Automation Controls Engineer (6 Month Contract)

Job Description

Job Description

About Us :

At CompassX, our clients rely on us to lead high-priority strategic initiatives and transformational projects.  Our mission is to create a community of people who come up with innovative approaches and deliver the best outcomes for our clients.

You will have the opportunity to leverage your experience, creativity, and skills to impact your clients and influence the trajectory of our firm to achieve growth for the team and your career.

We are honored to be recognized as a “Best Place to Work” in Southern California and listed as one of INC.’s 5000 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S.

This is a 6 month Contract role on site in Plano, Texas

We’re looking for a hands-on PLC Programmer / Controls Engineer to help bring new ideas to life in our automation lab! If you love building things, tinkering in the lab, and seeing your code in action, this might be the perfect fit.

What you’ll do :

Work onsite, full-time, Monday–Friday at our automation lab in Plano, TX

Partner daily with design engineers and teammates to spec, select, and test sensors, motors, and other electrical components for new prototypes

Develop electrical BOMs and wiring diagrams for new automation projects

Build and wire control panels and motion devices (120VAC and low voltage)

Program and debug Automation Direct PLCs using ladder logic (main tool : ProductivitySuite)

Drive all stages of PLC programming : design, implementation, debugging, and testing

Integrate and program motion controls—think stepper motors, 3-axis gantry and motion systems, sensors, and safety devices

Test, debug, and optimize recovery and fault sequences for motion systems

Collaborate, communicate, and help troubleshoot hands-on in the lab environment

Recommend new approaches for recipe management, data handling, or remote / MQTT data connections (a plus, not required)

Support project milestones—enthusiasm for pitching in whenever needed

Must-Have Skills & Background :

5+ years focused experience programming PLCs from scratch, especially ladder logic

Confidence in developing, debugging, and optimizing full control sequences

Strong experience with stepper motors, motion systems, sensor integration, and basic safety system (relays, circuits) concepts

Familiar with wiring diagrams, electrical troubleshooting, and hands-on panel builds

Willing to dive into the details—hands-on in lab, not just behind the desk!

Clear, collaborative communicator who enjoys problem-solving as part of a team

Bonus Points For :

Experience with Automation Direct PLCs and ProductivitySuite software

Knowledge of recipe / data management, remote logging, or MQTT protocols

Understanding of ANSI, CE, TUV, or UL safety standards

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.