Hiring Solution
Hire Automation Engineers Who Scale
We screen automation engineers on system architecture, robotics integration and SCADA design so your automation rollout doesn't stall waiting for the right skill set.
Business case
Why this hire matters
System architecture experience
We confirm candidates have designed automation system architecture end to end, including network segmentation and redundancy, not just individual components.
Robotics integration depth
Candidates are checked on hands-on robotics integration with PLC and vision systems where relevant, filtering for real deployment experience.
SCADA and historian design fluency
We verify experience designing SCADA architecture and historian data structures that scale beyond a single line or cell.
OT cybersecurity awareness
We confirm candidates understand basic OT network segmentation and security practices increasingly required on automation projects.
Candidate profile
What a strong candidate looks like
These are the markers our recruiters verify before a candidate reaches your shortlist.
- Has designed or significantly contributed to automation system architecture for a production line or facility
- Direct experience integrating robotics with PLC and vision systems where relevant to the role
- Comfortable designing SCADA architecture and historian data structures at scale
- Working knowledge of OT network segmentation and basic cybersecurity practices
- Experience specifying and justifying automation equipment against a business case
- Able to lead cross-functional automation projects involving IT, controls and process teams
Benchmarks
Experience and market expectations
Hiring benchmarks
- Typical experience
- 5 to 18 years in automation engineering, controls, or systems integration
- Platforms
- Ignition, FactoryTalk, Studio 5000, robotics platforms (Fanuc, ABB, KUKA)
- Deliverables
- System architecture diagrams, integration plans, SCADA/historian designs, ROI justifications
- Travel expectations
- Mix of design office time and multi-site rollout travel
- Work environment
- Engineering office, production floor, robotics integration cells
Screening
How we qualify candidates
Architecture design review
Step 1
We review or discuss a system architecture the candidate designed, including redundancy considerations.
Robotics integration scenario
Step 2
Candidates describe integrating a robotics cell with existing PLC and vision systems.
SCADA/historian design discussion
Step 3
We confirm the candidate's approach to scalable SCADA and historian architecture.
OT security awareness check
Step 4
We verify basic understanding of network segmentation and OT security practices.
Reference verification
Step 5
We confirm design authority and project outcomes with prior supervisors.
Timeline
What the hiring timeline looks like
Requirement scoping call
Days 1-3
We capture platform, integration scope, and business case drivers for the automation initiative.
Shortlist delivery
Week 1-2
Shortlists for automation engineering roles typically arrive within one to two weeks given specialization requirements.
Technical interview
Week 2-3
Your automation lead evaluates architecture and integration experience directly.
Offer and onboarding
Week 3-5
Offer and start date are coordinated around your rollout schedule.
Avoid these
Common hiring mistakes
Confusing automation engineers with PLC programmers
Automation engineering spans system architecture and business case justification, not just code. Hiring a programmer for this scope leaves architecture decisions unowned.
Skipping robotics integration verification
Engineers without direct robotics integration experience underestimate the coordination needed between mechanical, vision and controls systems.
Overlooking OT security knowledge
Automation projects that ignore network segmentation from the start create security exposure that is expensive to retrofit later.
Underestimating scale requirements
An engineer experienced only with single-cell automation may design a SCADA or historian architecture that cannot scale to facility-wide deployment.
Most requested
Skills clients ask for most often
- Automation system architecture design
- Robotics integration (Fanuc, ABB, KUKA)
- Ignition / FactoryTalk SCADA design
- Historian data architecture
- OT network segmentation basics
- Studio 5000 / PLC integration
- Vision system integration
- ROI and business case development
Sectors
Where this role is deployed
Manufacturing & Automation
PLC, DCS, HMI, and robotics engineers for plants automating production lines and integrating new control systems.
See sector coverageManufacturing
Mechanical, electrical, and maintenance engineers supporting plant expansions, retrofits, and reliability programs.
See sector coverageData Centers
Specialized engineers for hyperscale and colocation builds, from switchgear commissioning to SCADA integration.
See sector coverage
Engagement models
Ways to structure this hire
Contract Staffing
Discipline-qualified engineers deployed to your project phase - not your job description - mobilized within a 10 business day standard.
How this model worksDirect Hire
Source and place permanent engineers who join your payroll directly from day one, screened through the same 14-stage evaluation standard applied to every engagement.
How this model worksProject Team Mobilization
Multi-discipline team deployment - civil through commissioning - managed by a single point of accountability, scalable from 5 to 200+ engineers.
How this model works
Answers
Frequently asked questions
Question not covered here? Ask a recruiter directly - you will get a straight technical answer, not a callback from a salesperson.
Keep going
Before you brief the search
The discipline profile behind this guide, plus the pay and market context that shapes a realistic offer.
- Automation Engineers discipline profileResponsibilities, certifications and technical screening depth for automation engineers.
- Salary guidesWhat actually moves compensation for this discipline, by sector and project phase.
- Market insightsAvailability, competing demand and time-to-fill reality across our sectors.
Ready to move on this hire?
Send the requisition, site location and target start date. A recruiter who screens automation engineers every week will confirm market feasibility, pay reality and timeline before any search work begins.