Automation Engineer Jobs in North Carolina

Automation Engineer jobs in North Carolina are in strong and growing demand, concentrated in advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and semiconductor fabrication, with openings at every level from entry-level controls technician to senior systems architect. The heaviest hiring activity is centered in the Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, and Greensboro-Winston-Salem corridors, where companies like Honeywell, Siemens, and Merck have deep, lasting footprints. The most sought-after specialties are PLC programming, robotics integration, and process automation for life sciences and discrete manufacturing environments. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles116+
Top employerProAutomated
Top cityCharlotte, NC
Cities hiring36
Work type63% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 116+ Automation Engineer jobs

First Citizens Bank
Systems Engineer III - Automation (Remote)
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First Citizens Bank
Added 5d ago
Systems Engineer III - Automation (Remote)
First Citizens Bank
Raleigh, North Carolina
IT Support & Systems Administration
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Technical Product & Program Management
Remote (US)
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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Cognizant
Quality Engineer (AI Automation)
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Cognizant
Added 5d ago
Quality Engineer (AI Automation)
Cognizant
Charlotte, North Carolina
Customer Service
Customer Support
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in engineering
10,000+

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Cognizant
Quality Engineer (AI Automation)
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Cognizant
Added 5d ago
Quality Engineer (AI Automation)
Cognizant
Durham, North Carolina
Backend Engineering
Full-stack Engineering
Software Engineering
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in engineering
10,000+

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Hoffman & Hoffman Inc
Automation Engineer - PLC
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Hoffman & Hoffman Inc
Added 5d ago
Automation Engineer - PLC
Hoffman & Hoffman Inc
Charlotte, North Carolina
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering
Product Management
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

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Northrop Grumman
Test Automation Software Engineer – Level 5
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Northrop Grumman
Added 5d ago
Test Automation Software Engineer – Level 5
Northrop Grumman
Morrisville, North Carolina
Software Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
UI/UX Design
$169k - $254k/yr
Master's degree
10,000+

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See All 116+ Automation Engineer Jobs in North Carolina

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Automation Engineer Jobs by City in North Carolina

Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Holly Springs
14 jobs
Durham
11 jobs
Clayton
5 jobs
Morrisville
4 jobs
Monroe
3 jobs
Wilson
2 jobs
Concord
2 jobs

Automation Engineer Job Market in North Carolina

A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

ProAutomated
ProAutomated7 open roles
FujiFilm
FujiFilm6 open roles
Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk6 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Distribution & Wholesale
  • Manufacturing

What North Carolina Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in automation engineer jobs across North Carolina.

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a closely related field
  • Hands-on experience programming PLCs such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Mitsubishi platforms
  • Proficiency with industrial robotics integration and SCADA or HMI system configuration
  • Familiarity with GMP environments preferred for pharmaceutical and life sciences manufacturing roles
  • Knowledge of instrumentation, process control loops, and control panel design and commissioning
  • Strong troubleshooting skills for automated production lines in high-volume manufacturing settings

Automation Engineer Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a automation engineer in North Carolina?

Most automation engineer roles in North Carolina require a bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering from an accredited program. North Carolina does not require a state-specific license for the automation engineer title itself, but roles in regulated industries like pharmaceuticals or utilities may expect a Professional Engineer license issued through the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors. Certifications from organizations such as ISA in control systems or robotics strengthen candidacy significantly.

How much do automation engineers make in North Carolina?

Automation engineers in North Carolina earn a median of about $112,450 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $63,130 for the lowest 10% to over $173,370 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire automation engineers in North Carolina?

Employers hiring automation engineers in North Carolina right now include ProAutomated, FujiFilm, and Novo Nordisk, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. North Carolina's concentration of pharmaceutical manufacturers in the Research Triangle and large-scale discrete manufacturers near Charlotte means demand is consistent across both regulated and non-regulated production environments.

Which North Carolina cities have the most automation engineer jobs?

Charlotte, Raleigh, and Holly Springs account for the largest share of automation engineer openings in North Carolina. Charlotte draws heavy demand from advanced manufacturing and energy companies headquartered there, Raleigh-Durham is anchored by pharmaceutical and semiconductor operations in the Research Triangle, and Greensboro and Winston-Salem generate steady openings from food processing and aerospace suppliers concentrated in the Piedmont Triad.

Are there remote automation engineer jobs in North Carolina?

Yes, but they're rare. Automation engineering is fundamentally a hands-on discipline requiring physical presence on production floors, in control rooms, or at client sites for commissioning and troubleshooting. About 38% of automation engineer openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions tend to cover design, programming review, or project management responsibilities that don't require daily on-site work.

How can I get hired as a automation engineer in North Carolina with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a controls or instrumentation technician role at one of North Carolina's large manufacturers, particularly in the pharmaceutical corridor around Durham and Raleigh or the automotive supply chain near Charlotte. Community colleges like Wake Tech and Central Piedmont offer applied automation and mechatronics programs that large employers recognize. An ISA Certified Control Systems Technician credential and demonstrated PLC lab work or a capstone project give candidates without industry experience a concrete edge.

Where can I find and apply to automation engineer jobs in North Carolina?

You can find and apply to automation engineer jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to the state. Search the listings, find roles that match your experience and target location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 116+ Automation Engineer Jobs in North Carolina

Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Automation Engineer Jobs