Automation Engineer

BUILT TO CONNECT

At Astec, we believe in the power of connection and the importance of building long-lasting relationships with our employees, customers and the communities we call home. With a team more than 4,000 strong, our employees are our #1 advantage. We invest in skills training and provide opportunities for career development to help you grow along with the business. We offer programs that support physical safety, as well as benefits and resources to enhance total health and wellbeing, so you can be your best at work and at home.

Our equipment is used to build the roads and infrastructure that connects us to each other and to the goods and services we use. We are an industry leader known for delivering innovative solutions that create value for our customers. As our industry evolves, we are using new technology and data like never before.

We’re looking for creative problem solvers to build the future with us. Connect with us today and build your career at Astec.

LOCATION: Chattanooga, TN

ABOUT THE POSITION

We seek a skilled Controls Engineer to lead automation, digital integration, and technical support in our manufacturing operations. The ideal candidate excels in PLC programming, MES/ERP connectivity, robotics, Industry 4.0 technologies, and enterprise software support (SigmaNEST and SimTrans). This role requires both hands-on execution and strategic planning for digital transformation initiatives while also serving as a technical support resource for critical manufacturing systems.

Deliverables & Responsibilities

Automation & Controls

• Design, program, and troubleshoot PLC-based control systems (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.) for new equipment and retrofit projects.
• Create and maintain electrical schematics, panel layouts, and wiring diagrams using AutoCAD Electrical or EPLAN.
• Develop modular, scalable code structures for efficient reuse and system flexibility.

MES/ERP & Systems Integration

• Architect and implement data bridges between shop floor equipment, MES, and ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Plex, etc.).
• Standardize data structures and communication protocols using OPC UA, MQTT, and REST APIs.

Robotics & Motion

• Program and commission industrial robots (Fanuc, ABB, Motoman) for applications including material handling, assembly, and inspection.
• Integrate robotics with safety systems, vision systems, and control architecture.

Digital Manufacturing & IIoT

• Lead deployment of IoT-enabled devices for asset monitoring, predictive maintenance, and real-time analytics.
• Implement edge computing solutions for latency-critical operations and data reduction strategies.
• Collaborate with IT/OT teams to ensure secure, scalable industrial network architecture.

Industry 4.0 & Future Readiness

• Champion Industry 4.0 concepts: digital twins, virtual commissioning, machine learning integration, and data lakes.
• Evaluate and implement smart sensors and intelligent devices for condition-based monitoring and self-diagnostics.
• Ensure compliance with industrial cybersecurity frameworks (ISA/IEC 62443, NIST).

SigmaNEST & SimTrans Technical Support

• Provide first-line technical support for SigmaNEST nesting software and SimTrans integration across manufacturing sites.
• Troubleshoot license pool/seat issues, configuration errors, and connectivity between SigmaNEST, SimTrans, and Oracle Fusion.
• Maintain system stability by monitoring logs, diagnosing failures, and coordinating fixes with IT and vendor support teams.
• Train engineers, planners, and operators on best practices for using SigmaNEST and SimTrans to minimize downtime.
• Develop and update user documentation, FAQs, and troubleshooting guides.

Equipment Standards & Specification

• Write comprehensive specification sheets, RFQs, and technical documentation to guide machine selection and standardization.
• Develop control standards and glossary documentation to ensure consistency across global operations.

Project & Commissioning

• Manage the full lifecycle of controls projects including design, procurement, FAT, installation, commissioning, and validation.

· Collaborate cross-functionally with mechanical, IT, safety, and manufacturing engineering teams to ensure seamless integration.

To be successful in this role, your experience and competencies are:

· Education: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.

· Experience: Minimum 7 years of experience in Controls/Systems Engineering and automation within a manufacturing environment.

· Strong proficiency in PLC/HMI programming, particularly Rockwell, Siemens, or Beckhoff.

· Experience with MES/ERP system integration and industrial communication protocols (Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, OPC-UA).

· Demonstrated hands-on experience in robotics programming and commissioning (Fanuc, ABB, or Motoman).

· Proven capability in machine installation, troubleshooting, and commissioning.

· Knowledge of IIoT platforms, industrial cybersecurity, and edge computing architectures.

· Familiarity with digital twin modeling, SCADA systems, and cloud integration (AWS, Azure IoT, etc.) is a plus.

· Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work in a high-mix, fast-paced environment.

Supervisor and Leadership Expectations

None

Our Culture and Values

Employees that become part of Astec embody the values below throughout their work.

• · Continuous devotion to meeting the needs of our customers
• · Honesty and integrity in all aspects of business
• · Respect for all individuals
• · Preserving entrepreneurial spirit and innovation
• · Safety, quality and productivity as means to ensure success

Travel Requirements: 30% of travel

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Office

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to risk of injury in an office environment and occasionally a manufacturing shop plant environment. Duties include a typical office setting including extensive computer work, sitting or standing. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Astec does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender (sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, citizenship status, a person’s veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law or executive order.