Automation Engineer Jobs in Athens, GA (NOW HIRING)

Serving the needs of all families with young children,Carter's Inc. is the largest North American apparel retailer exclusively for babies and young children, encompassing Carter's, OshKosh B'gosh, Skip*Hop and Little Planet brands. Meaningful work, constant learning, genuine people, and a community guided by core values that promote inclusion and innovation is in everything we do. There are many reasons to build your career at Carter's.

The Automation and Controls Technician supports the operational performance of automated material handling and process systems by maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing control systems, PLCs, HMIs, sensors, and related electrical components. This position works closely with engineering, maintenance, and operations teams to ensure systems run reliably, safely, and efficiently.

The position is a full-time, onsite position based at our Braselton Distribution Center.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on PLCs, control panels, VFDs, sensors, and industrial networks.

• Troubleshoot and resolve system faults involving Rockwell (Allen-Bradley) and Siemens PLCs, SCADA systems (e.g., Ignition), and HMI interfaces.

• Support the installation, testing, and commissioning of new equipment and system upgrades.

• Modify PLC logic and HMI screens to improve system functionality or respond to process changes.

• Maintain documentation including electrical schematics, panel layouts, and network diagrams.

• Respond to equipment failures promptly to minimize downtime.

• Assist in root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Ensure compliance with electrical safety and lockout/tagout (LOTO) protocols.

Must have:

• 1.5 + years of experience in industrial automation or control systems.

• Working knowledge of Rockwell Automation (ControlLogix/CompactLogix), Siemens TIA Portal, or similar PLC platforms.

• Hands-on experience with industrial electrical systems (480V, control circuits, motor starters).

• Familiarity with Ethernet/IP, DeviceNet, Modbus, and industrial networking.

• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and technical drawings.

• Strong troubleshooting skills and attention to detail.

Preferred skills and experience:

• Working knowledge of warehouse management systems such as Oracle or SAP.

• Understanding of TCP/IP networking, Linux/Windows server environments, and HMI/SCADA platforms.

• Familiarity with industrial control systems (PLCs, HMIs, SCADA) preferred, or a strong interest and ability to learn. Demonstrate excellence in programming, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of controls components and systems.

• Lead Courageously: Have a strong sense of personal values that align with our Company values

• Collaborates Broadly: Build cooperation, trust, and thrive in a consensus driven environment

• Customer Focus: Proactively seek opportunities to leverage data and fact-based insights to serve customers and/or internal clients

• Drive Growth: Set aggressive goals and implement plans precisely

• Cultivates Innovation: Respectfully challenge the "we've always done it this way" mentality and explore new ways to achieve desired outcomes

• Career Development: Success starts from within, and we have several paths from which you can choose to enhance your career evolution. From Carter's University to Toastmasters to mentorship programs and more, we encourage you to utilize these tools to elevate your professional prowess.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The duties described may be changed or reassigned at the discretion of management, and the employee may be required to perform duties that are not listed in the job description.

Carters is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.