Guide for Professionals
Welcome to Automate America
Automate America connects automation professionals with customers who need their expertise. Whether you're a PLC programmer, robot technician, controls engineer, or automation specialist, Automate America helps you find contracts, manage your work, and grow your career.
Getting Started
Follow these steps to begin finding work on Automate America:
Step 1: Create Your Account
- Visit automateamerica.com
- Click Sign Up
- Enter your email and create a password
- Verify your email address
Step 2: Complete Your Profile
A complete profile is essential. Include:
- Professional photo — Clear headshot with neutral background
- Headline — Your specialty (e.g., "Senior Fanuc Robot Programmer")
- Location — City and state where you're based
- Skills — Manufacturers, software, and technologies you know
- Experience — Past employers and projects
- Certifications — Relevant training and credentials
- Hourly Rate — Your desired base rate
Profile Tip
A professional photo and complete skill listings help customers find you. Rate each skill honestly — it helps customers find the right match.
Step 3: Set Your Availability
Let customers know when you can start:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Available Now | Ready to start immediately (green badge) |
| 2 Weeks Notice | Currently employed, can start in 2 weeks |
| 1 Month Notice | Longer lead time needed |
| Not Available | Profile hidden from search |
Finding Work
Browsing the Feed
The Feed is your main source for finding contracts:
- Navigate to the Feed (home page)
- Scroll through available contract cards
- Click any card to view full details
- Use filters to narrow by location, skills, duration, and rate
Applying to Contracts
- Click on a contract that matches your skills
- Review all requirements carefully
- Click Apply Now
- Write a personalized message (optional but recommended)
- Confirm your application
Application Tips
- Personalize your message — Reference specific requirements
- Highlight relevant experience — Mention similar past projects
- Be responsive — Check messages frequently
- Keep applying — Don't put all eggs in one basket
Working on Contracts
After You're Hired
- Sign Documents — Review and sign MSA and SSA
- Prepare for Start — Review onboarding instructions
- Report to Work — Show up ready on your start date
- Track Hours — Log your time daily
- Submit Timesheets — Submit weekly by Monday deadline
Weekly Timesheet Process
Timesheets are how you get paid:
- Go to Dashboard → Timesheets
- Click New Timesheet or select current week
- Enter hours for each day worked
- Add any overtime hours separately
- Attach receipts for expenses (if applicable)
- Submit by Monday at 11:59 PM
Important
Late timesheets delay your payment. Enter hours daily rather than waiting until the end of the week — it's easier to remember and more accurate.
Getting Paid
Payment Flow
- You submit timesheet (weekly)
- Customer approves your hours
- Invoice generated (automatic)
- Customer pays (on the net terms set for the contract)
- You receive payment (direct deposit)
How You Are Paid
By direct deposit (ACH) to the bank account on your profile, on the net terms the customer set for the contract (shown on the contract).
Building Your Career
Tips for Success
- Keep skills updated — Add new certifications and training
- Maintain availability — Update status when projects end
- Build relationships — Great work leads to extensions and referrals
- Collect reviews — Ask satisfied customers for feedback
- Stay professional — Communication and reliability matter
Growing Your Rate
Increase your earning potential by:
- Building a strong portfolio of completed contracts
- Earning positive reviews from customers
- Adding certifications for in-demand skills
- Developing expertise in rare/specialized areas
- Being willing to travel or take short-notice assignments
Rate Guidance
Many successful professionals start with competitive rates to build reviews, then increase over time. A strong reputation allows you to command higher rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Create an account, complete your profile with skills, experience, and certifications, set your hourly rate, and toggle your availability to "Available for Work."
Robot programming (Fanuc, ABB, KUKA, Universal Robots), PLC programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens), HMI/SCADA (Ignition, FactoryTalk), and vision systems (Cognex, Keyence) are highly sought after. Multi-platform expertise increases your opportunities.
Research market rates for your skills and location. Entry level: $35-55/hr, Mid level: $55-85/hr, Senior: $85-125+/hr, Specialist/Expert: $100-175+/hr. Consider starting competitive to build reviews, then increase as you establish reputation.
It depends on your skills, location, and availability. Complete profiles with in-demand skills often receive inquiries within days. Keep your availability current and apply to contracts that match your expertise for faster results.
Requirements vary by contract. Many customers require general liability insurance ($1M+ coverage). White Glove contracts may provide guidance on insurance requirements. Check each contract's requirements before applying.
Some contracts offer remote work, but most automation work requires on-site presence. Use the location filter to find "Remote" opportunities. Indicate your willingness to travel in your profile settings.
Review your SSA for termination terms (usually 2 weeks notice). Contact your Account Manager to discuss options. Ending contracts professionally protects your platform reputation and future opportunities.
Once you are connected with someone you have worked with here, either of you can write a Connection Story about the work. From your dashboard, write a short account of the work you did together: the project, how you met on the job, what it was like. The other person confirms it, adds their side, or declines it privately. A story both people confirm is Verified. Verified stories from the people you've worked with are the strongest thing on your profile.How Connection Stories work
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