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Drives Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

PLC, HMI, and variable speed drive programming * PC maintenance, troubleshooting and repair * Must have good communication skills and be able to multi-task * Some nights and weekends work may be ...

PLC, HMI, and variable speed drive programming * PC maintenance, troubleshooting and repair * Must have good communication skills and be able to multi-task * Some nights and weekends work may be ...

DevOps Engineer

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

$72.12 - $110.58/hr

Qualifications You Have: * 8+ years of experience in the development of tools and processes to drive DevOps or DevSecOps maturity by automating builds, regression testing, monitoring, and pushing ...

Qualifications You Have: * 8+ years of experience in the development of tools and processes to drive DevOps or DevSecOps maturity by automating builds, regression testing, monitoring, and pushing ...

You Have: * 8+ years of experience in the development of tools and processes to drive DevOps or DevSecOps maturity by automating builds, regression testing, monitoring, and pushing releases across ...

Qualifications You Have: * 8+ years of experience in the development of tools and processes to drive DevOps or DevSecOps maturity by automating builds, regression testing, monitoring, and pushing ...

DevOps Engineer

Aurora, CO

$72.12 - $110.58/hr

Qualifications You Have: * 8+ years of experience in the development of tools and processes to drive DevOps or DevSecOps maturity by automating builds, regression testing, monitoring, and pushing ...

DevOps Engineer

Aurora, CO

$72.12 - $110.58/hr

Qualifications You Have: * 8+ years of experience in the development of tools and processes to drive DevOps or DevSecOps maturity by automating builds, regression testing, monitoring, and pushing ...

MANUFACTURING ENGINEER Power Drives, Inc. is a Buffalo‑based manufacturer specializing in custom‑engineered hose, tube, and fluid conveyance systems for a wide range of industrial and mobile ...

Soni Resources is hiring an experienced Azure Cloud Engineer to drive DevOps excellence across our organization. This role will design, build, and support scalable Azure cloud infrastructure while ...

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working through complex calculations, leading technical projects, and using data to drive engineering decisions that support production, quality, and product ...

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working through complex calculations, leading technical projects, and using data to drive engineering decisions that support production, quality, and product ...

This is a highly visible role offering the opportunity to collaborate with global teams, influence product direction, and drive engineering excellence across innovative consumer products. What You'll ...

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Drives Engineer information

See salary details

$37K

$87.2K

$136.5K

How much do drives engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for drives engineer in the United States is $87,220.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,500.00 and $97,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Drives Engineer?

A Drives Engineer is a technical professional who specializes in the design, installation, programming, and maintenance of variable frequency drives (VFDs) and other motor control systems used in industrial automation. They work with electrical and mechanical systems to optimize motor performance, energy efficiency, and process control. Drives Engineers are often responsible for troubleshooting drive-related issues, integrating drives into larger automation systems, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Their expertise is crucial in industries such as manufacturing, oil and gas, water treatment, and transportation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Drives Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Drives Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, automation, and motor control systems, often supported by a relevant degree and practical experience. Proficiency in programming PLCs, configuring variable frequency drives (VFDs), and familiarity with industrial communication protocols are typically required, and certifications from manufacturers like Siemens or ABB are advantageous. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help in diagnosing issues and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These skills ensure efficient system performance, minimize downtime, and enable the successful delivery of automation projects.

What is the difference between Drives Engineer vs Motor Control Engineer?

AspectDrives EngineerMotor Control Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, certifications in drives or automationBachelor's in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, certifications in motor control or automation
Work EnvironmentIndustrial settings, manufacturing plants, automation systemsResearch labs, industrial automation, manufacturing
Industry UsageDesign, installation, and maintenance of variable frequency drives and automation systemsDesign and development of motor control algorithms and systems

Drives Engineers and Motor Control Engineers often share similar educational backgrounds and work environments. However, Drives Engineers focus on the integration and maintenance of drives and automation systems, while Motor Control Engineers specialize in developing motor control algorithms and systems. Both roles are essential in industrial automation, but their specific responsibilities and expertise areas differ.

