Senior Controls Engineer ATS Industrial Automation Ontario 

Pioneering the Future of Advanced Manufacturing and Smart Automation

ATS Corporation is a global industry leader in designing and building custom, automated manufacturing and assembly systems for the world’s most innovative companies. From life sciences and electric vehicles to consumer products and clean energy, our turnkey solutions—which include precision automation, robotics, smart conveyors, and proprietary software—are critical to our clients’ success. We are not just a supplier; we are a strategic partner in advancing our clients’ competitive edge through technology. To support our sustained growth and expanding project portfolio, we are launching a significant global recruitment campaign with 150+ new job openings across our key international hubs in Belgium, Canada, Germany, and the United States. We are seeking talented engineers, technicians, and professionals of all nationalities who are passionate about creating the machinery that builds the future. We offer competitive, high salaries reflective of the specialized expertise we require.

Global Engineering Hubs: Where Innovation is Built

Our strategic locations are centers of excellence, each playing a vital role in our global delivery model. This hiring initiative will integrate new talent into our core operational and engineering centers:

• Belgium (Antwerp, Brussels region): A key European hub for project execution, serving major life sciences, automotive, and consumer goods clients across the EU.

• Canada (Cambridge, Ontario – Global Headquarters; Toronto area): The heart of ATS innovation, housing our largest engineering, R&D, and manufacturing campus.

• Germany (Munich, Stuttgart, Dresden): A critical center for precision engineering, serving the European automotive (especially EV), semiconductor, and industrial equipment sectors.

• United States (Phoenix, AZ; Chicago, IL; Boston, MA; Silicon Valley, CA): Major sites for project delivery, software development, and serving key markets in life sciences, aerospace, and technology.

This international network allows for the exchange of best practices, provides exposure to diverse industry challenges, and offers clear pathways for global career mobility within ATS.

The ATS Culture: Engineering Excellence and Collaborative Delivery

Our culture is built on a foundation of technical mastery, client partnership, and relentless problem-solving. We operate in a fast-paced, project-driven environment where excellence is the standard.

• Innovation in Automation: We push the boundaries of what’s possible in robotics, vision systems, and Industry 4.0 integration. Our employees are encouraged to think creatively to solve unique manufacturing challenges.

• Ownership & Accountability: From concept to installation, our teams take full ownership of their projects, ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality, performance, and reliability.

• Global Team, Local Impact: We collaborate across continents to leverage global expertise while delivering seamless solutions tailored to local client needs.

• Commitment to Growth: We invest heavily in our people through continuous technical training, leadership development, and support for professional engineering certifications.

Career Pathways in Industrial Automation

We are hiring across the entire spectrum of roles required to conceive, design, build, and deploy world-class automation systems.

1. Engineering & Design (Core Technical Roles)

The architects and designers of our automated solutions.

• Automation / Machine Design Engineers: Mechanical engineers specializing in custom machine design, GD&T, and mechanism development.

• Controls Engineers & PLC Programmers: Experts in control systems architecture, ladder logic, structured text (Allen-Bradley, Siemens), HMI/SCADA development (Ignition, FactoryTalk).

• Robotics Engineers: Specialists in robot integration, programming (Fanuc, ABB, KUKA), and end-of-arm tooling design.

• Software Engineers: Developers for machine-level software, MES integration, and proprietary ATS platforms using C#, .NET, and Python.

• Electrical Engineers & Designers: Responsible for electrical panels, power distribution, sensors, and safety system design (Schematic design in EPLAN, AutoCAD Electrical).

2. Project Management & Application Engineering

The bridge between client needs and technical execution.

• Project Managers & Project Engineers: Lead cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time, on budget, and to specification.

• Applications Engineers / Systems Engineers: Work directly with clients to define project scope, develop technical proposals, and create system concepts.

• Product Managers (Software/Platform): Define the roadmap for ATS’s software and smart factory offerings.

3. Technical Operations & Skilled Trades

The hands-on experts who bring designs to life.

• Machine Builders / Assembly Technicians: Skilled tradespeople who assemble and debug precision automation systems.

• Advanced CNC Machinists & Toolmakers: Create high-precision components and fixtures in our in-house machine shops.

• Field Service Engineers & Technicians: Commission and support ATS systems at client sites worldwide, providing troubleshooting and training.

4. Corporate & Business Support

Professionals who enable our global operations.

