Sr Automation Engineer

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Industrial Controls Engineer to lead the design and development of industrial control panels and related automation systems in a panel design and build environment.

This role focuses heavily on electrical design, panel layout, component selection, UL508A compliance, and supporting fabrication and testing activities. The position includes occasional travel to customer sites for field verification, startup, commissioning, and technical support.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with hands-on collaboration across engineering, production, and customers to deliver high-quality, compliant control solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Electrical & Controls Design

Design industrial control panels in compliance with UL508A, NEC, and NFPA 79

Develop:

Electrical schematics

Panel layouts

Power distribution designs

I/O lists and wiring diagrams

Bills of Materials (BOMs)

Perform load calculations, SCCR analysis, and arc flash considerations

Select and specify components including:

PLCs and remote I/O

HMIs

VFDs and motor starters

Power supplies and protection devices

Standards & Compliance

Ensure designs meet applicable codes and customer specifications

Support UL inspections and maintain compliance documentation

Maintain and improve internal electrical design standards

Review and approve designs from junior engineers and designers

Production & Testing Support

Collaborate with panel shop personnel during fabrication

Provide technical clarification and redline support

Develop and execute Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) procedures

Troubleshoot issues during build and system testing

Onsite & Field Support (Occasional Travel)

Support onsite installation and system startup

Perform I/O checkout and commissioning

Troubleshoot field wiring and integration issues

Participate in customer design reviews and project meetings

Provide post-installation technical support as needed

Controls Programming (As Applicable)

Develop or modify PLC and HMI programs

Validate control sequences and safety functions

Support system integration with field equipment

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience)

7+ years of experience in industrial control panel design

Strong knowledge of:

UL508A

NEC

NFPA 79

Experience with electrical CAD platforms (e.g., AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar)

Experience performing SCCR calculations

Strong understanding of industrial control systems and field integration

Willingness to travel occasionally as project needs require

Preferred Qualifications

UL508A MTR (Master of Record) experience

Experience with Allen-Bradley PLC systems

Familiarity with safety circuit design (Category 3/4, SIL, PL ratings)

Experience in OEM, systems integration, or custom equipment environments

Key Competencies

Strong knowledge of electrical codes and panel standards

Detail-oriented design approach

Hands-on troubleshooting capability

Effective communication with customers and production teams

Ability to manage multiple active projects simultaneously

Work Environment

Combination of office engineering and panel shop floor

Occasional travel to customer sites

Fast-paced, production-driven environment with project deadlines

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive salary based on experience

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Please keep in mind that this is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. It also does not consider other components that make up the total rewards package for the position. If you are hired at Motion, your overall compensation will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and/or experience which may result in total compensation outside of this range.

Compensation is from $98,099 to $134,810 annually

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GPC conducts its business without regard to sex, race, creed, color, religion, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, age, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, military status, status as a veteran, or any other protected characteristic. GPC's policy is to recruit, hire, train, promote, assign, transfer and terminate employees based on their own ability, achievement, experience and conduct and other legitimate business reasons.