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Plc Programmer Jobs in Bellingham, WA (NOW HIRING)

Performing basic PLC troubleshooting. Education: * High school diploma or GED required. * PLC ... Programming and troubleshooting PLCs, HMIs, and industrial computers. * Installing and calibrating ...

Electrician

Burlington, WA · On-site

$26 - $46/hr

PWT, Burlington, WA is seeking an Electrician to work in our automated engineered wood ... Ability to navigate PLC ladder logic to aid in troubleshooting process failures. * Understand ...

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Plc Programmer information

See Bellingham, WA salary details

$42.1K

$83.8K

$116.4K

How much do plc programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for plc programmer in Bellingham, WA is $83,842.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,700.00 and $96,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a PLC programmer?

To thrive as a PLC Programmer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, automation, and programming logic, often supported by a relevant degree or technical diploma. Familiarity with PLC programming languages (such as Ladder Logic), HMI/SCADA systems, and manufacturer-specific software like Siemens STEP 7 or Allen-Bradley RSLogix is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring reliable automation solutions, minimizing downtime, and facilitating smooth collaboration with engineering teams.

Is a PLC programmer in demand?

PLC programmers are in high demand across manufacturing, automation, and industrial sectors due to the need for automation and control systems. Skilled professionals with knowledge of ladder logic, programming languages, and experience with PLC hardware are sought after, especially as industries modernize and upgrade existing systems.

What is the difference between Plc Programmer vs Automation Technician?

AspectPlc ProgrammerAutomation Technician
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in electrical engineering, automation, or related field; certifications in PLC programming are commonOften has technical diploma or associate degree; certifications in PLCs and control systems are beneficial
Work EnvironmentPrimarily office-based for programming; on-site for testing and commissioningPrimarily on-site, maintaining and troubleshooting automation systems
Industry UsageUsed across manufacturing, process control, and automation industriesCommon in manufacturing, industrial maintenance, and plant operations

While both roles work with automation systems, Plc Programmers focus on developing and testing PLC software, whereas Automation Technicians handle installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of automation equipment on-site. The roles often collaborate but differ in focus and responsibilities.

Do PLC programmers make good money?

PLC programmers typically earn competitive salaries that vary based on experience, location, and industry. Skilled programmers with certifications and knowledge of automation tools can command higher wages, especially in manufacturing, energy, and industrial sectors. Overall, the role offers solid earning potential for those with technical expertise in programmable logic controllers.

What are some common challenges a PLC programmer might face when working on industrial automation projects?

PLC Programmers often encounter challenges such as integrating new automation systems with legacy equipment, troubleshooting unexpected machine behavior, and ensuring minimal downtime during system upgrades. They also need to collaborate closely with electrical engineers, maintenance teams, and production staff to understand process requirements and resolve issues quickly. Adaptability and strong problem-solving skills are essential, as priorities can shift rapidly based on production demands.

What is a PLC programmer?

A PLC programmer oversees the programming of various machines functioning on programmable logic controller technology. PLC technology is a digital computer that controls electromagnetic processes, primarily in industrial equipment. As a PLC programmer, you are responsible for the programming and maintenance of these systems. Your duties include developing and programming new machines, reprograming existing machines, and diagnosing and repairing issues with PLC driven systems. You may work in various specialized industries, such as the medical, manufacturing, or agriculture fields. Your job is to create or update computerized machine systems so that the input, output, and control systems function optimally to meet the needs of your employer.

What job categories do people searching Plc Programmer jobs in Bellingham, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Plc Programmer jobs in Bellingham, WA are:
What cities near Bellingham, WA are hiring for Plc Programmer jobs? Cities near Bellingham, WA with the most Plc Programmer job openings:
Infographic showing various Plc Programmer job openings in Bellingham, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 91% In-person, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,842 per year, or $40.3 per hour.

VP of Automation Engineering

Janicki Industries, Inc.

