Production Engineer

About the role

The Automation & Controls Engineer is responsible for developing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and improving industrial automation and control systems that support safe, reliable, and efficient production operations. This role combines controls engineering, electrical systems, data acquisition, and continuous improvement to increase equipment reliability, reduce downtime, improve process performance, and enhance overall manufacturing productivity. The Automation & Controls Engineer works closely with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, and Operations personnel to identify production constraints, analyze equipment and process data, implement automation improvements, and maintain the plant’s controls infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related Engineering.
• 5+ years of production, process, manufacturing, or operations engineering experience.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Personal Skills

• Problem‑Solving – Ability to identify production issues and implement effective solutions.
• Analytical Thinking – Strong capability to analyze data, processes, and performance metrics.
• Attention to Detail – Ensures quality standards, safety requirements, and production specifications are met.
• Communication Skills – Ability to work effectively with operators, maintenance teams, management, and customers.
• Teamwork & Collaboration – Works well with cross‑functional teams to achieve production goals.
• Leadership – Ability to influence teams, drive improvements, and support operational excellence.
• Time Management – Prioritizes tasks and manages multiple projects in a fast‑paced environment.
• Adaptability – Responds effectively to changing production demands and operational challenges.
• Decision‑Making – Makes sound decisions quickly to minimize downtime and maintain productivity.
• Initiative – Proactively identifies opportunities for process improvement and cost reduction.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset – Seeks ways to improve efficiency, quality, and safety.
• Safety Awareness – Demonstrates commitment to maintaining a safe work environment.
• Conflict Resolution – Handles workplace issues professionally and effectively.
• Organization Skills – Manages documentation, schedules, reports, and projects efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize PLC‑based control systems, HMI applications, industrial networks, variable‑frequency drives (VFDs), servo systems, sensors, instrumentation, and other automated equipment.
• Support and enhance production equipment by identifying recurring failures, bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for automation or process improvement.
• Perform PLC and HMI programming modifications to improve equipment functionality, reliability, safety, troubleshooting capability, and production performance.
• Develop and maintain data acquisition systems that collect production and equipment information from PLCs, HMIs, drives, sensors, and other industrial control devices.
• Utilize production data to monitor equipment performance, cycle times, downtime, fault frequency, throughput, and other key performance indicators.
• Develop dashboards, reports, historian tags, alarms, and other tools that allow Production and Engineering teams to better understand equipment and process performance.
• Analyze equipment and process data to identify trends, recurring faults, production losses, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Integrate automated equipment and production systems using industrial communication networks and protocols such as Ethernet/IP, PROFINET, and related technologies.
• Troubleshoot complex electrical and automation problems involving PLC logic, I/O systems, communication networks, VFDs, motors, sensors, safety systems, and electromechanical equipment.
• Lead or support automation projects involving new equipment installations, equipment upgrades, control‑system modifications, and production‑line improvements.
• Develop automation solutions designed to increase production throughput, reduce unplanned downtime, improve equipment reliability, and enhance overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Work directly with Production and Maintenance teams to determine root causes of equipment failures and implement permanent corrective actions rather than relying solely on reactive repairs.
• Maintain PLC programs, HMI applications, drive parameters, electrical drawings, network configurations, control‑system backups, and technical documentation.
• Assist with development and implementation of preventive and predictive maintenance strategies using equipment condition and production data.
• Support commissioning, startup, testing, and validation of new or modified automated equipment.
• Identify opportunities to modernize legacy automation systems and improve standardization across production equipment.
• Ensure modifications to automation and electrical systems comply with company safety requirements, electrical standards, machine‑safety requirements, and applicable codes.
• Provide technical guidance and controls troubleshooting support to Maintenance and Production personnel.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401k (4% matching)
• Short Term/Long Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Vacation Pay
• Holiday Pay (starting on first day of employment)