Senior Control Systems Software Designer

Join our globally growing team at ATS Industrial Automation where we create complex automation solutions at the highest level that sustainably impact lives around the world. 

At ATS, a publicly traded global company with a proud 40-year history, we help drive the future with our factory-wide automation solutions. At ATS Industrial Automation, what we do matters - both to our customers and to their customers. With 1000 skilled employees around the world, we design, build and service mission-critical automated assembly and test solutions for mobility, nuclear and specialty automation. Our customers are leaders in their industries and rely on us to deliver what we promise - on time and on budget. Combined with our broad product portfolio, financial strength and global presence, we provide our customers with the best automation solutions wherever and whenever they need them.

Job Description

Total Compensation & Benefits
• Pay Rate: $48.08 - $66.11
• Eligible for Annual Incentive Bonus
• Stock Purchase Plan
• 3 Weeks Vacation
• Health Care Benefits + $600 Health Care Spending Account
• Employee Engagement Events (Employee BBQ’s and lunches, weekly treat day, etc.)
• Employee Development Programs

High ownership. Deep technical execution. Trusted delivery.

Controls Software Designers on our team create robust, production‑ready automation solutions that operate in demanding industrial environments. We work on complex systems where reliability, performance, and execution quality are critical. Designers stay closely connected to system behavior during integration and site installation, using practical experience to refine designs and elevate future solutions.

Our projects support consumer products, specialized industrial equipment, automotive manufacturing, and other high‑performance production environments.

What You’ll Do

• Provide technical input into system concepts and final design solutions, ensuring control strategies align with overall system requirements
• Design and implement control software (PLC‑ and/or PC‑based)aligned with customer specifications and standard ATS programming methods, including program architecture, sequencing, fault handling, safety control, diagnostics, and recovery strategies.
• Perform full system integration , both in‑house and at customer sites as required. Integrate with motion systems, vision systems, safety devices, lasers, sensors, feeders, printers, and other peripheral equipment .
• Work cross‑functionally with design, assembly, and management teams to deliver cohesive automation systems.
• Mentor and support junior team members by sharing technical expertise, providing guidance on best practices, and fostering their professional growth.
• Execute work with awareness of project schedules, scope and budget constraints , raising concerns early when technical decisions may impact delivery.

Responsibilities

How You’ll Work

• Take ownership of assigned software scope and deliver against agreed project loading and milestone commitments.
• Operate as a self‑starter , taking initiative to move work forward and resolve issues with minimal supervision.
• Support multiple concurrent projects without sacrificing quality or predictability.
• Accurately track time to project and indirect codes and communicate risks, scope changes, conflicts, or capacity constraints early and consistently.
• Develop software in compliance with approved engineering procedures, quality requirements, and review practices.

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For

• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in industrial automation, specializing in controls software design for complex PLC‑ and robot‑based systems.
• Demonstrated experience originating and structuring PLC programs , including sequencing, safety behavior, diagnostics, and recovery logic.
• Proven ability to independently deliver software scope across concurrent projects with minimal oversight
• Strong PLC/software architecture, troubleshooting, and root‑cause problem‑solving skills.
• Clear, professional communication in both technical and customer‑facing situations.

Nice to Have

• Post‑secondary Engineering Degree or Diploma (Electrical, Automation, Systems, Computer Engineering, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with industrial network architectures, including VLAN segmentation, managed switches, and PLC‑based Ethernet networks (PROFINET / EtherNet/IP)
• Hands‑on experience with:
  • Rockwell Automation (Studio 5000, ControlLogix, GuardLogix, FactoryTalk)
  • Siemens (TIA Portal, S7‑1500, PROFINET / PROFIBUS, distributed safety)

What Success Looks Like

• Software programs are clean, well structured, maintainable, and purpose‑built
• Integration issues are anticipated and addressed early
• Software behaves predictably across normal operation, fault conditions, and recovery
• Technical decisions balance quality, schedule, and practical constraints
• Work is delivered on schedule and within project budget expectations
• Your input is trusted by project teams

Why should you join ATS Industrial Automation?

• Be a part of an engaged, empowered and innovative global workforce
• We offer a robust total rewards package- Competitive starting salaries, comprehensive health and dental benefits, overtime pay, employee bonus, RSP matching, Employee Share Purchase Program
• We provide awesome work perks such as treat days, gourmet coffee and beverages, subsidized breakfast and lunches in our cafeteria, employee referral bonuses and lots more.
• We are intentional about your professional growth and development through internal career opportunities and our educational reimbursement program.

The Compensation offered will be based on the local job market and may vary depending on factors such as the job-related knowledge, skills, experience of the selected candidate, as well as other objective business considerations. Subject to these considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, such as an annual cash incentive in addition to a full range of medical, retirement, and/or other benefits. Details of these benefit plans will be provided when the selected job candidate receives an offer of employment.

This role represents an existing vacancy within the organization.

ATS is in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA), 2005 and will, upon request, assist those who may require specific accommodations due to personal disability. We would ask those who require assistance to notify our offices as soon as possible if accommodation is necessary.

The ATS applicant tracking system may utilize AI software with pre‑defined, rule‑based filters to organize and manage application materials. Rule‑based filters operate solely on fixed criteria and do not perform autonomous evaluation or generate independent recommendations. All hiring decisions continue to involve human review and judgment. 

 If you're excited about this role, but do not meet all the qualifications listed above, you are still encouraged to apply.