Join our globally growing team at ATS Industrial Automation where we create complex automation solutions at the highest level that sustainably impact lives around the world.

Job Details

Position: Controls Software Designer

Total Compensation & Benefits:

- Pay Rate: $42.3 - $58.17
- Eligible for Annual Incentive Bonus
- Stock Purchase Plan
- 3 Weeks Vacation
- Health Care Benefits + $600 Health Care Spending Account
- Employee Engagement Events (Employee BBQs and lunches, weekly treat day, etc.)
- Employee Development Programs

What You’ll Do

- Provide technical input into system concepts and final design solutions, ensuring control strategies align with overall system requirements
- Design and implement control software (PLC‑ and/or PC‑based) aligned with customer specifications and standard ATS programming methods, including program architecture, sequencing, fault handling, safety control, diagnostics, and recovery strategies.
- Perform full system integration, both in‑house and at customer sites as required; integrate with motion systems, vision systems, safety devices, lasers, sensors, feeders, printers, and other peripheral equipment.
- Work cross‑functionally with design, assembly, and management teams to deliver cohesive automation systems.
- Execute work with awareness of project schedules, scope and budget constraints, raising concerns early when technical decisions may impact delivery.

How You’ll Work

- Take ownership of assigned software scope and deliver against agreed project loading and milestone commitments.
- Operate as a self‑starter, taking initiative to move work forward and resolve issues with minimal supervision.




- Support multiple concurrent projects without sacrificing quality or predictability.
- Accurately track time to project and indirect codes and communicate risks, scope changes, conflicts, or capacity constraints early and consistently.
- Develop software in compliance with approved engineering procedures, quality requirements, and review practices.

What We’re Looking For

- 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in industrial automation, specializing in controls software design for complex PLC‑ and robot‑based systems.
- Demonstrated experience originating and structuring PLC programs, including sequencing, safety behavior, diagnostics, and recovery logic.
- Proven ability to independently deliver software scope across concurrent projects with minimal oversight.
- Strong PLC/software architecture, troubleshooting, and root‑cause problem‑solving skills.
- Clear, professional communication in both technical and customer‑facing situations.

Nice to Have

- Post‑secondary Engineering Degree or Diploma (Electrical, Automation, Systems, Computer Engineering, or equivalent).
- Familiarity with industrial network architectures, including VLAN segmentation, managed switches, and PLC‑based Ethernet networks (PROFINET / EtherNet/IP).
- Hands‑on experience with:
- Rockwell Automation (Studio 5000, ControlLogix, GuardLogix, FactoryTalk)




- Siemens (TIA Portal, S7‑1500, PROFINET / PROFIBUS, distributed safety)

What Success Looks Like

- Software programs are clean, well structured, maintainable, and purpose‑built.
- Integration issues are anticipated and addressed early.
- Software behaves predictably across normal operation, fault conditions, and recovery.
- Technical decisions balance quality, schedule, and practical constraints.
- Work is delivered on schedule and within project budget expectations.
- Your input is trusted by project teams.

Benefits

- Robust total rewards package – competitive starting salaries, comprehensive health and dental benefits, overtime pay, employee bonus, RSP matching, Employee Share Purchase Program.
- Work perks such as treat days, gourmet coffee and beverages, subsidized breakfast and lunches in cafeteria, employee referral bonuses.
- Qualified growth and development through internal career opportunities and educational reimbursement program.

Accessibility & EEO

ATS is in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA), 2005 and will, upon request, assist those who may require specific accommodations due to a personal disability. Applicants who require assistance are encouraged to notify our offices as soon as possible.

The ATS applicant tracking system may utilize AI software with pre‑defined, rule‑based filters to organize and manage application materials. All hiring decisions continue to involve human review and judgment.

If you're excited about this role, but do not meet all the qualifications listed above, you are still encouraged to apply.

📌 Senior Control Systems Software Designer (Waterloo)
🏢 ATS Industrial Automation
📍 Waterloo