Automation Specialist Jobs in Washington
Automation Specialist jobs in Washington are concentrated in the Seattle metro, Redmond, and Bellevue, where employers like Boeing, Microsoft, and Amazon maintain large engineering and operations footprints that drive consistent demand. The most sought-after specialties include PLC programming, industrial robotics integration, SCADA systems, and process control engineering, with openings at every level from associate automation technician to senior controls engineer. Washington's aerospace manufacturing base and its dense technology sector make it one of the more active markets for automation talent in the country. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Twelve is pioneering a new industrial era with carbon transformation. We use electrochemistry to turn CO2 into critical products—fuels, chemicals, and materials—that today rely on fossil fuels. Our mission: to fundamentally change how the world makes its essential goods by transforming CO2 from a liability into a resource, building resilient, fossil-free supply chains, and advancing next-generation industry.
Twelve is pioneering a new industrial era with carbon transformation. Using electrochemistry, we convert CO₂ into essential products—fuels, chemicals, and materials—that traditionally rely on fossil resources. Our mission is to transform CO₂ from a liability into a valuable resource, build resilient fossil‑free supply chains, and accelerate the next generation of sustainable industry. Currently Twelve has constructed the AirPlant One facility in Moses Lake and has plans to expand the technology experience to the next AirPlant 2 facility.
The Senior Automation PLC Controls Specialist is a Senior experienced hands-on PLC Controls Specialist with Rockwell, PlantPAx and FactoryTalk PLC/HMI experience. The candidate will execute configuration activities with the control system as well as system updates and system maintenance activities as part of the Moses Lake Operations and Maintenance team. The candidate will provide troubleshooting of developed control applications to align expected responses to actual responses and provide corrective configuration support to correct the system. The Automation PLC Controls Specialist shall have experience with OT (Operational Technologies) systems related to Rockwell systems and Third-Party Interface communication protocols that communicate in those systems. In addition, familiarity with field sensors and control elements would be an asset.
As a Sr. Automation PLC Controls Specialist, you will be part of a dynamic operations team that has responsibilities to produce a variety of energy-related products to market and help the pilot plants different operational scenarios. The candidate will develop repour with suppliers of the control system elements to understand the Automation system’s technical growth direction and evaluate whether the opportunity is a fit for Moses Lake Operations.
The AirPlant One facility at Moses lake WA is a proving ground for this type of process and the candidate will be expected to participate in the learnings from this experience into the next AirPlant 2 facility. Experience with other control systems would be an asset here.
This position can be either as a permanent employee or a direct contract position.
What You Will Do
Be a member of the Operations and Maintenance team at site and provide support as requested.
Develop understanding of the Safety aspects of the Integrated Control and Safety System, (ICSS) and act as owner of that system as part of the operations team to ensure its inherent safety concepts are maintained and supported thru Technology developments.
Lead all Automation and Control activities including hands on configuration and documentation updates related to the AirPlant One facility.
Partner with Engineering, Construction, Project Management, Finance, and Legal to align Control System activities with capital project execution.
Serve as the OT interface to IT teams by translating plant control-system requirements into secure network, identity/access, patching, remote-access, asset-inventory, and cybersecurity practices that protect production uptime, safety, and data integrity.
Interface with Rockwell resources, as supplier of the controls technology, and the Main Automation Contractor resources that provided design and configuration for the installed system.
Who You Are
Degree in related faculty to Process Automation or Secondary education with extensive field experience in Process Automation with minimum 8+ years’ experience in this field.
Extensive experience in an Operational environment and has some Project execution experience.
Experience working with Engineering, Procurement & Construction environments would be an asset.
Experience with integration of control systems from vendor packages into the plant control system.
Experience with OT, (Operational Technologies), and related networking
Working knowledge of IT/OT convergence practices, including industrial Ethernet networking, VLANs/firewalls, network segmentation, IDMZ concepts, role-based access control, multi-factor authentication, secure remote access, asset inventory, patch-management coordination, and incident-response coordination with IT/cybersecurity teams.
