How do I create an account on FEED?

Click Sign Up in the top right corner. You can register as a Professional (contractor) or Customer (hiring company). Complete your profile with your skills, experience, and rate to get matched with opportunities.

What is the difference between White Glove and Standard contracts?

White Glove contracts include full HR/payroll services where Automate America handles billing and pays professionals directly. Standard contracts are direct relationships with our platform facilitating the connection and you manage payments directly.

When do contractors get paid?

Payment timing depends on contract terms (Net-15 or Net-30). For White Glove contracts, once your timesheet is approved and the customer pays, funds are deposited to your bank account within 2-3 business days.

How much does it cost to post a job on FEED?

Creating job posts, updates, and listings is completely FREE. You only pay if you choose to boost your listing for $50/week for increased visibility. White Glove contracts have fees built into the bill rate.

How do I submit expenses for reimbursement?

Go to Dashboard > Expenses and click New Expense Report. Upload receipts, categorize expenses, and submit for approval. Approved expenses are included in your next scheduled payment.

What is a boosted listing?

Boosting increases your listing visibility for $50/week. Boosted listings appear at the top of search results with a Boosted badge, helping you find qualified candidates faster.

Guide for Customers

Hiring Resources•Updated January 18, 2026

Hiring Automation Professionals

FEED 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, FEED 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.

Need help hiring?

Contact Sales