Automation Engineer EIT

Industrial Controls, PLC/HMI & Microwave Processing Equipment

NuWave Research Inc. | Vancouver, BC | Full-Time

About NuWave

NuWave Research develops industrial microwave systems used in drying, thermal processing, material treatment, and other advanced industrial applications.

Most people think microwaves are a solved problem. They are not.

At NuWave, we design and build custom industrial equipment where controls, automation, safety systems, and process performance all have to work together in real-world production environments.

The Opportunity

This is a hands‑on automation and controls role for someone who enjoys working close to the equipment, not just writing code from a desk.

You will support PLC and HMI development, controls documentation, electrical system integration, shop‑floor commissioning, field support, and customer troubleshooting. The existing role description specifically includes control system design for industrial vacuum microwave dehydration equipment and turnkey industrial process packages.

This role is well suited to someone who can move between:

• PLC/HMI programming.
• Electrical schematics and controls documentation.
• Sensors, actuators, VFDs, valves, motors, and industrial networks.
• System integration and commissioning.
• Customer support and troubleshooting.
• Practical hands‑on work with electrical and mechanical systems.

What You’ll Do

• Develop PLC and HMI programs for industrial equipment, with a focus on structured, maintainable controls architecture, referencing IEC 61131-3 programming using structured text language.
• Support control system design for industrial microwave processing equipment and other turnkey industrial process packages.
• Develop and maintain accurate controls documentation.
• Support cross‑functional project planning to help ensure programming, integration, and commissioning work is completed on schedule.
• Create, review, and interpret electrical schematics, and work hands‑on with electrical and mechanical systems.
• Debug and commission control systems during system integration at NuWave’s facility.
• Select, test, and integrate automation hardware and software components, including sensors and actuators.
• Support field commissioning of complete industrial microwave systems, including PLC, HMI, motor control, valves, sensors, and cleaning systems.
• Support R&D prototype development and testing activities.
• Provide remote support to customers for automation and controls troubleshooting.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and service teams to solve technical problems and support customer delivery.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a diploma in Engineering Technology with specialization in automation, industrial controls, or a related field.
• Minimum 2 years of controls and/or automation experience.
• Experience with PLC programming and VFDs.
• Experience programming HMIs at an intermediate level.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics at an intermediate level.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English, especially when discussing PLCs, HMIs, servo systems, industrial communication networks, and VFDs.
• Strong time management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high-quality deliverables.
• Ability to work positively and respectfully with colleagues, vendors, customers, and visitors.
• Willingness to support tasks outside the formal job description when required to meet project deadlines.

Highly Valued Experience

• Beckhoff Automation and TwinCAT 3 experience.
• Allen‑Bradley PLC experience.
• Experience with modern software development principles and object-oriented programming.
• Experience using version control or repository software.Experience with SQL Server setup, queries, or data handling.
• Experience in a manufacturing or industrial equipment environment.
• Experience supporting commissioning, installation, service, or troubleshooting of industrial equipment.
• Experience working with control cabinets, sensors, actuators, valves, motor control, industrial networks, and safety systems.

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Industrial microwave systems.
• Thermal processing equipment.
• Vacuum processing systems.
• Food, materials, recycling, biomass, mining, or advanced industrial processing equipment.
• Equipment startup, commissioning, and customer-facing field support.
• SolidWorks Electrical or similar electrical design tools.

Professional Designation

Candidates may fit this role through either an engineering or technologist pathway.

• Engineering candidates should be registered, or eligible to register, with EGBC as an EIT or P.Eng.
• Technologist candidates should have relevant automation, controls, electrical, or industrial technology training and experience.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to safely work in an industrial environment, including around stairs, ladders, stationary equipment, and moving industrial equipment.
• Ability to sit, stand, or walk for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lb / 11.3 kg.
• Ability to work in closed spaces and/or elevated areas with appropriate safety equipment.

What Success Looks Like

The successful candidate will help NuWave:

• Maintain and improve the reliability of automation and control systems.
• Reduce bottlenecks in programming, testing, and commissioning.
• Support smoother customer installations and service response.
• Improve controls documentation and long-term maintainability.
• Help deliver industrial microwave systems on time, on budget, and with strong customer support.

Why Join NuWave

• Work on unique industrial microwave processing equipment.
• Be part of a small, hands‑on engineering and manufacturing team.
• Get exposure to controls, automation, commissioning, customer support, and advanced industrial processes.
• See your work move from design and programming into real operating equipment.
• Contribute directly to systems being built, tested, shipped, commissioned, and supported in the field.

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