Automation Engineer

With over 70 years of engineering excellence and a global presence spanning multiple countries, Southco is a leading manufacturer of engineered access solutions. Our innovative products—such as locks, latches, fasteners, hinges, and handles—serve a wide array of industries worldwide. We are passionate about fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture that values creativity, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

While you most likely never hear of Southco, we are over 125 years in business. We are a family-owned company that values our employees & customers.

• Newly Created Role
• 1000+ Patents in 150 categories
• 88% retention rate of employees
• Generous Yearly Bonus
• Grow & Stable Family and employee owned company
• 3 Weeks PTO + 9 Company Holidays
• Medical Benefits—day one—extremely reasonable rates
• 401 (K) Match + Employee stock ownership (3-year vesting in each)
• Onsite—Monday-Friday
• Clean, safe and modern Plant

Southco is looking for an Automation Engineer to design, implement, and continuously improve the automated systems that power our manufacturing operations. This role applies engineering principles and hands-on technical expertise to keep our automated assembly equipment running reliably, to troubleshoot and resolve complex controls issues, and to lead improvement projects from concept through implementation. You'll work closely with production, engineering, and outside automation vendors to specify, evaluate, and integrate new equipment, and you'll be a go-to resource for PLC programming, machine vision, robotics, and electrical controls across the plant floor.

Keep it running: diagnose and fix issues across PLC-controlled conveyors, servo/stepper drives, pneumatics, robotics, and end-of-arm tooling.

Program the brains: write and troubleshoot ladder logic, function blocks, or structured text on industrial controllers.

See what the line sees: configure and maintain machine vision systems for inspection and quality control.

Wire it up: read schematics and panel layouts, and maintain safety-rated controls and I/O.

Bring in the robots: integrate and program industrial robots to spec and to safety standard.

Own the vendor relationship: write specs, run design reviews, and lead acceptance testing for new equipment.

Deliver: run your projects on schedule and on budget, and pitch in wherever the team needs it.

Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Automation Engineering — or equivalent hands-on experience.

5+ years in a manufacturing environment focused on industrial automation.

Hands-on experience with automated assembly equipment: conveyors, servo/stepper drives, pneumatics, robotics, and end-of-arm tooling.

Working knowledge of PLC programming (ladder logic, function blocks, or structured text) and machine vision systems.

Comfort reading electrical schematics and working with safety-rated controls.

Experience integrating industrial robots and familiarity with robotics safety standards (RIA/ANSI).

A track record of managing vendors and delivering projects independently, on time and on budget.

Sharp communication skills and a knack for working across engineering, production, and outside partners.

PLC/HMI platforms: Studio 5000, RSLogix 5000/500, Omron Sysmac Studio/CX-Programmer, Factory Talk View, or Ignition.

Vision systems: Keyence (IV/IV2/IV4/IX, XG/CV/VS) or Cognex (In-Sight, Vision Pro).

Networking: Ether Net/IP, Device Net, Modbus, or Profibus.

Extras: SCADA/MES exposure, Lean or Six Sigma background, Rockwell Automation certification, or an advanced

Generous time off – starting at 3 weeks of annualized PTO (first year is prorated based on start date), 9 company holidays plus 2 floating holidays.

401(k) Savings and Investment Plan - Company makes matching contributions of 50% up to the first 6% of eligible pay you contribute and up to 2% contribution of eligible pay based on company performance.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) valued at approximately 4-6% of eligible earnings which includes dividend payments after 3-year vesting period.

Medical, Dental, Vision,…