Oil & Gas, energy, or heavy industrial experience preferred,
Proven ability to participate in a cross‑functional collaboration across Operations, Engineering, Construction, Project Management, Finance, and HSE teams.
You are a local resource to the Moses Lake Facility or are willing to relocate to Moses Lake, WA to support the operational demands. This is a full-time role with after-hour support on an as needed basis.
Twelve Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision coverage
Paid sick days and vacation
Competitive salary and equity compensation commensurate with experience
Diverse and inclusive work environment
At Twelve, it's important each employee is compensated competitively and fairly. In alignment with state legal requirements, Twelve conducts exhaustive research to understand compensation markets. A range for the included position is listed below. Be advised, actual offer details are determined by job category, job location, and candidate skill level.
United States Wage Range: $204,000 - $255,000
Please note that some pay bands may have wide ranges of compensation to accommodate candidate's diverse sets of skill levels.
We believe that the unique contributions of each individual is the driver of our success. To make sure that our products and culture continue to incorporate everyone's perspectives and experience we never discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or marital, veteran, or disability status.
Want to work with us but don't see a current opening that fits your background? Submit a general application for Future Opportunities or email us at talent@twelve.co for further inquiries.
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Twelve is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified applicants, and complies with federal and state disability laws. As part of this commitment, Twelve will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact our Talent team by email at talent@twelve.co.
Compensation Range: $204K - $255K
See All 7 Automation Specialist Jobs in Washington
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Find Automation Specialist JobsAutomation Specialist Jobs by City in Washington
Where Washington roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Automation Specialist Job Market in Washington
A snapshot from current Washington openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
What Washington Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in automation specialist jobs across Washington.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechatronics, or a closely related field
- Hands-on experience programming PLCs such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Omron platforms
- Proficiency with SCADA and HMI software including Ignition, FactoryTalk, or WinCC
- Familiarity with industrial communication protocols such as EtherNet/IP, Modbus, or PROFINET
- Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, P&IDs, and technical drawings
- Experience supporting commissioning, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement on production lines
Automation Specialist Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a automation specialist in Washington?
Most automation specialists in Washington enter the field through a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or mechatronics, though associate degree holders with strong PLC and controls experience are also hired. Washington does not require a state-specific license for most automation roles, but professional engineer licensure through the Washington State Department of Licensing can strengthen candidacy for senior positions. Industry certifications from bodies like ISA and NFPA are widely recognized by Washington employers.
Which companies hire automation specialists in Washington?
Employers hiring automation specialists in Washington right now include PLATT, TikTok, and Twelve, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Washington's aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors, anchored by companies in the Puget Sound corridor, generate particularly steady demand alongside the state's large technology operations.
Which Washington cities have the most automation specialist jobs?
The cities with the most automation specialist openings in Washington are Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia. The Seattle and Eastside corridor drives the majority of postings because it concentrates the state's technology headquarters, aerospace suppliers, and advanced manufacturing facilities, while smaller markets reflect the distribution and defense operations based in those areas.
Are there remote automation specialist jobs in Washington?
Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of automation specialist openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, because most of the work involves physical equipment, production lines, and on-site commissioning. The portions of the role most likely to be done remotely are programming, documentation, and project scoping, which some employers allow off-site between site visits.
How can I get hired as a automation specialist in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an associate or technician role in a Washington manufacturing or aerospace facility, where you support senior engineers on PLC programming and equipment maintenance before taking on independent projects. Boeing and its supplier network in the Puget Sound area regularly bring on engineering technicians and controls associates from community college programs, and Bellevue College and Renton Technical College both offer relevant electronics and industrial automation coursework. Building a portfolio of ladder logic samples or completing an ISA Certified Automation Professional preparation course helps candidates stand out when applying without direct industry experience.
Where can I find and apply to automation specialist jobs in Washington?
You can find and apply to automation specialist jobs in Washington on Migrate Mate, which lists current Washington openings. Find roles that fit your experience and specialization, then apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 7 Automation Specialist Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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