Sedro Woolley, WA

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

Job Description: At Janicki Industries, we turn complex ideas into real-world solutions through advanced engineering and manufacturing. Our teams design and build innovative structures, tooling, and systems that support industries including aerospace, space, defense, marine, and architecture. Across every role, from engineers and technicians to operations and support teams, our people help solve challenging problems, push the limits of design and manufacturing, and create solutions that make a lasting impact. We are looking for a VP of Automation Engineering to join our growing team. This position is located on-site in Sedro-Woolley, Washington State. Department Summary: The VP of Automation Engineering is a senior executive responsible for defining, leading, and executing the organization's automation strategy across all aerospace manufacturing operations. This role has enterprise-wide accountability for the design, deployment, integration, and continuous improvement of automated production systems — including industrial robotics, automated fiber placement (AFP), automated drilling and fastening, CNC machining cells, vision systems, automated inspection, conveyor and material handling systems, and advanced motion control platforms. In the precision-driven, safety-critical aerospace manufacturing environment, the VP of Automation Engineering ensures that automation investments deliver measurable improvements in production throughput, dimensional quality, repeatability, labor efficiency, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) while maintaining full compliance with aerospace quality standards, safety regulations, and ITAR/EAR requirements. This leader serves as the organization's foremost authority on automation technology and serves as a key bridge between engineering, manufacturing operations, IT/OT, and capital finance. Roles & Responsibilities: Automation Strategy & RoadmapDevelop and own the enterprise automation technology roadmap, identifying opportunities to replace manual operations, reduce cycle time, improve quality, and scale production capacity through targeted automation investments across all facilities and value streams.Evaluate emerging automation technologies — collaborative robotics (cobots), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), AI-powered machine vision, digital twin simulation, adaptive control systems, and additive manufacturing integration — and build business cases for adoption aligned with strategic production goals.Establish automation investment prioritization frameworks, ROI thresholds, and portfolio governance processes in partnership with the CFO and VP of Capital Finance.Present automation strategy, capital investment proposals, and program performance to COO, CEO, and Board of Directors.Benchmark the organization's automation maturity against aerospace industry peers and identify capability gaps that represent competitive risk or opportunity. Robotics & Automated Systems EngineeringLead the engineering design, simulation, integration, and commissioning of robotic workcells and automated production systems for aerostructures manufacturing — including carbon fiber layup, automated fiber placement (AFP), automated tape laying (ATL), drilling, fastening, trimming, NDT, and final assembly operations.Oversee selection, specification, and integration of industrial robots (6-axis, SCARA, delta, gantry, and collaborative) from leading OEM suppliers (Fanuc, KUKA, ABB, Yaskawa, Universal Robots) with aerospace manufacturing processes.Direct end-effector and tooling design for robotic systems, ensuring tooling is optimized for the specific material, geometry, and process requirements of aerospace composite and metallic structures.Ensure all robotic and automated systems are designed and validated to meet aerospace dimensional accuracy, repeatability, and surface quality requirements, including compliance with customer-specific tooling and process specifications.Oversee Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) for all new automated systems, ensuring systems perform to specification after production release. Controls, PLC, SCADA & Motion SystemsDirect the design, programming, and maintenance of PLC-based machine control systems, SCADA platforms, HMI interfaces, and motion control architectures across automated production equipment and facilities.Establish standards for PLC programming languages (IEC 61131-3), control system architecture, network topology, and cybersecurity requirements for operational technology (OT) systems consistent with NIST and ICS-CERT guidance.Oversee integration of automation control systems with manufacturing execution systems (MES), ERP platforms, and IIoT data collection infrastructure to enable real-time production monitoring, traceability, and performance analytics.Lead machine safety engineering efforts, ensuring all automated systems comply with ANSI/RIA R15.06, ISO 10218, ISO/TS 15066 (collaborative robots), OSHA machine guarding standards, and customer safety requirements.Manage control system lifecycle, including obsolescence mitigation, spare parts strategy, firmware/software version control, and backup/recovery planning for critical production automation. Digital Manufacturing & IIoT IntegrationChampion the integration of automation systems into the organization's digital manufacturing ecosystem, including MES, digital twin platforms, quality management systems, and real-time production analytics dashboards.Lead deployment of IIoT sensors, edge computing devices, and data acquisition systems on automated production equipment to capture real-time OEE, process parameter, and quality data.Partner with the VP of Manufacturing Technology and IT/OT teams to establish a secure, scalable OT network architecture that enables connectivity between shop floor automation and enterprise systems while protecting against cybersecurity threats.Develop digital twin models of automated workcells and production lines to support offline programming, process simulation, capacity modeling, and new program introduction planning.Drive data-driven continuous improvement of automated systems using machine learning, statistical process control (SPC), and predictive maintenance analytics derived from IIoT data streams. Automated Inspection & Quality IntegrationOversee deployment of automated inspection and metrology systems including coordinate measuring machines (CMM), laser trackers, photogrammetry systems, structured light scanners, automated ultrasonic testing (AUT), and machine vision inspection systems.Ensure automated inspection systems are integrated with the quality management system (QMS) to provide real-time, traceable dimensional and NDT data that supports AS9100 and customer-specific first article inspection (FAI/AS9102) requirements.Partner with quality engineering to develop automated inspection plans, acceptance criteria, and Statistical Process Control (SPC) programs for critical-to-quality (CTQ) characteristics on automated production lines.Lead deployment of in-process quality monitoring and closed-loop feedback control on automated systems to detect and correct process deviations after they result in nonconforming product.Support qualification and validation of automated inspection systems for use on safety-critical, flight-critical, and NADCAP-regulated processes. Capital Project ExecutionLead execution of major automation capital projects from