Hiring Engineers and Technicians for Industrial Automation in India Through Employer of Record Solutions
Hiring engineers and technicians for industrial automation roles in India is becoming a priority for global companies working in machinery manufacturing, robotics integration, and control systems. India offers a wide pool of technically skilled professionals familiar with automation protocols, industrial hardware, and smart manufacturing systems.
For global businesses aiming to set up or expand teams, India offers strong workforce availability, cost-efficiency, and a growing base of industrial zones. However, direct hiring brings regulatory and legal obligations—local entity registration, tax compliance, employment laws, and payroll systems—each requiring considerable time, effort, and regional knowledge.
This is where Employer of Record (EOR) services become useful. An EOR allows foreign companies to legally hire engineers and technicians in India without opening a subsidiary. The EOR takes full responsibility for HR compliance, payroll, and statutory obligations, while the engineers and technicians work under the day-to-day direction of the client.
For businesses in automation and industrial machinery, this structure allows quicker team setup, easier project execution, and the ability to build teams across multiple cities.
Why India is a Preferred Market for Hiring Engineers and Technicians in Automation
India produces over 1.5 million engineers each year, many of whom specialize in disciplines relevant to automation—electrical, mechanical, electronics, instrumentation, and computer science. India also has a large network of ITIs (Industrial Training Institutes) and polytechnic colleges producing skilled technicians with hands-on experience in machine handling, wiring, and system assembly.
English proficiency, familiarity with international automation standards, and adaptability to various platforms (PLC, SCADA, HMI, DCS) make Indian professionals a reliable choice for global automation firms.
India’s established industrial zones—in Pune, Chennai, Noida, Coimbatore, Ahmedabad, and Bengaluru—host automation companies, robotics integrators, and manufacturing firms where engineers and technicians are trained in both legacy and modern systems. This real-time industry exposure adds practical value to their technical knowledge.
Common Roles When Hiring Engineers and Technicians for Industrial Automation
Below is a breakdown of roles frequently hired by global companies in India’s automation sector:
Engineering Positions
- Automation Engineer (PLC/SCADA Programming)
- Robotics Engineer
- Control Systems Engineer
- Electrical Design Engineer
- Instrumentation Engineer
- Mechanical Design Engineer (CAD/CAM)
- Industrial IoT Engineer
- Process Automation Engineer
- Systems Integration Engineer
- Embedded Systems Engineer
Technician Positions
- Automation Technician
- Control Panel Wiring Technician
- PLC Maintenance Technician
- Electrical Installation Technician
- Mechanical Fitter – Automation Machinery
- Field Service Technician (Industrial Equipment)
- Testing and Commissioning Technician
- SCADA Support Technician
- Robotic Arm Assembly Technician
- Machine Calibration Technician
These roles support a range of functions from equipment installation and programming to maintenance and troubleshooting across factories, warehouses, and R&D centers.
Challenges of Direct Hiring in India for Global Companies
Although the Indian talent pool is extensive, setting up direct hiring operations involves several roadblocks:
- Registering a local entity or branch office
- Complying with central and state labor laws
- Managing payroll and tax deductions (EPF, ESIC, TDS)
- Issuing compliant employment contracts
- Handling onboarding, documentation, and exit formalities
This process is resource-intensive, especially for businesses testing new markets or needing quick workforce deployment for specific projects. Each Indian state may have different labor regulations, which adds complexity if employees are located across various cities.
Without a local team for HR, legal, and finance functions, the risk of non-compliance increases—potentially resulting in fines or operational disruption.
Hiring Engineers and Technicians Through an Employer of Record
Employer of Record (EOR) services remove the need for entity setup while giving companies a compliant path to hire local workers. The EOR acts as the legal employer and handles:
- Drafting legally compliant employment contracts
- Running payroll with deductions for taxes, PF, ESIC, and gratuity
- Filing statutory returns with Indian authorities
- Providing health insurance and leave benefits
- Managing documentation, background checks, and employee exits
Meanwhile, the engineers and technicians operate under the client’s daily supervision, project scope, and performance structure.
For automation companies, this structure is valuable for:
- Field deployments in client factories or plants
- Short-term projects with fixed durations
- Multi-city hiring for project rollouts or maintenance
- Piloting operations before deciding on a full-scale India office
The EOR reduces hiring lead time and provides flexibility in managing headcount, roles, and timelines.
Hiring Engineers and Technicians for Project-Based Work
Automation and industrial system companies often run fixed-term contracts related to:
- Equipment installation
- Factory upgrades
- Industrial control system integration
- Robot programming and tuning
- Troubleshooting or shutdown maintenance
These projects may last a few months to a year and often require deploying skilled engineers and technicians across multiple sites. Hiring such teams directly would require entity setup, state-level labor registration, and location-specific compliance.
Working with an EOR helps companies hire engineers and technicians quickly, regardless of project duration or geographic spread. Once the project ends, the EOR manages contract closures, final settlements, and exits—ensuring clean documentation and compliance.
Hiring Engineers and Technicians Without Setting Up a Legal Entity
Setting up a business in India takes 3 to 6 months and requires filings with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, income tax department, and local government offices. For companies that only need a 5–15 person technical team, this time and cost may not be justifiable.
Through an EOR, businesses can:
- Begin operations in weeks instead of months
- Hire across any Indian city or industrial cluster
- Avoid separate state-level labor registration
- Focus on project execution instead of HR and compliance tasks
This method is practical for testing markets, managing urgent projects, or expanding technical support operations in a low-risk, structured manner.
Strategic Employer of Record Partnerships
For companies in industrial automation and machinery manufacturing, India offers a highly skilled technical workforce that can support a wide range of automation needs—from electrical design and software integration to machine assembly and service.
However, direct hiring comes with legal, administrative, and compliance burdens that many companies prefer to avoid. Employer of Record services present a viable option, allowing companies to hire engineers and technicians in India while staying fully compliant with labor laws and tax regulations. By working with a trusted EOR, automation businesses can focus on their operations while the EOR handles employment formalities, payroll, and compliance—making the overall process efficient and secure.