Junior Automation Controls Engineer Custom Machines

Job Description

Symbrium is looking for a Junior Automation & Controls Engineer who wants to do more than sit behind a desk and maintain somebody else's existing product.

We design and build one-of-a-kind machinery, automated test systems, and custom industrial equipment for aerospace, defense, research, and manufacturing customers.

Our engineers work on the entire machine.

You may help develop a control system, program a PLC, integrate sensors and instrumentation, troubleshoot a drive, test a machine on our floor, and later help commission that same system at a customer's facility.

For an engineer early in their career, this is an opportunity to learn a very broad range of real-world engineering.

Working with experienced engineers and technicians, you will help develop controls and automation systems for custom machinery and test equipment.

Typical work includes:

• Developing and modifying PLC programs
• Creating HMI screens and operator interfaces
• Developing machine sequences, interlocks, alarms, and control logic
• Integrating sensors, instrumentation, data-acquisition systems, motors, VFDs, and servos
• Assisting with electrical control-system and panel design
• Selecting controls and instrumentation hardware
• Configuring industrial communications and networks
• Participating in machine wiring, assembly, checkout, and startup
• Troubleshooting electrical, controls, instrumentation, and communications problems
• Working alongside mechanical, electrical, and software engineers during system integration
• Testing complete machines and automated systems
• Supporting installation and commissioning at customer facilities
• Preparing drawings, software documentation, operating procedures, and technical records

As your experience grows, you will take increasing responsibility for complete machine-control systems and participate directly in customer design reviews and technical discussions.

We are looking for an early-career engineer with a strong technical foundation who genuinely enjoys machinery, automation, and figuring out how things work.

You should have:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a closely related engineering field
• Strong interest in automation, machinery, instrumentation, or industrial controls
• Basic understanding of electrical circuits, motors, sensors, and control systems
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting ability
• Mechanical aptitude and willingness to work hands-on
• Ability to communicate clearly and work with a multidisciplinary engineering team
• Curiosity and willingness to learn unfamiliar technologies
• Willingness to travel occasionally for equipment installation and commissioning
• Authorization to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship

*
* Symbrium does not provide employment visa sponsorship for this position.**

You do not need to already know all of these technologies.

Experience with any of the following is useful:

• Allen‑Bradley / Rockwell PLCs
• Siemens PLCs
• HMI programming
• Variable-frequency drives
• Servo motion systems
• Industrial Ethernet
• Sensors and instrumentation
• Data‑acquisition systems
• Machine vision
• Electrical CAD
• Control‑panel design
• C#, C++, Python, or similar programming languages

We also place considerable value on hands‑on experience outside the classroom.

That might include:

• Engineering internships or co‑op programs
• Formula SAE
• Robotics teams
• Laboratory equipment
• Senior design projects
• Machine building
• CNC equipment
• Electronics projects
• Cars, motorcycles, machinery, or other serious personal technical projects

If you have actually built, wired, programmed, repaired, or automated something, we want to hear…