Controls Engineer

About the role

This role focuses on supporting automation projects within a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. The Controls Engineer collaborates closely with onsite operations and engineering teams to drive automation initiatives, implement process improvements, execute system upgrades, and provide hands-on troubleshooting for manufacturing automation systems and control platforms. This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Columbus, OH. The position is fully onsite in Columbus, OH and is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 2026.

Responsibilities

• Develop, modify, and troubleshoot PLC applications to support automated manufacturing processes.
• Design, configure, and troubleshoot HMI applications to ensure reliable operator interfaces and system visibility.
• Support manufacturing automation systems by monitoring performance, identifying issues, and implementing corrective actions.
• Assist with control system upgrades and continuous improvement projects to enhance reliability, efficiency, and compliance.
• Work cross-functionally with maintenance, operations, engineering, and validation teams to coordinate automation activities and resolve technical issues.
• Support startup and commissioning activities for new or upgraded automation systems, including testing, validation, and documentation.
• Create and maintain detailed technical documentation, including system configurations, design specifications, and change records.
• Diagnose and resolve controls-related issues in a timely manner to minimize production downtime and ensure product quality.
• Contribute to process automation initiatives within the pharmaceutical manufacturing environment, ensuring alignment with regulatory and quality standards.

Skills

• 2–7 years of experience in controls engineering within an industrial or manufacturing setting.
• Hands-on experience with PLC programming and troubleshooting.
• Proficiency in automation and control systems, including PLCs and HMIs.
• Knowledge of Allen-Bradley and/or Siemens control platforms.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations and production environments.
• Ability to diagnose and resolve controls-related issues using systematic troubleshooting methods.
• Strong collaboration skills to work effectively with maintenance, operations, engineering, and validation teams.
• Ability to create, modify, and maintain technical documentation related to control systems and automation projects.
• Experience with Ignition SCADA platforms.
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing experience and familiarity with regulated production environments.
• Process automation experience, including integration of control systems with manufacturing processes.
• SCADA experience, including configuration, monitoring, and data analysis.
• Experience in supporting startup and commissioning activities for automation systems.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $41.00 - $56.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Benefits

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)