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Robert Half • Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Role & seniority: Service & Automation Engineer (mid-level to senior; independent field role)
Stack/tools: PLCs (Siemens, Allen-Bradley), HMI/SCADA, VFDs/servo drives/motion controllers, PLC programming (ladder logic, function blocks, structured text), industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, Profinet), remote diagnostics, electrical schematics and P&ID reading
Serve as primary technical contact; remote troubleshooting and on-site service, commissioning, maintenance, and repairs
PLC programming/troubleshooting; modify, test, and debug programs; optimize control logic
Drive configuration/diagnostics and HMI/SCADA support; configure motion systems; ensure communications with PLCs
Bachelor’s/Master’s in Automation or Electrical Engineering
Hands-on PLC troubleshooting and remote diagnostics
Experience with industrial machinery/ automated systems; read schematics/P&IDs
Independent work style; strong troubleshooting, communication, and customer focus
Experience with multiple equipment types; knowledge across PLCs, HMIs, drives, motors
Language skills beyond English
Participation in continuous improvement, field service documentation
Travel: 25–50% of time (often 1–2 week site visits, occasional longer)
Work model: On-site at customer sites with remote support when possible; includes potential extended trips and remote commissioning/diagnostics
Service & Automation Engineer
Role Overview This position supports customers with technical service needs related to advanced manufacturing equipment and automated production systems. The role focuses on troubleshooting, upgrade support, and automation software commissioning to ensure equipment performance, uptime, and customer satisfaction. You will travel to customer sites and work independently to diagnose and resolve technical issues. Candidates should be self-driven, organized, and comfortable handling service requests both on-site and remotely. Travel may be required on short notice, with service visits typically lasting 1–2 weeks and occasionally longer. When not traveling, you will provide remote support and contribute to continuous improvement of service operations.
Key Responsibilities Customer Support & Service Serve as a primary technical contact for customer inquiries and service requests. Provide remote troubleshooting support using phone, email, and secure remote access tools. Diagnose issues and guide customers through corrective actions. Escalate complex problems to specialized engineering teams when needed. Perform on-site service work such as troubleshooting, commissioning, maintenance, and repairs when remote resolution is not possible.
PLC Programming & Troubleshooting Modify, test, and debug PLC programs across modern and legacy control platforms (examples include Siemens and Allen-Bradley systems). Troubleshoot ladder logic, function blocks, and structured text issues. Optimize control logic for performance, safety, and efficiency. Perform online/offline edits during commissioning or service activities.
Drive Configuration & Diagnostics Configure and troubleshoot VFDs, servo drives, and motion controllers. Set motor parameters, feedback devices, and motion profiles. Diagnose drive faults such as overcurrent, encoder errors, or communication issues. Integrate drives with PLC systems via industrial networks (e.g., EtherNet/IP, Profinet).
HMI / SCADA Support Create or modify operator interface screens including alarms, trends, recipes, and controls. Connect PLC tags to HMI objects and verify communications. Adjust user interfaces based on operator feedback. Troubleshoot display, scripting, or communication issues.
Quality & Continuous Improvement Confirm resolution of service issues and ensure equipment reliability. Provide feedback to engineering teams on recurring problems or improvement opportunities. Document service activities and customer interactions in internal systems.
Collaboration Support spare-parts identification and service quotation activities. Share technical knowledge with internal teams and participate in project discussions.
Qualifications Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field. Hands-on experience with PLC troubleshooting and remote diagnostics. Experience supporting industrial machinery or automated production systems preferred. Strong knowledge of automation and control systems including PLCs, HMIs, drives, and motors. Experience modifying automation software during commissioning or service work. Ability to read electrical schematics and P&ID drawings. Broad technical skill set with the ability to support multiple types of equipment. Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills. Ability to work independently and manage multiple service cases. Strong communication skills with a customer-focused mindset. Additional language skills are a plus. Willingness to travel 25–50% of the time, including occasional extended trips.