Question 1

What is Automate America?

Accepted Answer

Automate America is a professional marketplace connecting skilled trades and automation professionals with companies that need contractors. Whether you specialize in PLC programming, controls engineering, robotics, industrial electrical, instrumentation, or industrial maintenance, Automate America is where professionals find contract opportunities and companies reach a marketplace of skilled people with real completed contracts, customer reviews, and listed certifications.

Question 2

How does Automate America work?

Accepted Answer

Three simple steps: 1) Create a profile (professionals) or post work — a contract, direct job, or RFQ (companies), 2) Search and connect based on skills, location, and availability, 3) Manage contracts, timesheets, and payments through the platform. You judge each match yourself from the evidence on their profile — completed contracts, reviews, and certifications.

Question 3

Is Automate America free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Automate America is free for professionals to join. Create a profile, apply to work, and get paid at no cost. Companies engage professionals directly, or use White-Glove hourly contracts where Automate America handles the timesheet-to-payment lifecycle.

Question 4

What kind of work is on Automate America?

Accepted Answer

Automation and industrial work: controls and PLC programming, robotics integration and programming, industrial electrical and instrumentation, SCADA/HMI, panel building, machine and line commissioning, maintenance and troubleshooting, and the skilled trades that keep manufacturing and automation running. Professionals here have worked with Fortune 500 manufacturers and small-to-medium shops alike.

Question 5

Where is Automate America available?

Accepted Answer

Automate America is a global marketplace — professionals and contracts span worldwide, with especially deep automation and controls activity across major manufacturing regions including the U.S. Midwest and Great Lakes, the Southeast, Texas and the Gulf, the Northeast, and the West Coast. Both on-site contracts (the norm for controls and commissioning) and remote arrangements where the scope allows.

Question 6

How do I create a professional profile on Automate America?

Accepted Answer

It is simple: 1) Click "Sign Up" and register with your name, email, and phone (verified by a one-time code), 2) Build your profile — your automation skills (PLC platforms, robot brands, controls disciplines), work history, certifications, and pay rates, 3) Add completed contracts and reviews as you go, 4) Set your availability and travel radius. A complete profile with real completed work gets you found by companies far faster.

Question 7

How do I apply for work on Automate America?

Accepted Answer

To apply: 1) Browse open contracts, direct jobs, and RFQs using filters for skills, location, and rate, 2) Open any posting that fits, 3) Review the scope and click Apply, 4) Add a short note on your relevant automation experience, 5) Track your application status in your dashboard. Companies typically respond within a few business days.

Question 8

How and when do I get paid on Automate America?

Accepted Answer

On White-Glove hourly contracts, Automate America runs a weekly cycle: 1) Submit your timesheet for the previous week, 2) The company approves your hours (usually within 48 hours), 3) Approved hours are processed and paid by direct deposit, 4) Most professionals see funds within a few business days. Your full payment history is in your dashboard.

Question 9

What certifications help me get hired on Automate America?

Accepted Answer

Certifications that boost visibility in automation include: vendor/platform credentials (Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Fanuc, ABB, Kuka robotics), safety and site credentials (OSHA 10/30, arc-flash/NFPA 70E, lockout-tagout), controls and networking (industrial networks, SCADA/HMI), plus any PE license or trade journeyman/master card. Every certification you list shows as a badge on your profile.

Question 10

Can I work remotely through Automate America?

Accepted Answer

Some scopes allow it — remote PLC/HMI development, SCADA configuration, program review, and engineering support can often be done off-site, and many contracts are hybrid (remote development plus on-site commissioning and startup). Hands-on controls, panel, and field work is on-site by nature. Each posting states whether remote is an option.

Question 11

How do I post work on Automate America?

Accepted Answer

Posting is straightforward: 1) Create a company account or sign in, 2) Start the work-creation wizard from your dashboard, 3) Choose the type — hourly White-Glove contract, direct-hire job, or RFQ — and fill in scope, required skills, location, and rate, 4) Publish. Your posting goes live immediately and reaches qualified automation professionals in the marketplace.

Question 12

How much does it cost to hire through Automate America?

