Controls Engineer

About the role

The ideal candidate will have strong PLC programming experience, a systems-level mindset, and the ability to work across electrical, mechanical, software, and manufacturing teams to deliver reliable, high-performance solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement industrial control systems for thermal management and automated test equipment.
• Program, configure, troubleshoot, and optimize PLC-based control systems utilizing platforms such as Siemens, Allen-Bradley (Rockwell), CODESYS, and related technologies.
• Develop and maintain HMI and SCADA interfaces for equipment operation, monitoring, and diagnostics.
• Integrate sensors, actuators, drives, motion control devices, and industrial communication networks into complete system solutions.
• Configure and troubleshoot industrial communication protocols including EtherNet/IP, Profinet, BACnet, Modbus, and other fieldbus technologies.
• Support full product lifecycle activities including concept development, design, testing, validation, commissioning, and sustaining engineering.
• Develop electrical schematics, control panel designs, I/O lists, and system documentation.
• Conduct system integration, startup, debugging, and root cause analysis of complex control systems.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software engineering teams to develop innovative customer solutions.
• Support prototype builds, design verification testing, and product qualification efforts.
• Provide technical support for manufacturing, installation, and field service activities when required.

Basic qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience designing and programming industrial control systems.
• Hands-on experience with PLC programming platforms, including Siemens TIA Portal, STEP7, Allen-Bradley Studio 5000, RSLogix, CODESYS, or similar.
• Eaton will not consider applicants for employment immigration sponsorship or support for this position. This means that Eaton will not support any CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT plans, F-1 to H-1B, H-1B cap registration, O-1, E-3, TN status, I-485 job portability, etc.
• Must be located within 60 miles of Fredericksburg, Virginia to be considered, no relocation offered. Active duty military are exempt from these requirement.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with thermal management equipment, process control systems, or automated test equipment.
• Experience developing HMIs using Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Ignition, CODESYS, or similar platforms.
• Familiarity with motion control systems, VFDs, servo systems, and robotics integration.
• Knowledge of industrial safety systems and machine safety standards.
• Experience with Python, C#, LabVIEW, or other automation-related programming languages.
• Experience supporting products from prototype development through production launch.
• Understanding of industrial, datacenter, or advanced manufacturing environments.
• Ability to read and create electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and control panel documentation.
• Experience troubleshooting electrical and automation systems in a laboratory, manufacturing, or industrial environment.