Controls Engineer

About the role

The Controls Engineer designs and implements electrical control systems for automated material handling equipment, contributing to project-based applications from initial specifications through commissioning. This role focuses on developing PLC and PAC logic, creating HMI applications, and supporting automated equipment and warehouse execution solutions for a variety of customer projects.

Responsibilities

• Use and follow established departmental process workflow steps to complete project work accurately and on schedule.
• Meet with clients and internal project teams to define applications and produce clear descriptions of operation documents.
• Generate project-specific documentation using standard company formats to ensure consistency and traceability.
• Develop application programs to control automated equipment based on detailed electrical and mechanical system designs and operational requirements.
• Create standard PLC programs for real-time control of automated equipment and for collection of diagnostic and production data.
• Use automation programming software to develop PLC programs that interface with devices such as network I/O, variable speed drives, camera and laser scanner identification systems, and scales.
• Customize standard products and software templates to meet the specific requirements of each project and customer application.
• Design and develop application programs for HMI screens to provide intuitive and effective operator interfaces.
• Conduct in-house preliminary testing of control systems to verify functionality before deployment.
• Perform onsite testing of systems installed at customer facilities to validate performance and reliability.
• Interact closely with mechanical and electrical engineering teams during project design reviews to ensure integrated system performance.
• Perform onsite technical checkout of automated equipment and control systems prior to commissioning.
• Lead or support on-site system commissioning at client sites to validate controls software and ensure successful startup.

Essential Skills

• At least 3 years of experience in the material handling industry.
• Hands-on experience with RSLogix and Studio 5000 software for PLC programming.
• Experience working with Allen Bradley PLC and PAC controllers.
• Strong knowledge in industrial control systems, including PLCs and HMIs.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD and AutoCAD Electrical for control system and panel design.
• Solid understanding and proficiency working with 480VAC 3-phase power.
• Ability to develop PLC programs for real-time control and data collection in automated environments.
• Experience creating HMI application programs and screen designs.
• Capability to work with automation programming software to interface with network I/O, variable speed drives, camera and laser scanner ID systems, and scales.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience customizing standard control system products to meet unique project requirements.
• Experience in automated equipment and warehouse execution environments.
• Ability to produce clear and detailed descriptions of operation and project documentation.
• Comfort working in a project-based, application-focused setting with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong collaboration skills for working with mechanical and electrical engineering teams.
• Interest in long-term opportunities, with potential to transition into a full-time hire.
• Ability to travel regularly to customer sites and work independently while remote.

Work Environment

The Controls Engineer works primarily on a remote basis when not traveling to customer sites, providing flexibility while supporting ongoing projects. The role involves approximately 40–60% travel to client facilities for onsite testing, technical checkout, and system commissioning. Work is project-based within the material handling industry, using technologies such as Allen Bradley PLC/PAC controllers, RSLogix, Studio 5000, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, and HMI development tools. The environment emphasizes collaboration with internal engineering teams, structured workflows, and hands-on work with industrial control systems and 480VAC 3-phase power in customer facilities.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $40.00 – $55.00/hr. Individual compensation offered within this range will depend on 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)