Controls Engineer

About us

We are a manufacturer based in East Tennessee.

Why join us

• Full benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401(K) with generous company match
• Generous Paid time off (PTO)
• Vacation, sick, and paid holidays
• Life Insurance coverage

Responsibilities

• Process Controls & Automation: Design, implement, and maintain PLC-based control systems, often integrating motion control.
• Develop, test, and deploy HMI/SCADA interfaces for process monitoring and operator use.
• Design, write, test, and deploy LabVIEW software programs to drive operation of electrochemical and mechanical systems.
• Write, review, and debug PLC ladder logic, function block, and structured text code.
• Define control strategies for high-temperature, high-current, and safety-critical processes.
• Conduct controls architecture reviews ensuring system reliability, maintainability, and safety.
• Electrical System Design & Component Selection: Specify, size, and integrate major electrical components including motors, VFDs, MCCs, transformers, switchgear, high-current rectifiers, and power distribution panels.
• Evaluate system loads and design for power quality, redundancy, and thermal performance.
• Develop electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and panel layouts using industry-standard tools.
• Lead vendor engagement for electrical and controls components, ensuring technical compliance and cost-effectiveness.
• Process Facility Integration: Support scale-up from pilot systems to full manufacturing lines, including commissioning of new equipment and fine-tuning of control logic.
• Coordinates high power installations with electrical contractors, including specification and communication of power distribution requirements including mains 3-phase circuit ampacities and branch circuit details.
• Develop instrumentation strategies, including sensor selection, calibration, and signal processing.
• Serve as internal subject matter expert on electrical safety protocols and procedures, developing policy and mentoring junior and adjacent-discipline staff on relevant safety guidelines.
• Operations & Continuous Improvement: Diagnose and resolve issues involving PLCs, instrumentation, power electronics, and industrial communication networks.
• Collaborate with R&D, mechanical and chemical engineering, and operations teams to implement process improvements and enhance system reliability.
• Participate in FMEAs, HAZOPs, and safety reviews for equipment and process modifications.
• Work with process engineer and technicians to standardize equipment and instrumentation through creation of specifications.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Controls Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in industrial automation, electrical design, or process controls.
• Hands-on experience programming PLCs and developing HMI interfaces and data acquisition systems.
• Strong foundation in industrial communications networking.
• Experience selecting, sizing, and integrating major electrical components.
• Proficiency reading and generating electrical schematics and 3D/2D layout drawings.
• Strong communication skills and comfort working cross-functionally in dynamic settings.
• Experience with Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs).