Okay, I've searched for Industrial Automation Engineer roles in Charlotte, NC requiring 5+ years of Siemens PLC programming experience, with a focus on Industry 4.0 and IIoT technologies, for full-time positions. I have found 52 positions for you.

Sure. Here's the analysis:

Job Analysis:

The Industrial Automation & IIoT Engineer role is fundamentally centered on designing, programming, and optimizing advanced industrial automation systems, with a particular emphasis on Siemens PLC/DCS platforms. This position requires not only deep technical expertise in automation hardware and software but also fluency in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies, enabling real-time data collection, predictive maintenance, and smart connectivity strategies that enhance operational efficiency and uptime. The candidate must navigate complex industrial environments, balancing the demands of hands-on programming with cross-functional collaboration involving engineering, operations, and customer teams. Success in this role means delivering scalable, sustainable automation solutions that directly support the company’s mission to reduce emissions and increase digital transformation within industrial plants. The role expects technical autonomy coupled with ownership mentality—solving real-world problems quickly and confidently, often amid ambiguity. Mastery of Siemens systems, networking protocols like Profinet and Profibus, and cloud IoT platforms (Azure/AWS) will empower the engineer to lead both implementation and strategic digital initiatives. Success metrics likely include system uptime improvements, timely project delivery, effective knowledge transfer via training simulations, and documented automation architecture that meets sustainability targets.

Company Analysis:

Ferretti Search operates as a specialized executive staffing partner rather than a traditional industrial technology company, positioning itself as a people-centric gateway to meaningful career opportunities. Their focus on transparency, long-term relationship building, and understanding individual career aspirations suggests a culture that values trust and mutual success. While they are not the direct employer of the engineer role, they represent a client deeply invested in innovation-driven, sustainable industrial technology, aligning well with candidates who seek mission-oriented and growth-rich environments. The company’s role here is to connect highly skilled professionals with organizations that are scaling digital footprints and committing heavily to smart automation—implying a rigorous vetting process and a candidate pool that must be both technically adept and culturally aligned toward fast-paced, impact-driven work. Candidates should anticipate a hybrid work environment with flexibility and an emphasis on continual learning, reflecting a progressive and employee-focused culture in the client organization. Being staffed through Ferretti means access to ongoing career support and a relationship-oriented recruitment experience, an added soft advantage in navigating a highly competitive and evolving industrial automation sector.

Absolutely. Here are some mock interview questions that could come up:

• Behavioral: Tell me about a time when you had to troubleshoot a complex Siemens PLC system under time constraints. How did you approach the problem and what was the outcome?
• Behavioral: Describe a situation where you collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement a new automation technology. How did you ensure smooth communication and alignment?
• Behavioral: Share an example of how you took ownership of a project that involved introducing IoT solutions in a manufacturing or industrial setting.
• Behavioral: Have you ever encountered resistance from operators or stakeholders when rolling out a new digital twin or operator training simulation? How did you handle it?
• Technical: Walk me through your experience programming Siemens S7-1200 or S7-1500 PLCs using TIA Portal. What are common pitfalls you've learned to avoid?
• Technical: How would you design and deploy an IIoT solution to improve real-time data monitoring on a plant floor? Which platforms or protocols would you prioritize, and why?
• Technical: Explain your familiarity with cloud integration, specifically with Azure IoT or AWS IoT, and how you have applied those services in past automation projects.
• Technical: What methodologies do you use for validating and documenting automation systems to ensure compliance and ease of maintenance?
• Situational: Imagine the predictive maintenance dashboard you developed is delivering inconsistent data, hampering decision-making. How would you diagnose and resolve this issue?
• Situational: You are working on a hybrid team with remote and onsite engineers, and a critical communication gap has delayed an automation deployment. How do you address and prevent this problem?
• Situational: The client requests adding a new sensor network using an unfamiliar protocol. How do you evaluate and integrate this technology with existing systems efficiently?
• Company Fit: What excites you most about working with a company invested in sustainability and decarbonization through industrial automation?
• Company Fit: How do your personal values and career goals align with Ferretti Search's philosophy of transparency, long-term relationships, and meaningful placements?
• Company Fit: Given the hybrid work model and emphasis on continuous learning detailed in the job description, how do you manage your time and professional development effectively?
• Candidate Questions: Could you describe how the company measures the success of their automation and IIoT projects beyond technical deliverables?
• Candidate Questions: How does the company support career growth and certification opportunities for engineers on the automation team?
• Candidate Questions: What are the biggest challenges currently facing the automation and digital transformation team, and how does this role directly contribute to overcoming them?