Senior Automation Controls Engineer

Union Technologies • Dallas, TX

2d • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a Senior / Lead Automation Engineer to architect, implement, and continuously refine full‑scale automation solutions across our advanced manufacturing operations. You will own the automation roadmap—from concept and capital justification through deployment, ramp, and lifecycle optimization—driving safety, productivity, and quality at enterprise scale.

Requirements

• B.S. in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, or Controls Engineering (M.S. preferred).
• 10+ years progressive experience in automation, robotics, or advanced manufacturing; 5+ years in a lead or staff‑level role.
• Expert in at least one major robot platform (Fanuc, ABB, KUKA, Yaskawa) and one PLC family (Allen‑Bradley, Siemens).
• Strong grasp of OT networking (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, OPC UA) and MES/SCADA integration.
• Proven leadership of cross‑functional teams and external integrators.
• Excellent communication skills—able to translate technical detail into business impact for executives and investors.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in defense or aerospace manufacturing environments (AS9100, ITAR).
• Familiarity with metal forging manufacturing, machine vision, or AI‑driven process control .
• PMP or equivalent project‑management certification.

Responsibilities

• Automation Strategy & Roadmap
• Define multi‑year automation vision aligned with business objectives and CapEx plans.
• Prioritize high‑impact projects using ROI, risk, and throughput models.
• Present strategic proposals to executive leadership and investors.
• System Design & Integration
• Lead end‑to-end design of robotic cells (e.g., Fanuc, ABB, KUKA) and custom machines for welding, machining, material handling, inspection, and packaging.
• Specify PLCs, HMIs, motion control, and safety systems; author URS and functional specs.
• Oversee vendor selection, FAT/SAT, and site acceptance.
• Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
• Drive OEE, cycle‑time, and yield improvements through data analytics and iterative tuning.
• Implement predictive maintenance, IIoT, and machine‑learning initiatives.
• Compliance & Leadership
• Mentor a team of controls engineers, technicians, and external integrators.
• Cultivate a culture of disciplined experimentation—“measured power, intelligently applied.”
• Lead by example, - go to the factory floor and show team members how to solve difficult problems by creating solid architecture and writing good code.

Benefits

• Exceptional talent shouldn't be bound by geography.
• If you're ready to relocate to Dallas, TX and join us in reindustrializing America’s defense backbone, we'll make it easy—and for those who move quickly, additional incentives may be available.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior