Job Description & Details
This is a solid, two-year contract gig for someone looking to get deep into electrical control systems and hardware-software integration testing. You'll be based onsite in Mequon, WI, running through rigorous test cycles and modernizing legacy codebases for real-world automation hardware. If you like bridging the gap between physical machinery and software logic without getting bogged down in endless enterprise meetings, this one's worth a look.
What You'll Actually Be Doing
Your days will be split between running structured system tests using existing test collateral and writing fresh control system applications from scratch. You'll spend a good chunk of time rewriting old software into Python, tracking down weird bugs alongside the core development team, and characterizing issues to figure out if they live in the hardware or the code. It is a hands-on role where you will actively stress-test industrial machinery and ensure full system test coverage before anything ships.
The Core Tech Stack
You need to be comfortable slinging Python or Ladder Logic to script test cases and manipulate control systems. Having a solid grasp of electrical control systems is non-negotiable because you'll be debugging issues that span both the physical and digital realms. Prior exposure to motion control, robotics, and basic AI fundamentals will give you a massive head start here, especially when dealing with advanced testing tools like iTRAK or network analysis utilities like Wireshark.
Interview Expectations
Expect the hiring manager to hand you a scenario where a piece of automated machinery behaves unexpectedly under load, and they'll want to hear how you systematically isolate whether it's a sensor failure, a PLC logic flaw, or a Python script timeout. They are secretly looking for a rigorous, methodical engineering mindset rather than someone who just guesses and checks. They'll also likely probe your comfort level with rewriting legacy control logic, so be prepared to walk through a past project where you refactored messy automation code.
Application Advice
When tailoring your resume, make sure terms like Python, Ladder Logic, electrical control systems, and system testing are front and center so you easily clear the ATS filters. Don't just list these technologies—explicitly mention any hands-on experience you have with hardware-in-the-loop testing, robotics, or modernizing legacy control software. Highlighting a track record of collaborating with development teams to triage tricky bugs will instantly signal to the recruiter that you can hit the ground running on day one.