Overview

The Automation Engineer (Software Engineer) plays a critical role in supporting and advancing industrial manufacturing operations. This position is responsible for maintaining, enhancing, and innovating Level II automation and control systems while ensuring safe, reliable, and optimized plant performance.

The ideal candidate combines a strong engineering foundation with software development expertise and understands how industrial control systems interact directly with physical machinery and production processes. Multiple hires may be made, with assignments based on experience and operational needs.

Safety is fundamental to this role. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to lead and uphold safety policies, procedures, and operational standards at all times.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform maintenance, programming, troubleshooting, and upgrades on Level II automation systems
• Design and implement software solutions that support and optimize industrial manufacturing processes
• Develop and enhance applications using modern programming frameworks
• Analyze production challenges and implement innovative automation or optimization solutions
• Support integration across multiple layers of the Purdue Enterprise Reference Architecture (control through enterprise systems)
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, and engineering teams to improve system performance and reliability
• Ensure compliance with all safety standards and best practices

Minimum Qualifications

• Strong understanding of fundamental control theory
• 2+ years of experience in an industrial controls, automation, or related engineering role
• Hands-on experience working with machinery-integrated control systems
• Willingness to work weekends, holidays, and scheduled or unscheduled overtime as operationally required

Preferred Qualifications

• Mechanical Engineering (ME), Engineering, Applied Science, or related technical background
• Experience as an engineer or scientist who transitioned into software engineering
• Industrial automation communications experience (e.g., Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Profibus)
• Strong programming experience in .NET and SQL from a development perspective most important
• Experience with C#, JSON, XML, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and/or Python
• Experience with mathematical modeling, optimization, or simulation in a manufacturing environment
• Ability to design or build advanced automation, optimization, or simulation systems
• Experience working across multiple layers of the Purdue Reference Model

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Strong systems thinker with the ability to bridge engineering principles and software development
• Understands how industrial control systems interact with mechanical equipment and real-world production constraints
• Analytical mindset with experience in mathematical modeling or process optimization
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, heavy industrial manufacturing environments