Automation & Controls Engineer II

Company Description

Design For Making specializes in custom automation solutions that help manufacturers improve production efficiency, reliability, and quality. Our projects may include robotics, custom machinery, material handling, assembly systems, pick-and-place applications, packaging, palletizing, machine tending, and other industrial automation solutions.

Because every project is different, our team works closely across design, machining, fabrication, assembly, controls, testing, and installation to turn ideas into working equipment.

Role Description

Design For Making is seeking an Automation & Controls Engineer II. This role develops, programs, tests, troubleshoots, and commissions PLC-based automation systems for custom machines and robotic cells. The engineer works with mechanical engineers, electrical team members, machinists, fabricators, project managers, and customers to bring machines from design through commissioning.

At this level, the Automation & Controls Engineer II owns the controls for complete machines of moderate complexity. Works independently on assigned machines; seeks review on new architectures and safety functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Program PLC systems from the beginning of a project through final testing and commissioning.
• Assist with electrical design reviews, control architecture, and panel layouts.
• Integrate robots, vision, and motion with machine sequencing and safety.
• Estimate programming effort and report progress and blockers.
• Develop, test, and troubleshoot PLC ladder logic for custom automation equipment.
• Program and support Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation systems, including Studio 5000 / Logix Designer.
• Configure and troubleshoot HMIs, sensors, VFDs, servo systems, I/O, safety devices, and industrial networks.
• Support internal testing, FAT, SAT, installation, commissioning, and customer support.
• Create and maintain controls documentation, including program backups, I/O lists, sequence of operations, and as-built records.
• Travel up to 25% for customer-site installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and training.

Required Qualifications

• 2–5 years of PLC programming or controls engineering experience.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley / Rockwell PLCs and Studio 5000 or similar.
• Willingness to work full-time in person in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with robotic systems such as FANUC, Kawasaki, ABB, Yaskawa/Motoman, or similar.
• Experience with vision systems such as Cognex or Keyence.
• Experience with servo motion, indexing, and coordinated motion (including Festo or similar).
• Experience with machine safety, light curtains, interlocks, and safety validation.
• Experience with Ethernet/IP, industrial networking, and remote access.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for a controls engineer who takes ownership of a machine and sees it through commissioning.

What Success Looks Like

A successful Automation & Controls Engineer II delivers working, documented controls for complete machines and commissions them with customers.

Promotion to Automation & Controls Engineer III (Senior): Leads controls on complex machines and robotic cells; commissions on site without support; mentors Level I; estimates are reliable.

Benefits

• Full-time position.
• 4/10 schedule.
• Hands-on work with custom automation and robotic systems.
• Clear career path within DFM's Automation & Controls Engineering ladder (next level: Automation & Controls Engineer III (Senior)).
• Opportunity to grow with a small but expanding automation company.