
Automation Engineer
Wabtec · Maxton, NC
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Wabtec (industrial) in Maxton, NC. Conceptualize, design, and install condition-based monitoring (CBM) systems on new and existing facility equipment.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- Lean, Kaizen, Robotics, Automation
- Day to day
- relocation help
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in North Carolina: typical posted base $108k–$154k.
Median of the low and high ends of 7 live postings that list pay, out of 38 controls engineer openings in North Carolina, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
North Carolina plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 37 other live controls postings in North Carolina.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (5+ vs 6+)
Typical $108k–$154k, from 7 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 6+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 79%
- PLC 68%
- ✓ Robotics 37%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 32%
- AutoCAD 24%
- MES 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Kaizen, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Wabtec
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Full description from WabtecAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
requirements
are met.
Wabtec will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the U.S. for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable) and fitness for duty test (as applicable).
Travel will be
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Who will you be working with?
The Friction Product Line designs and manufactures high-friction and low-friction composition, sintered brake shoes, specialty shoes, and disc brake linings for freight, locomotive and transit vehicles.
How will you make a difference?
The Automation Engineer assists the Manufacturing Engineering Manager to help design and oversee installation and maintenance of new technology to improve and automate the manufacturing process. The Automation Engineer will be responsible for designing and testing automated machinery and processes to complete exact tasks inside the factory. This can include new systems and upgrades to existing facility equipment.
What do we want to know about you?
- •Bachelor’s Degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or similar field (or Associate/Technical Degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or similar field with 5 years experience in lieu of Bachelor's degree)
- •A minimum of two (2) years’ experience in an industrial environment.
- •Experience in designing, commissioning, and maintaining various automation type equipment including robots and other general automation equipment.
- •Experience with Project Management.
- •Solid understanding of computer programming and software development.
- •Ability to troubleshoot and perform complex system tests.
- •Good knowledge of general industrial disciplines including hydraulics, pneumatics, plant safety and processes, and industrial process systems.
- •General knowledge of electrical power wiring design principles, VFDs, and other common electrical equipment.
- •Strong leadership and problem-solving skills.
- •Proficient in maintaining automation equipment.
- •Good organization skills and attention to detail.
- •Creative thinking skills.
- •Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- •Ability to keep up with latest technologies.
- •A desire to continually upgrade technical knowledge.
- •Ability to present Issues / opportunities to RFPC staff.
- •Good communication and interaction skills.
What will your typical day look like?
- •Explore and design new ways to automate machinery and processes. This can include a wide range of automation options (robots, new metering and/or disposing systems, new material handling systems, etc) designed to fit the needs of the manufacturing process.
- •Conceptualize, design, and install condition-based monitoring (CBM) systems on new and existing facility equipment.
- •Strong presence on shop floor identifying and managing projects.
- •Upon identification of a worthwhile project, write a project description including A) Overall project function, B) Anticipated project benefits and C) Estimated project cost obtained by working directly with vendors, contractors, and other suppliers to determine project equipment requirement. The project description is sent to RFPC management for review and approval.
- •Upon approval of a project, order equipment and perform required detailed design and drawings (as needed).
- •Program new automated components as needed.
- •Directly manage contractors and/or RFPC staff to supervise project installation and conduct system startup.
- •Test new systems as needed and identify/correct all quality and safety issues.
- •Eliminate defects and errors with product and software development.
- •In conjunction with RFPC maintenance department and/or specialized. contractors, conduct/oversee routine maintenance of new equipment systems.
- •Install and support system upgrades to existing equipment as required.
- •Participate on Kaizens and other team events as requested.
- •Enter new data into production systems as required.
- •Support RFPC Lean Manufacturing programs.
- •Other duties as assigned by Manufacturing Engineer Manager.
What about the physical demands of the job?
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. You may also be asked to perform other duties outside of your function or trade, for which adequate training will be provided if necessary.
- •Regularly lift a minimum of fifty pounds (50lbs).
- •Frequently stand, walk, bend, crouch, push and pull.
- •Regularly exposed to work near moving mechanical parts and extreme heat (non-weather).
- •Occasionally exposed to airborne particles.
- •While on the shop floor, required PPE will be safety glasses, steel toed boots, ear plugs and gloves.
You may also be asked to perform other duties outside of your function or trade, for which adequate training will be provided if necessary.
Relocation assistance may be provided if eligibility