concept through commissioning, including scope definition, vendor selection, contract negotiation, design review, installation management, acceptance testing, operator training, and production release.Manage automation capital project portfolios with budgets ranging from individual workcell investments ($500K–$5M) to multi-system facility automation programs ($10M–$50M+), ensuring projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and to performance specification.Establish rigorous project management discipline for automation capital projects — including stage-gate reviews, risk registers, change control, and vendor performance management.Coordinate automation installation and commissioning activities with manufacturing operations to minimize production disruption, including detailed cutover planning, parallel run strategies, and contingency planning.Conduct post-commissioning performance reviews for all major automation investments, validating that ROI, OEE, quality, and throughput targets are achieved and documenting lessons learned. Maintenance, Reliability & Continuous ImprovementEstablish and govern a Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) program for all automated production systems, including preventive maintenance schedules, predictive maintenance (PdM) programs, and condition-based monitoring strategies.Partner with maintenance and operations leadership to develop spare parts strategies, critical equipment redundancy plans, and Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) targets for all production-critical automated systems.Drive continuous improvement of automated system OEE — analyzing availability, performance, and quality losses, identifying root causes, and leading cross-functional improvement initiatives.Establish automation engineering standards, design-for-maintainability guidelines, and documentation requirements (electrical schematics, pneumatic diagrams, O&M manuals, spare parts lists) that enable effective long-term system support.Lead automation failure analysis and corrective action for recurring system downtime, quality escapes, or safety incidents related to automated equipment. Workforce, Safety & Organizational DevelopmentBuild, lead, and develop a high-performing automation engineering organization of 20–60+ engineers and technicians spanning robotics, controls, systems integration, and automation project management disciplines.Establish competency frameworks, training programs, and professional development pathways for automation engineers, including support for certifications (FANUC, ABB, Siemens, Rockwell, TUV Functional Safety Engineer).Champion a strong safety culture within the automation engineering team, ensuring all designs, installations, and modifications are executed with rigorous attention to machine safety, electrical safety, and human-robot collaboration safety.Partner with HR and operations leadership to develop workforce transition plans that support the introduction of automation — including retraining programs, role redesign, and change management strategies that maintain employee engagement.Represent the organization in industry consortia, automation technology partnerships, and supplier development forums (ARM Institute, AIA, SAE, AMRC). Basic Qualifications: EducationBachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline required.Master's degree in Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or Business Administration (MBA) strongly preferred.Professional Engineer (PE) license is a plus; TUV Functional Safety Engineer (FSE) certification highly desirable. Experience 15+ years of progressive experience in automation engineering, robotics systems integration, or manufacturing technology, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.Substantial hands-on experience designing, deploying, and operating automated manufacturing systems in an aerospace, defense, or precision manufacturing environment is required.Deep technical expertise in at least two of the following: industrial robotics, automated fiber placement (AFP/ATL), automated drilling and fastening, CNC automation, automated inspection/metrology, or automated assembly systems for aerostructures.Proven track record managing large-scale automation capital projects ($10M+) from concept through production release.Experience with IIoT integration, MES connectivity, and digital manufacturing platforms in an aerospace production environment.Prior experience leading automation programs subject to AS9100, NADCAP, and customer-specific quality and process approval requirements strongly preferred. Technical SkillsExpert knowledge of industrial robotics platforms and programming environments (FANUC TP/Karel, KUKA KRL, ABB RAPID, Yaskawa Inform, Universal Robots URScript) and robotic simulation tools (RoboDK, DELMIA, CATIA Robotics, Tecnomatix).Strong proficiency in PLC programming (Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff) per IEC 61131-3 standards; experience with motion control systems (Siemens SINAMICS, Rockwell Kinetix, Beckhoff EtherCAT).Familiarity with SCADA platforms (Ignition, FactoryTalk, WinCC), MES integration, and IIoT data architecture (MQTT, OPC-UA, edge computing).Working knowledge of machine safety standards: ANSI/RIA R15.06, ISO 10218-1/2, ISO/TS 15066, IEC 62061, ISO 13849, NFPA 79.Experience with automated inspection technologies: CMM, laser tracker, photogrammetry, structured light scanning, AUT, phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT), and machine vision systems.Familiarity with aerospace manufacturing processes: composite layup and cure, automated fiber placement, precision machining, drilling and fastening, and aerostructure assembly.Understanding of ITAR/EAR export control regulations as they apply to automation technology, control system software, and international supplier or customer interactions. Leadership CompetenciesVisionary technology leader who combines deep automation engineering expertise with strategic business acumen to drive competitive manufacturing advantage.Decisive, results-oriented executive who delivers complex capital projects on schedule and within budget while managing technical risk in a safety-critical environment.Collaborative cross-functional leader who builds strong partnerships with operations, quality, IT/OT, finance, and program management to realize the full value of automation investments.Effective communicator — able to translate complex automation concepts and capital investment proposals into clear, compelling business cases for executive and board audiences.Strong safety mindset with demonstrated commitment to machine safety, functional safety engineering, and human-robot collaboration safety as non-negotiable design requirements. Detailed Wage Information Salary range for this role is between $275,000 - $325,000 plus discretionary bonus, 401(k) matching, vacation, and health benefits. Employees can also receive additional pay for off shifts. The range provided is Janicki’s estimate of the base compensation for this role. Actual amount offered will be based on job-related and non-discriminatory factors such as experience, location, education, training, skills, and abilities BENEFITS Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employer contribution Disability insurance as well as Life/AD&D insurance HSA (Health Savings Account) with employer contribution and FSA (Flexible Savings Account) 401k with employer matching Paid time off and paid holidays (including two