Solutions Engineer (Industrial Automation)

The Solutions Engineer - Factory Automation serves as the technical expert responsible for developing, designing, and supporting industrial automation solutions that solve complex manufacturing challenges.

This role works closely with customers, sales, project management, and engineering teams to understand manufacturing processes, develop automation architectures, create technical proposals, support demonstrations, and lead successful implementation of automation systems.

The Solutions Engineer combines strong controls engineering experience with customer-facing consulting skills to deliver innovative, scalable, and profitable automation solutions.

Job Objectives

Major Responsibilities/KPIs

Deliverables

Customer Solution Development

• Develop automation system concepts and architectures that solve customer manufacturing challenges.
• Conduct plant assessments and discovery meetings.
• Deliver compelling technical presentations, demonstrations, and proof-of-concept systems.
• Increase solution win rate through technical excellence.

Factory Automation Design Excellence

• Develop complete automation architectures utilizing PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, Robotics, Motion Control, Vision Systems, Safety Controllers, Servo Systems, VFDs, Industrial Networking, and IIoT technologies.
• Deliver technically sound, scalable, and standardized solutions.

Project Technical Leadership

• Support project execution from concept through commissioning.
• Ensure projects meet technical, schedule, quality, and budget objectives.
• Provide technical leadership during design reviews, FAT, SAT, and startup activities.

Business Development Support

• Support sales with customer meetings, technical presentations, proposal development, BOM generation, and solution costing.
• Identify opportunities to expand automation solutions within existing customer accounts.

Technical Growth & Innovation

• Continuously develop expertise in factory automation technologies.
• Complete product certifications and advanced technical training.
• Introduce new technologies into customer solutions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Sales, Engineering, Product Management, Operations, and Service teams to improve solution offerings and execution.
• Provide feedback to product management based on customer applications.

Key Competencies:

• Industrial Automation Expertise
• Strong understanding of industrial control systems including:
• PLC Programming
• HMI Development
• SCADA Systems
• Motion Control
• Servo Systems
• Robotics
• Machine Vision
• Safety Systems
• Industrial Networking
• IIoT Platforms
• MES integration
• Edge Computing
• Understanding of manufacturing processes and production equipment.
• Automation Solution Design
• Develop complete automation architectures from concept through implementation.
• Select appropriate hardware and software platforms.
• Design reliable, maintainable, and scalable automation systems.
• Develop control narratives and functional specifications.
• Customer Consulting
• Conduct discovery workshops.
• Understand manufacturing pain points.
• Translate operational requirements into automation solutions.
• Present technical concepts to engineering, operations, maintenance, and executive leadership.
• Project Execution
• Support multiple concurrent automation projects.
• Coordinate with project managers and engineering teams.
• Assist with scheduling, technical documentation, and risk mitigation.
• Problem SolvingTroubleshoot electrical, controls, communications, and software issues.
• Diagnose machine performance problems.
• Support startup and commissioning activities.

Key Behaviors:

• Ownership
• Takes ownership of customer success.
• Drives projects from concept through commissioning.
• Communicates risks early.
• Customer Focus
• Builds trusted advisor relationships.
• Understands customer manufacturing objectives.
• Recommends solutions that maximize operational value.
• Collaboration
• Works effectively across engineering, sales, operations, and product management.
• Supports knowledge sharing and mentoring.
• Adaptability
• Comfortable supporting diverse manufacturing industries.
• Quickly learns new technologies and applications.
• Continuous Improvement
• Promotes standardization.
• Identifies reusable engineering practices.
• Continuously improves engineering processes.

Core Strengths:

• Technical Leadership
• Deep understanding of industrial automation technologies.
• Provides technical direction throughout the project lifecycle.
• Manufacturing Knowledge
• Experience supporting automation projects in industries such as:
• Automotive
• Semiconductor
• Electronics
• Food & Beverage
• Pharmaceutical
• Consumer Products
• Packaging
• Material Handling
• Data Centers
• Battery Manufacturing
• Solution Development
• Creates complete automation solutions that balance cost, performance, reliability, and maintainability.
• Innovation
• Applies emerging technologies including:
• AI-assisted automation
• Industrial IoT
• Digital Twins
• Predictive Maintenance
• Edge Computing
• Cloud Connectivity, * Customer Engagement
• Meet with customers to understand manufacturing challenges.
• Conduct plant assessments.
• Lead technical discovery sessions.
• Develop automation roadmaps.
• Solution Development
• Design complete factory automation systems utilizing:
• PLCs
• HMIs
• SCADA
• Robotics
• Motion Control
• Servo Systems
• Machine Vision
• Safety Systems
• Industrial Networking
• IIoT Platforms
• MES Integration
• Create system architectures.
• Develop Bills of Material (BOMs).
• Prepare technical proposals.
• Support project estimating.
• Technical Sales Support
• Deliver customer presentations.
• Demonstrate automation products.
• Develop proof-of-concept systems.
• Support RFQs, RFIs, and RFP responses.
• Assist with technical proposal development.
• Engineering Support
• Develop:
• Functional Specifications
• Control Narratives
• Network Architectures
• I/O Lists
• System Drawings
• Software Standards
• Support programming teams during implementation.
• Project Execution
• Support engineering throughout implementation.
• Participate in:
• Design Reviews
• Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT)
• Site Acceptance Testing (SAT)
• Startup & Commissioning
• Assist with troubleshooting during startup.
• Customer Training
• Train maintenance personnel.
• Train production teams.
• Train engineering staff.
• Develop user documentation.
• Continuous Improvement
• Identify opportunities for product improvement.
• Standardize engineering practices.
• Develop reusable automation templates.
• Share lessons learned.

• Education
• Bachelor’s Degree in:
• Electrical Engineering
• Controls Engineering
• Mechatronics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Automation Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Systems Engineering
• Equivalent industrial automation experience considered.
• Experience
• 5+ years of industrial automation experience.
• Experience in one or more of the following:
• Controls Engineering
• Systems Integration
• Machine Building
• Factory Automation
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Industrial Robotics
• Motion Control
• Automation Consulting
• Technical Skills
• Experience with multiple automation platforms including PLCs, HMI/SCADA, Robotics, Motion Control, Industrial Communications, Manufacturing Technologies (Vision, barcode, safety)
• Soft Skills
• Strong communication skills
• Technical presentation ability
• Customer relationship management
• Project coordination
• Analytical thinking
• Business acumen
• Team collaboration
• Technical writing
• Preferred Certifications (not required)
• TÜV Functional Safety
• Certifications
• PMP
• Certified Automation Professional (CAP)
• ISA Certifications
• Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST)
• Travel Requirements
• Travel up to 40-60% to customer sites throughout North America.
• Ability to support startup, commissioning, and customer meetings as required.

Delta, founded in 1971, is a global leader in power electronics, industrial automation, and energy management solutions. Guided by its mission, “To provide innovative, clean, and energy-efficient solutions for a better tomorrow,” Delta develops technologies that improve manufacturing productivity, energy efficiency, and sustainability.

Delta’s Industrial Automation Business Group delivers integrated automation solutions including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, Robotics, Motion Control, Machine Vision, Industrial Networking, IIoT, Digitalization, and Smart Manufacturing technologies across a broad range of manufacturing industries.