Guide for Customers
Hiring Automation Professionals
Automate America connects you with skilled automation professionals — PLC programmers, robot technicians, controls engineers, and more. Whether you need someone for a quick project or long-term engagement, Automate America helps you find, hire, and manage contractors efficiently.
Getting Started
Step 1: Create Your Company Account
- Visit automateamerica.com
- Click Sign Up
- Select I'm hiring (Customer account)
- Enter company details and verify your email
Step 2: Complete Your Company Profile
A complete company profile attracts better candidates:
- Company name — Your legal business name
- Logo — Professional company logo
- Industry — Manufacturing sector (automotive, food & beverage, etc.)
- Location — Headquarters address
- Description — What your company does, types of projects
- Contact info — Primary contact for hiring
Pro Tip
Companies with complete profiles and logos receive more applications from qualified professionals. A good description helps candidates understand if they're a fit.
Posting Work
How to Post a Contract
- Click the [+] button in the Feed
- Select Post Contract
- Fill in the contract details:
- Title — Clear job title (e.g., "Fanuc Robot Programmer")
- Description — Project details, responsibilities, requirements
- Skills required — Specific manufacturers and software
- Location — Work site address or "Remote"
- Duration — Expected contract length
- Rate range — Hourly rate you're willing to pay
- Choose contract type (Standard or White Glove)
- Review and publish
Free to Post
Posting contracts is FREE. Optional boosting ($50/week) increases visibility in search results and attracts more applicants faster.
Writing Effective Job Posts
Get more qualified applicants with these tips:
- Be specific about skills — "Fanuc R-30iB" is better than just "Robot programming"
- Include project details — What will they be working on?
- Set realistic rates — Research market rates for the skills you need
- Mention travel requirements — Will they need to relocate or travel?
- State urgency — If you need someone quickly, say so
Choosing a Contract Type
Standard Contracts
"The Basics for Individuals and Organizations"
| You manage | Direct communication and relationship with professional |
| You handle | Payments to professional directly (or through your payroll) |
| Fees | Small success fee when you hire |
| Best for | Experienced customers who want direct control |
White Glove Contracts
"For Customers Who Want Automate America to Bill Them and Pay the Professionals"
| We provide | Dedicated Account Manager for full support |
| We handle | Billing you directly and paying professionals |
| Includes | Candidate screening, vetting, and interview coordination |
| Privacy | Anonymous posting (company hidden until hire) |
| Best for | New customers or those wanting hands-off management |
Finding Professionals
Method 1: Post and Receive Applications
The most common approach:
- Post your contract with detailed requirements
- Qualified professionals apply to your posting
- Review applications in your Dashboard
- Message promising candidates
- Extend offers to your selections
Method 2: Browse Professional Profiles
Proactively search for candidates:
- Browse the Feed for professional profiles
- Use filters: skills, location, rate, availability
- Click profiles to view full details
- Message professionals who match your needs
- Invite them to apply to your contract
Reviewing Applications
For each applicant, consider:
- Skills match — Do they have the specific expertise you need?
- Experience level — Years of relevant work history
- Location/Travel — Can they work at your site?
- Rate — Is their rate within your budget?
- Availability — Can they start when you need them?
- Reviews — What do past customers say?
The Hiring Process
Application Stages
| Stage | Your Action |
|---|---|
| Submitted | Review the application |
| Under Review | Evaluate and compare candidates |
| Shortlisted | Message or interview top candidates |
| Offer Extended | Send formal offer with terms |
| Accepted | Sign contracts and onboard |
Making an Offer
When you find the right person:
- Click Extend Offer on their application
- Confirm the terms:
- Hourly rate
- Start and end dates
- Per diem and travel (if applicable)
- Special requirements
- Send the offer
- Wait for acceptance (they may negotiate)
- Once accepted, both parties sign documents
Managing Contractors
During the Contract
- Approve timesheets — Review and approve weekly within 1-3 days
- Communicate — Use the messaging system for work discussions
- Provide feedback — Let them know how they're doing
- Approve expenses — Review receipts and approve legitimate costs
Timesheet Approval
- Go to Dashboard → Timesheets
- Review submitted hours and notes
- Click Approve or Request Changes
- Approved timesheets generate invoices automatically
Important
Timely timesheet approval ensures professionals get paid on schedule. Delayed approvals can affect contractor satisfaction and your reputation on the platform.
Payments
White Glove Payment Flow
- Professional submits timesheet
- You approve the timesheet
- Automate America invoices you
- You pay Automate America
- We pay the professional
Standard Payment Flow
- Professional submits timesheet
- You approve the timesheet
- You pay the professional directly
Accepted Payment Methods
- ACH Bank Transfer — Preferred, lowest cost
- Credit Card — Accepted with processing fees
- Wire Transfer — For large or international payments
Frequently Asked Questions
Click the [+] button in the Feed, select "Post Contract," fill in the details (title, skills required, location, duration, rate), choose contract type (Standard or White Glove), and publish. Posts are free — boosting for extra visibility costs $50/week.
Standard: You manage the relationship directly with lower fees. White Glove: Automate America handles billing, payments, and provides full support with a dedicated Account Manager. Choose White Glove for hands-off management or if you're new to hiring contractors.
Post a detailed contract with specific skill requirements, or browse professional profiles in the directory. Use filters for skills (Fanuc, Allen-Bradley, etc.), location, rate range, and availability. Review profiles, experience, and ratings before reaching out.
For common skills and competitive rates, you may receive applications within hours. Specialized or remote locations may take longer. Boosting your posting increases visibility. Most contracts fill within 1-3 weeks.
Yes! Posting is completely free. You only pay if you choose to boost your listing ($50/week) for increased visibility. White Glove contracts have service fees built into the bill rate. Standard contracts have a small success fee when you hire.
For White Glove: We bill you directly and pay the professionals. For Standard: You pay professionals directly (or through your payroll). Accepted payment methods include ACH bank transfer, credit card, and wire transfer.
Review your SSA for termination terms (usually 2 weeks notice). Contact your Account Manager (White Glove) or the professional directly (Standard) to discuss issues. For serious concerns, contact support immediately.
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