Senior Automation Specialist

Cambridge, ON
On-site
Posted Oct 9, 2026
1 position

$80,000–$95,000 / year

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Employment type: Full-time
Experience level: Senior · 5+ years
Posting language: English
Working hours: 40 hours per week
Seniority: Mid-Senior level

Job summary

Develop, program, test, troubleshoot, install, start up, and commission custom industrial automation systems, including Siemens PLCs, HMIs, robots, drives, and servo equipment. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and customers throughout project delivery, while providing technical guidance and mentorship to junior team members.

Job details

SENIOR AUTOMATION SPECIALIST Location: Cambridge, ON Salary: $80,000–$95,000/year Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time Industry: Industrial Automation / Systems Integration ABOUT US STRIVE is a specialist recruitment firm offering proactive recruitment solutions in the areas of Accounting & Finance, Corporate Administration, Manufacturing & Operations, Special Projects and Technology. We are currently working with an established organization specializing in industrial automation and systems integration that is looking for an experienced Senior Automation Specialist to join its team in Cambridge, Ontario. THE ROLE If you are an experienced automation professional with strong Siemens PLC programming, HMI programming, robot integration, and commissioning experience, this is an excellent opportunity to take on a senior, hands-on technical role working on custom automation projects. The Senior Automation Specialist will be involved throughout the project lifecycle, including controls development, PLC and HMI programming, robotic integration, testing, troubleshooting, installation, startup, and commissioning. This position requires someone who can work independently on complex automation systems while collaborating with mechanical, electrical, controls, and project teams. As a senior member of the group, you will also provide technical guidance and mentorship to less experienced team members. The successful candidate must have strong hands-on Siemens PLC experience, along with direct experience programming and integrating industrial robots. Travel is limited to moderate and will primarily occur during customer installations, startup, and commissioning. ADVANTAGES Salary: $80,000–$95,000/year Permanent, full-time opportunity Compensation structure may include an hourly arrangement with overtime Senior-level, hands-on automation position Opportunity to work on custom industrial automation and robotic integration projects Exposure to projects from initial programming through final commissioning Opportunity to provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior team members Work with PLCs, HMIs, robotics, drives, servo systems, and other automation technologies Limited to moderate travel, primarily for installation and commissioning Opportunity to work independently while collaborating with multidisciplinary technical teams RESPONSIBILITIES Develop, program, test, troubleshoot, and commission industrial automation and control systems Program Siemens PLCs for custom industrial automation applications Develop, program, and modify HMI systems and operator interfaces Program and integrate industrial robotic systems, including multi-axis robots and pick-and-place applications Develop PLC and HMI logic from scratch and work with existing customer programming standards and templates Review controls and hardware designs to ensure systems meet project and customer requirements Test and simulate controls software prior to installation and commissioning Perform system startup, debugging, testing, and commissioning at customer locations Program, configure, test, and commission drives, motors, servo systems, VFDs, soft starters, and other motion-control equipment Troubleshoot electrical, controls, communication, programming, and equipment issues Review electrical drawings, automation architectures, communication networks, panel layouts, and controls documentation Participate in the development and integration of complete automation solutions Provide technical support to customers remotely and on-site as required Work closely with mechanical, electrical, controls, and project teams throughout project execution Support project planning, scheduling, technical documentation, deliverables, and scope requirements Provide technical leadership, coaching, and mentorship to junior automation team members Maintain safe working practices throughout programming, testing, installation, startup, and commissioning activities Travel to customer sites as required, primarily for installation and commissioning REQUIREMENTS 5+ years of hands-on industrial automation experience Strong Siemens PLC programming experience is an absolute requirement Hands-on industrial robot programming and integration experience is required Strong PLC and HMI programming experience is required Demonstrated experience with automation system programming, testing, troubleshooting, startup, and commissioning Strong understanding of industrial controls and automation architectures Experience working with electrical drawings, control panels, industrial networks, and automation hardware Experience troubleshooting PLC, HMI, robotic, electrical, and controls-related issues Strong electrical and mechanical aptitude Experience working with multiple automation hardware components and technologies Strong troubleshooting skills with the ability to understand and diagnose systems and programs developed by others Ability to work independently and take ownership of technical assignments Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities Previous experience mentoring, coaching, or providing technical direction to junior team members Strong verbal and written communication skills Comfortable interacting directly with customers during project execution and commissioning Comfortable travelling to customer sites as required ASSETS Experience working within a custom automation or systems integration environment Experience designing, programming, or commissioning robotic cells Experience with servo systems, VFDs, motors, soft starters, and motion-control applications Experience with industrial communication networks and automation architectures Exposure to multiple PLC, HMI, robotics, and automation hardware platforms Experience supporting projects from initial controls development through final customer commissioning and handover Experience providing technical leadership or mentorship within an automation team WORK ENVIRONMENT On-site position in Cambridge, Ontario Hands-on technical automation and systems integration environment Works closely with mechanical, electrical, controls, project management, and customer teams Limited to moderate travel, primarily associated with customer installation, startup, and commissioning Some customer support may be required outside of regular business hours depending on project requirements Ideal for a senior automation professional who enjoys programming, troubleshooting, commissioning, solving complex technical problems, and mentoring others If you are an experienced automation professional with strong Siemens PLC, HMI programming, robot integration, and commissioning experience, we encourage you to apply.

What you’ll do

Requirements

Requires at least five years of hands-on industrial automation experience, strong Siemens PLC and HMI programming skills, and direct industrial robot programming and integration experience. Candidates must be able to troubleshoot and commission complex systems, work independently, communicate effectively with customers, and provide technical direction to junior colleagues.