Systems Principal Automation Engineer (50255)

SUMMARY:
The Systems Operations department of AMADA WELD TECH delivers integrated, intelligent systems using our 3D, Define Design Deliver, philosophy. The Systems Principal Automation Engineer (Principal Engineer) serves as the senior-most technical authority for software architecture, advanced controls, artificial intelligence and machine learning systems, SCADA/HMI platforms, machine vision, and high reliability industrial automation in Systems Operations. This position operates with minimal guidance from leadership and establishes technical direction across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Task assignments, project schedules, and backlog priorities are directed through the Engineering Services Manager or delegated Systems Operations technical leadership (Proposal Manager, Engineering Manager, and Automation Lead). The Principal Engineer is expected to self manage execution of these tasks with minimal oversight, driving technical quality, architecture decisions, and integration outcomes across Systems Operations.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Engineering:

• The Principal Engineer will be assigned programming needs for production backlog and development projects.
• Architect and develop advanced software systems supporting automation, motion control, machine vision, SCADA, safety systems, and distributed industrial operations.
• Architect SCADA/HMI systems for live visualization, diagnostics, alarms, and remote operations.
• Develop industrial data acquisition, historians, and plant-wide data networking (FactoryTalk, IIoT, MQTT)
• Lead machine learning and AI development initiatives using PyTorch, TensorFlow, OpenCV, and/or HALCON.
• Develop classical and deep learning machines and vision applications using OpenCV or HALCON with custom neural networks or pipelines.
• Oversee dataset design, labeling workflows, training pipelines, and model validation/testing.
• Integrate edge AI hardware and accelerators or embedded inference engines.
• Design and validate real time controls integrations across PLCs, CNCs, motion controllers, and industrial network systems.
• Develop industrial communication handshakes in Modbus TCP, OPC-UA, TCP/IP, Serial, or other fieldbus protocols.
• • Ensure compliance with UL, CE, and NFPA standards governing safety and controls engineering.
• Lead development of machine-learning models for inspection, anomaly detection, automation optimization, and predictive intelligence within Systems Operations.
• Design operator interfaces using WinForms, WPF, .NET, and industrial panel platforms.
• Author and enforce software architecture standards, reusable libraries, modular frameworks, and support strategies.
• Utilize Azure DevOps for task assignments, backlog execution, tracking, code review, and revision control across projects
• Other projects and tasks assigned by the company from time to time

Project Engineering:

• Work in and foster a team environment with other engineers, production, QA, test, materials control, contract management, and sales personnel.
• Support and develop new software under direction of management.
• Prepare interface and functionality documentation for software modules.
• Develop and report on project plans and schedules for software development work.
• Prepare detailed engineering release documents and compliance documents.

Software and Controls Development:

• Analyze and recommend improvements to our present software development and design control methodology.
• Mentor software and controls engineers on architecture, design patterns, and quality standards.
• Guide the team in adoption of emerging automation and AI technologies.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.