Job Description:
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.
What You Will Do:
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.
What We Are Looking For:
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-onAbility 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.
- Experience That Will Get Our Attention
- You do not need to already know all of these technologies.
- Experience with any of the following is useful:
- Allen-Bradley / Rockwell PLCsSiemens PLCsHMI programming
- Variable-frequency drives
- Servo motion systems
- Industrial Ethernet
- Sensors and instrumentation
- Data-acquisition systems
- Machine vision
- Electrical CADControl-panel designC#, 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 SAERobotics teams
- Laboratory equipment
- Senior design projects
- Machine buildingCNC 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 about it.
- This Is Not a Typical Entry-Level Engineering JobMany new engineers enter positions where they spend several years working on a small piece of an established product. That is not how Symbrium operates.
- Most of our projects are one-of-a-kind systems. Our equipment routinely combines:
- Mechanical systems
- Electric motors and drives
- High-speed rotating equipment
- InstrumentationSensorsData acquisitionPLC controls
- Industrial communications
- SoftwareAutomated testing
- Because the projects are different, you will continually encounter new engineering problems.
- You will see machines progress from concept through design, assembly, programming, debugging, testing, and final commissioning.
- That breadth of exposure is difficult to get in a large engineering organization.
- You May Be a Good Fit IfYou:
- Like understanding how things actually workEnjoy solving problems without predetermined answers
- Are comfortable getting out from behind a computer
- Want to work around real machinery and equipment
- Ask questions when you do not understand something
- Learn quickly
- Take ownership of your workEnjoy working with engineers, technicians, machinists, and programmers
- Get satisfaction from seeing something you helped design actually operate
- We do not expect a new engineer to arrive knowing everything.
- We do expect intelligence, curiosity, initiative, and a genuine desire to become a very capable engineer.
About Symbrium:
Symbrium designs and builds highly engineered custom test systems, manufacturing equipment, and automation systems.
Our work spans mechanical engineering, controls, instrumentation, data acquisition, software, automation, and machine design.
Because we are a small engineering organization, engineers have substantial involvement in the systems they develop and the opportunity to take on meaningful responsibility early in their careers.
Symbrium is an equal opportunity employer.
