Controls Engineer
About the role
This is an onsite engineering role responsible for the controls and automation behind a large-scale manufacturing operation, including PLC programming, troubleshooting, system integration, commissioning, and continuous improvement. You'll work directly with production equipment and cross-functional engineering teams to solve real-time manufacturing problems while also bringing new equipment and technologies online.
Responsibilities
- Design, program, modify, and troubleshoot PLC-based industrial control systems
- Support automation across complex manufacturing equipment and production processes
- Integrate sensors, actuators, controls, and other field devices into automated systems
- Diagnose controls and automation problems that impact equipment uptime, reliability, quality, or production
- Test, validate, and commission new or modified control systems
- Support installation and startup of new manufacturing equipment and technology
- Maintain electrical schematics, PLC logic, control documentation, and system configurations
- Interpret equipment specifications and translate them into practical operating and controls requirements
- Partner with Process Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Operations, and equipment vendors to solve technical issues
- Evaluate new controls and automation technologies that can improve manufacturing capability
- Drive continuous improvement in equipment reliability, system performance, and manufacturing efficiency
- Ensure controls and electrical work meets applicable safety standards, codes, and plant requirements
- Manage multiple automation and controls projects simultaneously
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, or a related technical field
- 3-5+ years of controls engineering experience in a manufacturing environment
- Hands-on PLC programming and troubleshooting experience
- Experience with Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or comparable industrial PLC platforms
- Ability to diagnose controls problems directly at production equipment
- Experience integrating industrial sensors, actuators, and control devices
- Working knowledge of industrial communication protocols
- Experience reading and interpreting electrical schematics and P&IDs
- Experience testing, validating, and commissioning control systems
- Strong troubleshooting and root-cause problem-solving skills
- Ability to manage several projects and competing plant priorities simultaneously
- Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with engineering, operations, maintenance, vendors, and technicians
- Working knowledge of industrial safety and compliance requirements
Qualifications
- Advanced Allen-Bradley controls experience
- Siemens experience
- Robotics programming or integration experience
- CNC or machining automation experience
- Experience with forging, metal forming, heat treatment, coating, or similar manufacturing equipment
- Automotive or commercial vehicle manufacturing experience
- Leverage Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma experience
Skills
- Advanced PLC programming and troubleshooting
- Industrial communication protocols
- Electrical schematics and P&IDs
- Control systems integration
- Manufacturing equipment diagnostics
- Continuous improvement methodologies
- Project management
Benefits
Base salary of $100,000-$115,000 annually, depending on experience
Opportunity to own automation and controls work across a sophisticated manufacturing operation
Hands-on involvement in both existing equipment improvement and new technology implementation
Significant exposure to manufacturing equipment, robotics, PLCs, machining, and automation
Medical coverage with PPO and HSA-compatible plan options
Dental and vision coverage
Company HSA contributions and additional matching opportunity for eligible plan participants
401(k) with company matching opportunity
Company-paid basic life and AD&D insurance
Company-paid disability benefits for eligible employees
Employee Assistance Program and financial wellness resources
Participation in the company's employee ownership program at no personal cost
Opportunity to join an operation investing in automation, manufacturing technology, and future production capability
Pay
$100,000 - $115,000 annually
Schedule
Full-time