Senior Automation Specialist

SENIOR AUTOMATION SPECIALIST

Location: Cambridge, ON

Salary: $80,000–$95,000/year

Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Industry: Industrial Automation / Systems Integration

STRIVE is a specialist recruitment firm offering proactive recruitment solutions in the areas of Accounting & Finance, Corporate Administration, Manufacturing & Operations, Special Projects and Technology.

We are currently working with an established organization specializing in industrial automation and systems integration that is looking for an experienced Senior Automation Specialist to join its team in Cambridge, Ontario.

If you are an experienced automation professional with strong Siemens PLC programming, HMI programming, robot integration, and commissioning experience
, this is an excellent opportunity to take on a senior, hands-on technical role working on custom automation projects.

The Senior Automation Specialist will be involved throughout the project lifecycle, including controls development, PLC and HMI programming, robotic integration, testing, troubleshooting, installation, startup, and commissioning.

This position requires someone who can work independently on complex automation systems while collaborating with mechanical, electrical, controls, and project teams. As a senior member of the group, you will also provide technical guidance and mentorship to less experienced team members.

The successful candidate must have strong hands-on Siemens PLC experience
, along with direct experience programming and integrating industrial robots. Travel is limited to moderate and will primarily occur during customer installations, startup, and commissioning.

• Salary: $80,000–$95,000/year
• Permanent, full-time opportunity
• Compensation structure may include an hourly arrangement with overtime
• Senior-level, hands-on automation position
• Opportunity to work on custom industrial automation and robotic integration projects
• Exposure to projects from initial programming through final commissioning
• Opportunity to provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior team members
• Work with PLCs, HMIs, robotics, drives, servo systems, and other automation technologies
• Limited to moderate travel, primarily for installation and commissioning
• Opportunity to work independently while collaborating with multidisciplinary technical teams

• Develop, program, test, troubleshoot, and commission industrial automation and control systems
• Program Siemens PLCs for custom industrial automation applications
• Develop, program, and modify HMI systems and operator interfaces
• Program and integrate industrial robotic systems, including multi-axis robots and pick-and-place applications
• Develop PLC and HMI logic from scratch and work with existing customer programming standards and templates
• Review controls and hardware designs to ensure systems meet project and customer requirements
• Test and simulate controls software prior to installation and commissioning
• Perform system startup, debugging, testing, and commissioning at customer locations
• Program, configure, test, and commission drives, motors, servo systems, VFDs, soft starters, and other motion‑control equipment
• Troubleshoot electrical, controls, communication, programming, and equipment issues
• Review electrical drawings, automation architectures, communication networks, panel layouts, and controls documentation
• Participate in the development and integration of complete automation solutions
• Provide technical support to customers remotely and on‑site as required
• Work closely with mechanical, electrical, controls, and project teams throughout project execution
• Support project planning, scheduling, technical documentation, deliverables, and scope requirements
• Provide technical leadership,…