Senior Software​/Automation Engineer; Hands-On Technical Lead

Our client is a growing, solutions-driven company based in West Jordan, Utah. They specialize in delivering innovative, technically sound products tailored to real-world applications across industrial controls and automation.

Hands-on senior engineer role responsible for technical leadership, system ownership, and light management of a small, experienced design engineering team. The primary focus is building, reviewing, and owning software and automation solutions. Includes final technical authority for engineering-related sales commitments and light support of integrated automation equipment.

At this time, we are not considering candidates who live outside of Utah.

• Design, build, and maintain production software and automation solutions
• Own technical architecture, standards, and long-term maintainability
• Lead complex or high-impact development efforts
• Perform design and code reviews
• Troubleshoot and resolve critical system issues
• Balance delivery speed, reliability, and technical debt
• Ensure systems are documented and supportable

• Provide technical direction for 2–3 experienced design engineers
• Coordinate priorities and dependencies
• Conduct lightweight 1:1s focused on alignment and removing blockers
• Provide hiring and performance input as needed
• Serve as the final technical authority on what sales may propose
• Approve engineering assumptions, constraints, and approaches
• Partner with design engineers who perform research and analysis
• Balance customer requirements, feasibility, and business risk

(Provides technical approval and guardrails for sales. Not responsible for routine quoting or customer-facing sales activity.)

• Support limited internal automation machines integrated with design software
• Maintain integrations between EPLAN and equipment such as Rittal Perforex and WT10C
• Troubleshoot configuration or integration issues
• Participate in upgrades and workflow improvements
• Ensure systems are stable, documented, and supportable

(No full-time machine operation, PLC programming marathons, or on-call manufacturing support.)

• Work with contractors on specialized or short-term projects
• Review contractor output and recommendations
• Ensure knowledge transfer remains internal

• 8+ years of professional experience in software, automation, or related engineering fields
• Strong Allen-Bradley PLC software and hardware product knowledge
• Experience with Rockwell Automation platforms (Control Logix, Compact Logix, Studio 5000)
• Experience designing and supporting automation systems
• Strong technical judgment and decision-making ability

• PLC integration with higher-level software systems

• Not a heavy manufacturing or plant-floor role
• Not a ticket-only or staff-augmentation role

• 15–25% technical leadership and light management
• 5–10% sales review and automation integration
• Travel ranges from 10–20%, depending on project needs and the year’s workload.

• Real ownership of systems and technical direction
• Clear authority over engineering commitments
• Small, capable team with minimal bureaucracy
• Hands-on role with meaningful influence

• Full benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, annual bonus, and more
• Compensation: $130-160K (based on experience)

Location: West Jordan, UT

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm, (In-office)

Reports to: President/Owner

Harbor Hire Recruitment is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as defined by applicable laws.