits:
  • Pay Rate: $42.3 - $58.17
  • Eligible for Annual Incentive Bonus
  • Stock Purchase Plan
  • 3 Weeks Vacation
  • Health Care Benefits + $600 Health Care Spending Account
  • Employee Engagement Events (Employee BBQ's and lunches, weekly treat day, etc.)
  • Employee Development Programs


High ownership. Deep technical execution. Trusted delivery.

Controls Software Designers on our team create robust, production-ready automation solutions that operate in demanding industrial environments. We work on complex systems where reliability, performance, and execution quality are critical. Designers stay closely connected to system behavior during integration and site installation, using practical experience to refine designs and elevate future solutions.

Our projects support nuclear industries, consumer products, specialized industrial equipment, automotive manufacturing, and other high-performance production environments.

What You'll Do
  • Provide technical input into system concepts and final design solutions, ensuring control strategies align with overall system requirements
  • Design and implement control software (PLC- and/or PC-based) aligned with customer specifications and standard ATS programming methods, including program architecture, sequencing, fault handling, safety control, diagnostics, and recovery strategies.
  • Perform full system integration, both in-house and at customer sites as required. Integrate with motion systems, vision systems, safety devices, lasers, sensors, feeders, printers, and other peripheral equipment.
  • Work cross-functionally with design, assembly, and management teams to deliver cohesive automation systems.
  • Execute work with awareness of project schedules, scope and budget constraints, raising concerns early when technical decisions may impact delivery.


Resonsibilities

How You'll Work
  • Take ownership of assigned software scope and deliver against agreed project loading and milestone commitments.
  • Operate as a self-starter, taking initiative to move work forward and resolve issues with minimal supervision.
  • Support multiple concurrent projects without sacrificing quality or predictability.
  • Accurately track time to project and indirect codes and communicate risks, scope changes, conflicts, or capacity constraints early and consistently.
  • Develop software in compliance with approved engineering procedures, quality requirements, and review practices.


What We're Looking For
  • 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in industrial automation, specializing in controls software design for complex PLC- and robot-based systems.
  • Demonstrated experience originating and structuring PLC programs, including sequencing, safety behavior, diagnostics, and recovery logic.
  • Proven ability to independently deliver software scope across concurrent projects with minimal oversight
  • Strong PLC/software architecture, troubleshooting, and root-cause problem-solving skills.
  • Clear, professional communication in both technical and customer-facing situations.


Nice to Have
  • Post-secondary Engineering Degree or Diploma (Electrical, Automation, Systems, Computer Engineering, or equivalent).
  • Familiarity with industrial network architectures, including VLAN segmentation, managed switches, and PLC-based Ethernet networks (PROFINET / EtherNet/IP)
  • Hands-on experience with:
    • Rockwell Automation (Studio 5000, ControlLogix, GuardLogix, FactoryTalk)
    • Siemens (TIA Portal, S7-1500, PROFINET / PROFIBUS, distributed safety)


What Success Looks Like
  • Software programs are clean, well structured, maintainable, and purpose-built
  • Integration issues are anticipated and addressed early
  • Software behaves predictably across normal operation, fault conditions, and recovery
  • Technical decisions balance quality, schedule, and practical constraints
  • Work is delivered on schedule and within project budget expectations
  • Your input is trusted by project teams


The compensation offered will be based on the local job market and may vary depending on factors such as the job-related knowledge, skills, experience of the selected candidate, as well as other objective business considerations. Subject to these considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, such as an annual cash incentive in addition to a full range of medical, retirement, and/or other benefits. Details of these benefits will be provided when the selected job candidate receives an offer of employment.

This role represents an existing vacancy within the organization.

The ATS applicant tracking system may utilize AI software with pre-defined, rule-based filters to organize and manage application materials. Rule-based filters operate solely on fixed criteria and do not perform autonomous evaluation or generate independent recommendations. All hiring decisions continue to involve human review and judgment.

If you're excited about this role, but do not meet all the qualifications listed above, you are still encouraged to apply.

About ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc.

ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. is a Canadian company that designs and builds factory automation systems. The company was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Cambridge, Ontario. ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. operates through four segments: Automation Systems Group, Life Sciences, Renewable Energy and IT. The company provides custom automation solutions to a variety of industries, including automotive, consumer products, electronics, energy, healthcare, and others. ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. has operations in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Learn more about ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc.
Size
5,000 employees
Industry

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