What are the typical challenges Drives Engineers face when working on large-scale industrial automation projects?

Drives Engineers working on large-scale industrial automation projects often encounter challenges such as integrating drives with existing control systems, ensuring compatibility across different hardware and software platforms, and maintaining system reliability under demanding operational conditions. They may also need to troubleshoot complex issues on-site and coordinate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including electrical engineers, PLC programmers, and maintenance staff. Successful Drives Engineers develop strong problem-solving skills and clear communication abilities to navigate these technical and collaborative challenges.
More about Drives Engineer jobs
Infographic showing various Drives Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,220 per year, or $41.9 per hour.

Application Engineer Medium Voltage Drives

Yaskawa Electric America

Oak Creek, WI • On-site, Remote

$86K - $133K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Are you looking for a hands-on Applications role that will provide you with exposure to Applications, Development and Commercial aspects of a rapidly growing business?  Does the idea of being part of the fastest growing segment in an organization excite you?  Do you want to be a critical part of talented team?  If you answered yes to these questions, we may have the perfect role for you!

Yaskawa is currently seeking an Applications Engineer to fill a newly created role within our rapidly growing Medium Voltage Drives business unit. The Applications Engineer is a key role to the commercial and technical success of Yaskawa and touches all aspects of the MV Drives business including commercial specification, customer relationships & training, application support, and a number of other activities in accordance with company-wide strategic goals.

More specifically, the MV Applications Engineer will provide expertise in the following key areas:

Applications:

  • Act as the subject matter expert for all MV Drive applications including trace back analysis using drive software tool
  • Provide remote and local application support for sales, distribution and customers
  • Be knowledgeable of and incorporate relevant industry standards
  • When necessary, provide application assistance at the customer’s site
  • In conjunction with training, provide application specific training for customers
  • Audit and participate in market segment trade shows
  • Review customer specifications and orders to ensure requirements are understood and can be met
  • Coordinate project orders with engineering and provide project management as needed
  • Assist product marketing, engineering, and technical support organizations on various issues

Commercial:

  • Create quotations and work with Director of MV Drives to ensure profitability
  • Work with segment/industry manager to help with creating technical marketing material
  • Create, schedule, and present sales training material
  • Identify & seek out opportunities to increase revenues and/or decrease costs
  • Work closely with the MV sales team to help increase sales
  • Assist in managing incoming customer orders for the MV Drives group

Development:

  • Assist in performing QC and other conformance type tests as required
  • Assist product marketing, engineering, and technical support organizations on various issues
  • Participate in design reviews for valuable feedback on issues and enhancement
  • Coordinate with project management between 3rd party service providers and vendors
  • Solve problems with highly effective solutions and provide technical guidance to others
  • Apply broad knowledge of engineering principles and practices in broad areas of assignments

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering
  • 3+ yeas experience with VFD or similar industrial automation product applications. 
  • Ability effectively manage multiple competing priorities as well as the ability to plan, organize, set priorities, and resolve issues expeditiously to meet the customer demand rate.
  • Ability to read and comprehend schematics, wiring, and one line diagrams and support and implementation LABVIEW™ based products preferred.
  • Practical experience working within a product development quality management system
  • Excellent computer skills and proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

We offer the opportunity to experience the excitement, challenge and rewards of working in an entrepreneurial, fast growing, and industry-leading company.

Some key advantages of working at Yaskawa include: career opportunities in diverse areas, a highly competitive benefit package, including a generous 401(K) plan, profit sharing, corporate wide bonus plan and educational assistance program offering up to $10,000 a year for graduate courses. Additional information regarding the benefit package can be found at the following link. 
https://www.yaskawa.com/about-us/careers/benefits

EEO/MF/Disabled/Vet

If the Medium Voltage Applications Engineer sounds like a fit for your background and career goals, we would love to hear from you!