Sr Automation Engineer

Your Opportunity is Here with HSM•Hickory, NC

About The Position

Founded in 1944, HSM is aâ¯third generation, privately held company with a rich history of innovation and a commitment to our people. With 25 locations across the U.S. and corporate headquarters in Hickory, NC and Huntersville, NC, we specialize in manufacturing components for furniture, bedding, transportation, packaging, automotive, and healthcare industries. Our expertise also includes designing and building automated production machinery. HSM products from sofa springs to swimming pool noodles and bus seats, touch everyday life in countless ways. At HSM, our success is built on our people. We foster a culture of teamwork, innovation, and shared success. If you’re looking for a meaningful place to grow and make an impact, we want to hear from you! What You Will Do Lead Automation Strategy & Innovation Partner directly with plant teams to understand production processes and uncover automation opportunities. Evaluate automation initiatives through the lens of ROI, safety, efficiency, scalability, and reliability. Design and champion enterprise-wide automation solutions aligned to operational and business goals. Serve as a technical thought leader for robotics, controls, and advanced manufacturing technologies. Design & Integrate Advanced Automation Systems Architect, program, and integrate PLC, HMI, SCADA, MES, robotics, motion control, and vision systems. Develop custom automation solutions including robotic assembly, robotic welding, bin-picking vision systems, material handling, and transfer conveyors. Design and build computerized control systems for assembly lines, molding cells, and other automated processes. Support advanced applications such as torque control integration and high-precision robotic operations. Own Complex Projects from Concept to Launch Act as the single-threaded technical leader on complex automation projects while supporting multiple concurrent initiatives. Oversee installation, commissioning, startup, and performance validation of new automated equipment. Lead the decommissioning of legacy systems as new solutions are deployed. Develop technical documentation, operating manuals, and standards for new systems. Champion Safety, Standards & Reliability Develop and implement safety standards for automated equipment and processes. Ensure compliance with internal standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices. Collaborate with Safety, Maintenance, and Operations teams to ensure systems are safe, reliable, and production-ready. Lead & Develop Technical Talent Provide direct leadership and coaching to 1–2 Controls Engineers, supporting technical growth and accountability. Remain highly hands-on—supporting system design, troubleshooting, commissioning, and optimization. Set clear technical direction while maintaining a strong presence on the plant floor. Partner cross-functionally to align automation solutions with production, quality, maintenance, and safety needs. Drive Continuous Improvement Identify opportunities for automation standardization, optimization, and reuse across facilities. Improve throughput, uptime, quality, and cost through smart automation design. Stay current on emerging automation, controls, and digital manufacturing technologies—and apply them where they add value.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
10–15 years of hands-on experience in robotics and automation integration.
Proven ability to lead complex automation projects while contributing to parallel initiatives.
Strong expertise in: PLC, HMI, SCADA, MES Robotics and vision systems Torque control, bin-picking vision, robotic welding, robotic assembly
Fluency in Inductive Automation Ignition and OPC-UA–based MES architectures.
Proficiency in Python, Java, or similar scripting languages.
Strong SQL and database architecture experience.

Nice To Haves

Exceptional organizational and documentation skills.
Adaptability and curiosity to stay current with evolving automation technologies.
Strong collaboration skills and a practical, plant-floor mindset.

Responsibilities

Lead Automation Strategy & Innovation Partner directly with plant teams to understand production processes and uncover automation opportunities.
Evaluate automation initiatives through the lens of ROI, safety, efficiency, scalability, and reliability.
Design and champion enterprise-wide automation solutions aligned to operational and business goals.
Serve as a technical thought leader for robotics, controls, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Design & Integrate Advanced Automation Systems Architect, program, and integrate PLC, HMI, SCADA, MES, robotics, motion control, and vision systems.
Develop custom automation solutions including robotic assembly, robotic welding, bin-picking vision systems, material handling, and transfer conveyors.
Design and build computerized control systems for assembly lines, molding cells, and other automated processes.
Support advanced applications such as torque control integration and high-precision robotic operations.
Own Complex Projects from Concept to Launch Act as the single-threaded technical leader on complex automation projects while supporting multiple concurrent initiatives.
Oversee installation, commissioning, startup, and performance validation of new automated equipment.
Lead the decommissioning of legacy systems as new solutions are deployed.
Develop technical documentation, operating manuals, and standards for new systems.
Champion Safety, Standards & Reliability Develop and implement safety standards for automated equipment and processes.
Ensure compliance with internal standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
Collaborate with Safety, Maintenance, and Operations teams to ensure systems are safe, reliable, and production-ready.
Lead & Develop Technical Talent Provide direct leadership and coaching to 1–2 Controls Engineers, supporting technical growth and accountability.
Remain highly hands-on—supporting system design, troubleshooting, commissioning, and optimization.
Set clear technical direction while maintaining a strong presence on the plant floor.
Partner cross-functionally to align automation solutions with production, quality, maintenance, and safety needs.
Drive Continuous Improvement Identify opportunities for automation standardization, optimization, and reuse across facilities.
Improve throughput, uptime, quality, and cost through smart automation design.
Stay current on emerging automation, controls, and digital manufacturing technologies—and apply them where they add value.

Benefits

Health & Wellness : Affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, including an innovative global healthcare option for qualified participants.
Retire :â¯401(k) with company match, fully vested from day one.
Paid Time Off : Competitive PTO: 3 Weeks of Vacation + 9 company paid holidays.
On-Site Medical Clinics : Free for you and covered dependents.
Teladoc : 24/7 access with no copay.
Professional Development : Tuition reimbursement, professional development assistance and career growth opportunities.
Discounts : Enjoy discounts with HSM partners, including Dollywood Parks & Resort, Verizon Wireless, and more.

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