Senior Controls Engineer

About the role

This Senior Controls Engineer role focuses on designing, programming, implementing, and supporting industrial automation and process manufacturing systems for a diverse range of manufacturing clients. You will act as a technical leader on complex automation initiatives, ensuring reliable, efficient, and scalable control solutions while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams and mentoring junior engineers. This role supports industrial automation and process manufacturing projects for multiple manufacturing clients, providing exposure to a variety of production environments and technologies. You will work with PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems, including Allen-Bradley and Siemens platforms, and may spend time both in an office setting for design and programming tasks and on-site at manufacturing facilities for commissioning, troubleshooting, and support. The position involves close collaboration with project managers, clients, and engineering teams, as well as hands-on work with automation equipment and control systems in operational plants. This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Columbus, OH, and is a hybrid role.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement PLC, HMI, and SCADA solutions for industrial automation and process manufacturing applications.
• Program, configure, and troubleshoot Allen-Bradley and Siemens control systems to ensure reliable and efficient operation.
• Support process automation projects from initial concept and design through commissioning and handover.
• Collaborate with project managers, clients, and multidisciplinary engineering teams to plan and execute automation projects on schedule and within scope.
• Provide technical guidance, coaching, and mentorship to junior engineers and technical staff.
• Support startup, commissioning, and validation activities for new or upgraded automation systems at client facilities.
• Develop, review, and maintain automation documentation, including functional specifications, drawings, and system standards.
• Establish and uphold control system standards, best practices, and procedures across projects.
• Participate in customer meetings, design reviews, and technical discussions to clarify requirements and present solutions.
• Diagnose and resolve issues in manufacturing automation systems, minimizing downtime and improving system performance.

Requirements

• 10–15+ years of hands-on controls engineering experience in industrial automation or process manufacturing environments.
• Strong proficiency in PLC programming, including design, development, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Extensive experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs, including configuration, programming, and maintenance.
• Extensive experience with Siemens PLCs, including configuration, programming, and maintenance.
• Practical experience with HMI and SCADA platforms, including screen development and system integration.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and support manufacturing automation systems and control hardware.
• Solid background in controls engineering principles, including automation, electrical systems, and programming.
• Experience supporting process automation projects from concept through commissioning.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for diagnosing control system, electrical, and software issues in industrial environments.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with project managers, clients, and engineering teams to deliver successful projects.
• Ability to provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers on complex automation initiatives.

Qualifications

• Ignition platform experience for developing and integrating industrial applications.
• System integration experience, including connecting PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, and other plant-level systems.
• Experience leading technical projects, including planning, coordination, and oversight of automation deliverables.
• Experience participating in customer meetings and technical reviews to present and refine automation solutions.
• Experience developing and maintaining automation documentation, standards, and best practices.

Benefits

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-