• Supply Chain & Procurement Specialists

• Human Resources Business Partners & Talent Acquisition

• Finance, Accounting, & IT Professionals

Competitive Compensation and Global Benefits

ATS offers a robust total rewards package designed to attract and retain top talent in a competitive global market.

• High, Competitive Salaries: We benchmark salaries against leading technology and engineering firms to ensure we offer top-tier compensation for specialized skills.

• Performance-Based Incentives: Eligibility for annual performance bonuses and, for many roles, project-based profit-sharing or milestone bonuses.

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness Plans: Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and families. Global EAP and wellness programs.

• Financial Security: Strong retirement savings plans with company matching (e.g., RRSP in Canada, 401(k) in USA, pension schemes in Europe).

• Work-Life Integration: Generous paid time off, company holidays, and for many engineering roles, flexible work schedules and potential for hybrid arrangements during design phases.

• Global Mobility & Travel: Opportunities for international travel to client sites and other ATS facilities. For qualified candidates, potential for long-term assignments or transfers between countries.

• Investment in Your Expertise: Substantial annual budget for professional development, including advanced technical training, conference attendance (e.g., Automate, IMTS), and support for P.Eng., PMP, or other certifications.

Who We Are Looking For: The Ideal ATS Professional

We seek technically brilliant, pragmatic, and driven individuals who thrive in a project-based, results-oriented environment.

• Deep Technical Proficiency: Strong foundational knowledge in your engineering discipline (mechanical, electrical, software, controls) and a passion for hands-on problem-solving.

• Project Mindset: Understanding of phase-gate project lifecycles, ability to manage priorities, and commitment to meeting deadlines and quality standards.

• Client-Focused Innovation: The ability to listen to a client’s challenge and creatively apply technology to develop an elegant, reliable automation solution.

• Collaborative Team Player: Excellence in communicating and working within multidisciplinary teams of engineers, technicians, and project managers.

• Adaptability & Continuous Learning: The automation field evolves rapidly. A successful candidate must be agile and committed to mastering new technologies and methodologies.

The ATS Recruitment Journey

Our hiring process is thorough, designed to assess both technical capability and cultural fit for our collaborative, high-stakes environment.

1. Online Application: Submit a detailed resume/CV via the ATS careers portal. Your resume should be a technical document—clearly list projects, technologies, software, and specific contributions.

2. Recruiter Screening: A preliminary discussion to review your experience, career interests, and the specifics of the role and location.

3. Technical Assessment: A critical step involving a review of your portfolio, a technical interview with senior engineers, or a practical problem-solving exercise relevant to the role (e.g., a design review, a controls logic scenario).

4. Interview Rounds: Typically includes meetings with the Hiring Manager, potential peers, and a senior leader. These conversations focus on project experience, technical depth, and teamwork.

5. Final Offer Discussion: A detailed discussion covering compensation, benefits, start date, and any relocation support. An official written offer follows.

6. Onboarding & Integration: A structured onboarding program introduces you to ATS methodologies, safety protocols, and your project team, setting the stage for immediate contribution.

How to Apply for Global Roles

Ready to build the machines that build what’s next?

To explore all 150+ current openings and submit your application, visit our official global careers website: https://www.atsautomation.com/careers

Application Guidance for International Candidates:

• Right to Work: We are a global company that values diversity. However, you must verify your existing legal right to work in the specific country of the position (Belgium, Canada, Germany, or USA). ATS’s ability to sponsor work visas varies by role, country, and project requirements; this will be specified in individual job descriptions.

• Target Your Search: Use the location filters on our careers site to find roles in cities like Cambridge (ON), Phoenix, Munich, or Antwerp.

• Optimize Your Technical Resume:

  • Format: Use a clear, chronological format. For each position, list the industry (e.g., Automotive, Pharma), key technologies (e.g., Siemens TIA Portal, SolidWorks, Vision Systems), and your specific contribution.

  • Quantify: Where possible, quantify achievements (e.g., “Designed a cell that increased client throughput by 25%,” “Reduced machine commissioning time by 2 weeks”).

  • Portfolio Links: For design roles, include a link to an online portfolio or samples of your work (respecting previous employers’ IP).

• Prepare for Technical Interviews: Be ready to discuss past projects in extreme detail, including challenges faced, design choices made, and lessons learned. Review fundamental principles of your discipline.