Accepted Answer

You pay the professional's agreed rate. On White-Glove hourly contracts, Automate America handles onboarding, timesheets, approvals, and payment as a managed service. There are no upfront costs to post work or search the marketplace. Contact us for enterprise or high-volume staffing.

Question 13

How do I find qualified automation professionals?

Accepted Answer

Several ways: 1) Search the marketplace by automation skill (PLC platform, robot brand, controls discipline), location, and availability, 2) Post work and receive applications, 3) Use the White-Glove service, where the Automate America team hand-picks candidates for your scope. Every profile shows the skills, certifications, completed contracts, and reviews you need to decide.

Question 14

How do I know a professional is qualified on Automate America?

Accepted Answer

Automate America is an open marketplace — we do not pre-screen or background-check professionals. Instead, you judge each one from the evidence on their profile: completed contracts and customer reviews, endorsements from people they have worked with, the certifications and licenses they list, their detailed work history, and their achievement badges. You review profiles, message candidates directly, and decide who to hire. Email and phone verification confirm each account is real.

Question 15

Can I hire for long-term projects?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Automate America supports short-term work (a commissioning trip or a few weeks), long-term contracts (a multi-month integration or plant project), contract-to-hire, and direct placement. Many companies start with a short contract to evaluate fit before extending. The platform handles the contract and timesheet management regardless of duration.

Question 16

What kinds of professionals are on Automate America?

Accepted Answer

Automation and industrial specialists: controls engineers, PLC/HMI programmers, robotics integrators and programmers, industrial electricians, instrumentation and calibration techs, SCADA developers, panel builders, commissioning and startup engineers, maintenance techs, and the skilled trades around them. Filter by the specific skill or platform you need.

Question 17

What platforms and technologies do professionals here work with?

Accepted Answer

The network includes experts across the automation stack: PLC platforms (Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Mitsubishi, Omron, Beckhoff), robotics (Fanuc, ABB, Kuka, Yaskawa, Universal Robots), HMI/SCADA (FactoryTalk, WinCC, Ignition, Wonderware), industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus), plus vision, motion, and safety systems.

Question 18

What skills are most in demand on Automate America?

Accepted Answer

Demand runs highest for: 1) Controls and PLC programming (Rockwell and Siemens especially), 2) Robotics integration and programming, 3) SCADA/HMI development, 4) Commissioning and startup, 5) Industrial electrical and panel work, 6) Instrumentation and calibration, 7) Systems integration across multi-vendor lines.

Question 19

Do professionals here work with emerging technology?

Accepted Answer

Yes — many specialize in the modern edge of automation: Industry 4.0 and IIoT, edge computing on the plant floor, digital twins and simulation, machine vision and AI-assisted inspection, advanced robotics and cobots, and OT cybersecurity. Search for the specific skill to find specialists.

Question 20

How does timesheet approval work?

Accepted Answer

On White-Glove hourly contracts the process is simple: 1) Professionals log hours through Automate America, 2) Timesheets are submitted at the end of the work week, 3) The company is notified to review and approve, 4) Approved timesheets are processed for payment, 5) Both sides can view timesheet history in their dashboards. Disputes are handled by the support team.

Question 21

What payment methods does Automate America support?

Accepted Answer

Flexible options: for professionals, direct deposit (ACH) to a US bank account, with funds typically arriving 1–2 business days after processing. For companies, ACH transfer, and terms for qualified accounts on managed contracts. Payments on White-Glove contracts are processed securely through the platform's payment partner.

Question 22

Are professionals employees or independent contractors?

Accepted Answer

Professionals are typically engaged as independent contractors (1099), giving both sides flexibility. W-2 / employer-of-record arrangements are also supported where a company needs a traditional employment structure. The engagement type is stated on each posting and in the agreement.

Question 23

What happens if there is a contract dispute?

Accepted Answer

Automate America provides dispute-resolution support: 1) First, direct communication between the parties is encouraged, 2) If unresolved, either side opens a support ticket, 3) The team reviews timesheet data, messages, and the contract terms, 4) We mediate to a fair resolution. Most issues are resolved within about a week.

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