What are the responsibilities and job description for the PLC Programmer/Controls Engineer position at Swoon?
PLC Programmer / Controls Engineer
Location: Plano, TX (Fully Onsite)
Contract: 6 months (Possible Extension)
Pay: $90/hr
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 40 hours per week, onsite in the automation labs. Optional OT available.
We are supporting an innovative global restaurant technology group that is building next-generation automated equipment. Their R&D automation lab is developing a new prototype system, and they are looking for a hands-on PLC Programmer / Controls Engineer to join the team.
What You’ll Do:
• Develop ladder logic programs from scratch for a fully automated prototype system
• Collaborate closely with mechanical and electrical design engineers to select sensors, motors, and key control components
• Create electrical BOMs and wiring diagrams; support panel wiring and device integration
• Program and debug stepper motors, sensors, and a 3-axis motion system
• Test, tune, and troubleshoot sequence logic, motion control, fault handling, and safety functions
• Support hands-on buildout, wiring, and onsite experimentation within the automation lab
Required Experience:
• 5 years of PLC programming experience
• Strong ladder logic development and debugging skills
• Automation Direct PLC experience (ProductivitySuite) is highly preferred
• Experience with stepper motors, gantry or 3-axis motion systems, and sensor integration
• Ability to read, modify, and create wiring diagrams
• Hands-on panel wiring and electrical troubleshooting skills
• Comfortable working onsite in an R&D lab environment
Nice to Have:
• Experience with recipe or data management, remote logging, or MQTT
• Familiarity with safety relays and basic functional safety concepts
• Exposure to ANSI, CE, TUV, or UL standards
Who Thrives in This Role:
A controls engineer who enjoys building and testing new equipment from the ground up, loves hands-on automation work, and can take ownership of PLC logic and motion integration from concept through test.
If you have strong PLC programming experience and want to contribute to a high-impact automation prototype, we’d like to connect.
Salary : $90
