Automation Engineer - Siemens PLC Development

This position will focus primarily on the development, programming, configuration, troubleshooting, and commissioning of industrial PLC control systems , with a strong emphasis on Siemens SIMATIC Manager STEP 7 and S7-400 controllers . The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience developing PLC programs from the ground up, modifying existing control logic, and integrating automated equipment within industrial manufacturing or production environments.

Automation Engineer – Siemens PLC Development
Location: Plano, TX
Employment Type: Full-Time
Work Arrangement: Onsite
Travel: Up to 50% to service centers and customer sites
Position Overview
Wheeler Staffing Partners is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer specializing in Siemens PLC development to join our client's Automation Department in Plano, Texas.

This position will focus primarily on the development, programming, configuration, troubleshooting, and commissioning of industrial PLC control systems, with a strong emphasis on Siemens SIMATIC Manager STEP 7 and S7-400 controllers.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience developing PLC programs from the ground up, modifying existing control logic, and integrating automated equipment within industrial manufacturing or production environments.

Experience with Siemens S7-400 controllers is highly preferred; candidates with strong Siemens S7-300 programming experience will also be considered.

While some SCADA experience is required, this is primarily a PLC development position. Candidates do not need to be advanced SCADA developers, but they should understand how PLCs communicate with SCADA systems and be comfortable supporting basic integration and troubleshooting.

This position requires up to 50% travel to company service centers and customer locations for equipment installation, system integration, commissioning, troubleshooting, and technical support.
Key Responsibilities Siemens PLC Programming & Development – Primary Focus

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  Design, develop, program, configure, and maintain industrial PLC control systems.
  
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  Develop and modify PLC programs using Siemens SIMATIC Manager STEP 7, with an emphasis on S7-400 and S7-300 controller platforms.
  
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  Independently develop PLC control logic based on project requirements, equipment specifications, and operational needs.
  
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  Create, modify, test, and troubleshoot PLC programs for industrial automation equipment.
  
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  Develop control sequences, interlocks, alarms, and automated operating functions.
  
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  Troubleshoot existing PLC logic and implement programming modifications to improve equipment performance and reliability.
  
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  Perform PLC hardware configuration, I/O mapping, and system diagnostics.
  
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  Support communication between PLCs, field instrumentation, drives, and other industrial control equipment.
  
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  Maintain accurate documentation of PLC programs, control logic, and system configurations.
  
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  Identify opportunities to improve control system functionality, reliability, and efficiency.
  

Automation & Controls Integration

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  Integrate PLC systems with industrial equipment, instrumentation, drives, and supporting automation technologies.
  
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  Configure and troubleshoot communication between PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA platforms.
  
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  Support basic SCADA configuration, integration, and troubleshooting as required.
  
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  Work with industrial communication networks and control system interfaces.
  
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  Review and interpret P&IDs, electrical drawings, wiring schematics, and control system specifications.
  
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  Develop control strategies and technical documentation for assigned projects.
  
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  Collaborate with Electrical Engineers, Automation Engineers, and other technical personnel to support system integration.
  
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  Troubleshoot automation, controls, and network communication issues.
  

Project Development & Execution

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  Participate in project planning, technical reviews, and automation design discussions.
  
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  Collaborate with clients and application specialists during proposal and project development stages.
  
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  Translate operational and customer requirements into functional PLC control strategies.
  
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  Develop programming specifications, control philosophies, and supporting engineering documentation.
  
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  Monitor assigned engineering deliverables to ensure projects remain on schedule.
  
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  Support project cost considerations and equipment specifications.
  
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  Maintain accurate engineering records, programming documentation, and technical files.
  
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  Work with internal teams to ensure automation solutions meet project requirements and operational expectations.
  

Field Service, Commissioning & Customer Support

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  Travel to company service centers and customer sites, up to approximately 50%.
  
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  Perform onsite PLC programming, troubleshooting, system integration, and commissioning.
  
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  Support equipment startup, testing, and operational validation.
  
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  Diagnose and resolve control system problems involving PLC logic, instrumentation, communications, and automated equipment.
  
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  Modify PLC programs to address equipment performance or operational issues.
  
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  Provide technical support and training to operators, service personnel, and customer teams.
  
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  Support warranty-related troubleshooting and technical service activities.
  
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  Collaborate with customers and field personnel to resolve automation issues efficiently.
  

Required Qualifications

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  High School Diploma or GED.
  
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  Minimum of five (5) years of electrical, controls, or industrial automation experience in a production, manufacturing, or engineering environment.
  
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  Hands-on PLC development and programming experience using Siemens SIMATIC Manager STEP 7.
  
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  Experience programming and troubleshooting Siemens S7-400 or S7-300 PLC controllers.
  
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  Demonstrated ability to develop, modify, and troubleshoot PLC control logic.
  
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  Experience working with industrial automation equipment and control systems.
  
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  Working knowledge of PLC hardware configuration, I/O systems, and industrial communication networks.
  
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  Basic working experience with SCADA systems, including PLC integration and troubleshooting.
  
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  Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical specifications.
  
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  Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and technical problem-solving skills.
  
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  Ability to work independently and manage multiple technical responsibilities.
  
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  Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  
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  Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
  
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  Ability and willingness to travel up to 50% to service centers and customer locations.
  
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  Must be authorized to work in the United States without employer-sponsored immigration assistance.
  

Preferred Qualifications

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  Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Industrial Automation, or a related technical discipline.
  
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  Extensive experience developing Siemens S7-400 PLC programs using SIMATIC Manager STEP 7.
  
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  Experience with Siemens S7-300 PLC systems.
  
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  Experience with Siemens TIA Portal, STEP 7, and related Siemens automation tools.
  
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  Experience with Rockwell Automation PLC systems, including ControlLogix and Studio 5000.
  
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  Familiarity with SCADA platforms such as:
  
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    Wonderware InTouch
    
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    AVEVA/Wonderware System Platform
    
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    GE CIMPLICITY
    
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    Siemens WinCC
    
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    Ignition
    
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  Experience with ABB Drive Composer or Siemens STARTER software.
  
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  Knowledge of industrial instrumentation and PID control technologies.
  
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  Familiarity with Visual Basic, .NET/Visual Studio, or Python.
  
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  Previous field service, equipment startup, or industrial commissioning experience.
  
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  Experience mentoring junior engineers or coordinating technical project activities.
  

What We're Looking For
We are looking for a hands-on Siemens PLC programmer and developer, not someone whose experience is limited to monitoring automated equipment or making minor adjustments to existing PLC programs.

The successful candidate should be able to independently develop PLC logic, troubleshoot complex control systems, and support automation projects from initial programming through commissioning.

The most important qualifications for this position are:

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  Strong Siemens SIMATIC Manager STEP 7 programming experience.
  
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  Hands-on development experience with Siemens S7-400 controllers, with S7-300 experience also acceptable.
  
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  Ability to develop and troubleshoot PLC programs independently.
  
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  Basic SCADA integration and troubleshooting experience.
  
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  Willingness to travel up to 50% for field service and customer support.
  

Candidates with extensive experience in other PLC platforms but no hands-on Siemens SIMATIC Manager STEP 7 development experience would not be the strongest fit for this position.
Physical Requirements

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  Frequently required to walk, sit, use hands and fingers, and reach with hands and arms.
  
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  Occasionally required to stand.
  
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  Frequently lift or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds.
  
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  Ability to work in industrial and manufacturing environments during service visits and commissioning activities.