Supports industrial automation and building control projects through control system design, HMI/SCADA configuration, PLC/DDC programming, testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and documentation. The intern assists with drawings, control logic, device verification, factory acceptance testing, site startup, safety compliance, and quality control under senior engineer guidance.
Automation Engineer InternJob DescriptionExperienceSkillsResponsibilities
An Automation Engineer Intern is a student or recent graduate who works in a temporary role as an entry-level engineering professional responsible for supporting the development, design, and implementation of industrial control systems for building automation projects. This role will help the candidate gain practical, real-world experience by combining control system design, HMI/SCADA development, PLC/DDC programming, and/or field commissioning to ensure the successful delivery of projects under the guidance of senior engineers. An Automation Engineer Intern will learn how a business runs while focusing on learning company standards, control system architecture, and software integration which contributes to a real client project.
Education- Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree (preferred) or Associate degree in any of the following fields: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Trade school certificates or equivalent technical training combined with relevant experience may also be considered.
- 0–1 years of experience in industrial automation, instrumentation and controls, PLC/DDC programming, or a related industrial engineering field.
- Familiarity with PLC/DDC and HMI configuration, industrial networking, and/or HVAC systems is a plus.
- Familiarity with construction site environments and field devices (instrumentation, valves, drives) is a plus.
Technical Skills:
- As an Automation Engineer Intern, you will build your technical skills and gain hands-on experience in several of the following areas.
- Systems Knowledge: Basic understanding of HVAC and building automation systems (BAS).
- Control System Design: Ability to read electrical schematics, P&IDs, control system documentation, and network architecture drawings.
- HMI/SCADA: Basic experience with HMI and SCADA platforms (e.g., Rockwell, Ignition, Wonderware) and the ability to instantiate standard graphics, alarms, and trends.
- PLC/DDC: Basic understanding of PLC platforms (e.g. Allen-Bradley, Siemens) and at least one industrial automation programming language, such as Ladder Logic.
- Networking & Infrastructure: Basic understanding of industrial protocols (Modbus, BACnet, Ethernet/IP) and OT network design.
- Testing: Familiarity with troubleshooting techniques and tools such as simulators and multimeters for software testing and point-to-point device verification.
Soft Skills:
- Learning Mindset: A strong eagerness to learn new technologies and adapt to evolving engineering standards.
- Problem-Solving: A solution-oriented mindset with the ability to perform strategic debugging and know when to escalate issues.
- Attention to Detail: High commitment to accuracy in technical drawings, naming conventions, and project documentation.
- Communication: Ability to provide concise status updates and define technical challenges to project leads and team members.
- Leadership: Ability to collaborate effectively within multi-disciplinary teams.
- Control System Design: Assist with product selection for common automation systems and applications and support generation of accurate control system drawings.
- HMI/SCADA Configuration: Instantiate graphics and configure HMI/SCADA screens in alignment with company standards.
- PLC/DDC Programming: Support basic PLC and DDC programming tasks such as tag configuration and control logic using standard templates, reusable code libraries, or custom code.
- Testing and Commissioning: Assist with testing, device verification, and troubleshooting during bench testing, Factory Acceptance Testing, and site startup activities. Travel to client locations may be possible.
- Documentation: Assist with development of accurate project documentation, including IO lists, Sequence of Operations, Functional Specifications, test protocols, and redline markups.
- Safety & Compliance: Follow all office and site safety procedures and participate in mandatory safety training (e.g., OSHA-10).
- Quality Control: Ensure all document and code deliverables meet established quality standards for right-first-time accuracy and on-time delivery.
Hoffman & Hoffman, Inc. Charlotte, North Carolina, USA Office
1133 Upper Asbury Ave, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, 28206 1510
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