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Junior Automation Engineer Jobs in Sumter, SC (NOW HIRING)

Quality Engineer (ERP Automation) Manager

Columbia, SC · On-site

$99K - $232K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... junior staff. You are accountable for securing project success and maintaining exceptional ... Responsibilities - Expertise in ERP Automation testing combined with Quality Engineering - Lead ...

Bring your energy to Aggreko as Junior Regional Controls Associate based in East Coast of the ... Identify and implement opportunities to enhance efficiency, automation and sustainability of the SO ...

Senior Controls Specialist

Columbia, SC · On-site

$90K - $125K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

... programming, integration, commissioning, and troubleshooting of complex building automation systems ... This position will serve as a technical leader, mentor junior team members, and provide expert ...

Software Engineer

Columbia, SC · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Software Development & Automation: Write clean, efficient code; adapt existing frameworks; and ... Experience mentoring junior developers, conducting peer code reviews, and contributing to a ...

US Tech - AI Engineering Senior Associate

Columbia, SC · On-site

$55K - $187K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... guide junior associates in their tasks - Uphold rigorous standards of quality and technical ... automation and CI/CD pipelines - Familiarity with LLMs and prompt engineering concepts ...

US Tech - FTO Senior Associate

Columbia, SC · On-site

$55K - $187K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... Mentoring junior team members to foster growth and technical skills development - Upholding ... Azure DevOps Server - Utilizing Python and Terraform for infrastructure automation - Managing ...

Junior Automation Engineer information

See Sumter, SC salary details

$38.3K

$66.3K

$99.7K

How much do junior automation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior automation engineer in Sumter, SC is $66,301.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,800.00 and $78,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a junior automation engineer?

A Junior Automation Engineer is an entry-level professional who helps design, develop, and maintain automated systems and processes within industries such as manufacturing, IT, or software development. They typically work under the guidance of senior engineers, assisting with tasks like programming automated equipment, troubleshooting system errors, and ensuring machinery operates efficiently. This role requires a basic understanding of automation technologies, programming languages, and problem-solving skills. Junior Automation Engineers often gain hands-on experience and training to advance their expertise and career within the automation field.

What does a junior automation engineer do?

A junior automation engineer develops processes for sophisticated automation equipment. In this role, you may design technologies for multiple platforms, including manufacturing and production. You set up and troubleshoot sophisticated automation tools and systems. Your responsibilities include procuring new equipment, defining specifications, unit testing, and implementation. Other duties include coding applications that enable physical devices or embed systems and debugging any problems that arise. You create procedures, provide training on related equipment and processes, interface with vendors and technical support on equipment issues and maintenance, and improve new production processes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a junior automation engineer?

To thrive as a Junior Automation Engineer, you need a foundation in programming (such as Python or Java), engineering principles, and a relevant degree such as electrical or mechanical engineering. Familiarity with automation tools like PLCs, SCADA systems, and testing frameworks, as well as certifications like ISA CAP, are typically expected. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies are essential for developing, testing, and maintaining automated systems efficiently and ensuring smooth operations.

What are typical projects or tasks a junior automation engineer might work on during their first year?

As a Junior Automation Engineer, you'll often support senior engineers by developing and testing automated scripts, maintaining documentation, and assisting with troubleshooting automation issues. You'll likely work on smaller components of larger automation projects, such as configuring test environments or updating automation frameworks. Collaboration with software developers, QA testers, and IT teams is common, as you help integrate automation solutions into existing workflows. Over time, you'll gain exposure to more complex tasks and have opportunities to take on greater responsibility as you build your skills.

What is the difference between Junior Automation Engineer vs Test Automation Engineer?

AspectJunior Automation EngineerTest Automation Engineer
Required CredentialsTypically a bachelor's degree in computer science or related field; some certifications like ISTQB are commonSimilar credentials; often holds certifications like ISTQB or Certified Test Automation Engineer
Work EnvironmentEntry-level role in software development teams, focusing on automation scripting and basic testingFocuses on designing, developing, and maintaining automated test scripts and frameworks
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across software companies, QA teams, and tech firms for automation tasksCommon in software testing firms, IT departments, and development teams emphasizing quality assurance

The main difference is that a Junior Automation Engineer is an entry-level role focusing on learning automation tools and scripting, while a Test Automation Engineer typically has more experience and responsibility for developing comprehensive testing frameworks and strategies.

What are the most commonly searched types of Automation Engineer jobs in Sumter, SC?

The most popular types of Automation Engineer jobs in Sumter, SC are:

What are popular job titles related to Junior Automation Engineer jobs in Sumter, SC?

For Junior Automation Engineer jobs in Sumter, SC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Junior Automation Engineer jobs in Sumter, SC look for?

The top searched job categories for Junior Automation Engineer jobs in Sumter, SC are:

What cities near Sumter, SC are hiring for Junior Automation Engineer jobs?

Cities near Sumter, SC with the most Junior Automation Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Junior Automation Engineer job openings in Sumter, SC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,301 per year, or $31.9 per hour.

Controls & Automation Engineer

Automationtechies

Sumter, SC

$74K - $98K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago


Job description

We are looking for a Controls & Automation Engineer who will play a key role in supporting plant automation initiatives and driving system integration across a highly automated production environment.

This position is responsible for implementing and supporting automation technologies, maintaining system interfaces, and ensuring automation systems are designed, tested, and executed to meet operational goals. This individual will partner closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, and IT teams to improve system performance, reliability, and efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

  • Support the installation, configuration, maintenance, and optimization of automation systems.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable safety, quality, and industry standards.
  • Conduct risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally to integrate automation solutions into plant operations.
  • Drive continuous improvement efforts to improve system reliability, efficiency, and performance.
  • Translate functional requirements into technical system configurations.
  • Serve as a technical point of contact for internal stakeholders and project teams.
  • Design electrical control panels and support hardware selection.
  • Develop and execute factory and field test plans for control systems and panels.
  • Coordinate resources to meet project goals related to quality, schedule, and budget.
  • Support system integration, startup, commissioning, and operational testing activities.
  • Support plant automation infrastructure, including controls hardware, software, and industrial networks.
  • Reduce downtime by troubleshooting and improving control systems and automation performance.
  • Lead the design and development of PLC, HMI, SCADA, and related control system applications.
  • Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior team members.
  • Perform additional duties as needed to support plant and project objectives.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field.
  • 5+ years of experience in industrial automation and controls engineering
  • Strong knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, industrial networks, and control system architecture.
  • Proven troubleshooting and optimization experience in automated systems.
  • Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to work across cross-functional teams.
  • Able to balance technical execution with project coordination responsibilities.