Automation Engineer

🏭 Automation Engineer | Serac Inc. | Carol Stream, IL (On-site)

Start your controls career building machines, not maintaining them.

Serac Inc. designs and builds filling, capping, and cup-filling systems for customers across food, beverage, dairy, personal care, and household products. We are an OEM machine builder, which means you will see a machine go from schematic to running production line, and you will have your hands on it the whole way.

We are hiring an Automation Engineer to work alongside our senior automation engineers on PLC and HMI software, machine integration, testing, and startup. This is a true development seat with a clear path to owning machine subsystems on your own.

⚙️ What you will do

• Write, modify, and test PLC and HMI software for machine functions and modules under the direction of a senior automation engineer
• Support machine build and integration: I/O checkout, point-to-point verification, loop checks, sensor and actuator validation, drive configuration
• Participate in Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), executing procedures, recording results, and driving punch-list items to closure
• Assist with field commissioning, startup, and prototype trials at customer sites, including operator and maintenance training support
• Build and maintain technical documentation: I/O lists, control narratives, functional descriptions, test records, and as-built revisions
• Troubleshoot machine faults by tracing PLC logic, live I/O, electrical drawings, interlocks, permissives, and network diagnostics
• Support safety circuit verification and documentation with senior engineering guidance

🎓 What we are looking for

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline
• 0-2 years of automation, controls, or machine-build experience. Internships, co-ops, and capstone automation projects count
• Working knowledge of PLC programming fundamentals (ladder logic, IEC 61131-3). Exposure to Rockwell Studio 5000 / ControlLogix preferred
• Ability to read electrical schematics, control panel drawings, I/O lists, and pneumatic diagrams
• Familiarity with VFDs, servo drives, motor starters, sensors, actuators, and safety devices
• Awareness of ISO 13849, IEC 60204, and NFPA 79, and a real interest in developing applied competency
• Basic understanding of EtherNet/IP. Exposure to Siemens, structured text, or C++/.NET is a plus
• Documentation discipline and clear communication with electrical, mechanical, assembly, and service teams

✅ A strong advantage

Prior exposure to a machine builder, OEM, or systems integrator environment through a co-op, internship, or first job out of school.

📌 Serac is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

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