Automation Applications Specialist

Position Opening - Automation Applications Specialist

DuroByte Inc. is an automation controls company with offices in the USA and Canada. Our Canadian headquarters is based in Tecumseh, Ontario. We deliver complete automation solutions ranging from controls programming and system retrofits to fully integrated, turn-key automation equipment. Our team combines practical engineering, modern technology, and responsive customer support to solve real manufacturing challenges.

Position Summary

The Automation Applications Specialist works at the intersection of customer requirements, technical solution development, and project execution. This customer-facing role assesses manufacturing and automation needs, develops practical system concepts, supports estimating and proposal preparation, and helps transition approved solutions into successful projects. The successful candidate will combine technical automation knowledge with strong communication and commercial awareness to develop solutions that are technically sound, clearly defined, and aligned with customer expectations, schedule, and budget.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Meet with customers, sales representatives, and internal technical teams to understand production goals, process requirements, constraints, specifications, and acceptance criteria.
• Translate customer requirements into automation concepts, functional descriptions, preliminary system architectures, line layouts, equipment scopes, and technical solution strategies.
• Develop concept-level solutions using appropriate automation technologies, including PLCs, HMIs, robotics, motion control, machine vision, sensors, actuators, industrial networks, safety systems, and data collection platforms.
• Support pre-sales activities by preparing technical scopes, concept designs, project assumptions, exclusions, preliminary bills of materials, labour estimates, schedules, risk assessments, and cost inputs.
• Review customer requests for quotation, specifications, standards, drawings, and process documentation to identify technical requirements, commercial risks, and missing information.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, controls, robotics, vision, software, purchasing, and project-management teams to validate feasibility and develop complete, buildable solutions.
• Present proposed concepts and technical recommendations to customers and internal stakeholders, clearly explaining functionality, benefits, limitations, risks, and alternatives.
• Architect hardware and software solutions to ensure the proposed concpet meets performance, maintainability, safety, customer-standard, and lifecycle requirements.
• Participate in design reviews, project handoffs, technical clarification meetings, factory acceptance testing, installation, debugging, commissioning, and customer acceptance activities.
• Provide post-deployment support, helping identify root causes, recommend corrective actions, and optimize system performance.
• Create scope change documentation and technical deviations, and support the preparation of engineering-change quotations.
• Stay current with industrial automation technologies, supplier capabilities, emerging applications, and industry trends that may improve DuroByte solutions.

Job Requirements (Education/Experience)

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Industrial Automation, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Three or more years of relevant experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, applications engineering, systems integration, machine building, or technical sales support.
• Demonstrated knowledge of PLC-based automation systems, industrial controls, robotics, motion control, machine vision, sensors, actuators, safety systems, and industrial communication networks.
• Ability to interpret customer specifications, electrical and mechanical drawings, process documentation, and technical standards.
• Experience developing automation concepts, technical proposals, cost estimates, functional specifications, or preliminary system designs is strongly preferred.
• Working familiarity with major automation platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Omron, FANUC, ABB, Yaskawa, KUKA, Cognex, Keyence, or comparable technologies is an asset.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to balance technical performance, project risk, cost, schedule, and customer expectations.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple opportunities, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications; experience with estimating, CRM, CAD, ERP, or project-management tools is an asset.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, collaborative, and able to work effectively with limited supervision.

Employment Details

• Full-time, permanent position based primarily at DuroByte's Tecumseh, Ontario office.
• Customer-site and project travel within Canada, the United States, and potentially internationally may be required.
• A valid driver's licence and passport are required.
• Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada and able to satisfy customer-site access requirements, which may include background checks or drug screening.
• Occasional evening, weekend, or extended-hour work may be required during proposal deadlines, installations, launches, or commissioning activities.
• DuroByte offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.

Why Join DuroByte

• Work directly on practical, custom automation solutions for leading industrial customers.
• Contribute from early concept development through implementation and customer acceptance.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering, project, and commercial teams.
• Take ownership of technically challenging applications with visible impact on customer operations.
• Grow within an innovative, results-driven organization operating in the Windsor-Detroit manufacturing corridor.

How to Apply

Vice President - Curtis Laurie - ***email_hidden***

Compensation: $80,000–$100,000 CAD annually, based on experience, plus benefits.

Vacancy Status: This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Use of Artificial Intelligence: DuroByte does not use artificial intelligence to screen, assess, or select applicants.