Controls Engineer

Controls Engineer

Industry: Manufacturing
Department: Engineering
Reports To: Engineering Manager
Employment Type: Full-Time | Salaried

Position Overview


Our client is seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to support Engineering, Maintenance, and Production within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This position will be responsible for developing, troubleshooting, improving, and maintaining plant controls systems, automation equipment, PLCs, robotics, HMIs, and associated electrical systems.

The Controls Engineer will work closely with Maintenance Technicians and Engineering on both new and existing equipment, while also providing technical leadership during equipment downtime and controls-related issues.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to Engineering, Maintenance, and Production for PLC, controls, automation, and robotic systems .
• Develop and maintain controls standards and equipment specifications.
• Troubleshoot PLC, robotic, electrical, HMI, and machine-control issues.
• Design, write, modify, and troubleshoot advanced electrical controls programs.
• Program and modify ladder logic, robotic programs, operator interfaces, relay logic, motor controls, and electrical distribution systems .
• Support the installation, assembly, commissioning, and launch of new and reused manufacturing equipment.
• Lead controls-related troubleshooting during equipment downtime and assist Maintenance personnel in quickly identifying root causes.
• Plan and execute upgrades, modifications, and continuous improvement projects involving existing controls systems.
• Maintain and update equipment documentation, including:
  • Electrical schematics
  • Panel layouts
  • PLC programs
  • HMI/operator interface programs
  • Robot programs
  • Hydraulic and pneumatic schematics
  • Machine power distribution
  • Equipment specifications and acceptance documentation
• Maintain scheduled backups of machine controls and robotic programs.
• Install and maintain plant-floor machine controls connected to Ethernet networks, gateways, data highways, and machine communication systems .
• Support Preventive Maintenance activities related to electrical and controls systems.
• Lead cross-functional project teams on controls and automation initiatives.
• Assist with technical training and development of Maintenance personnel.
• Ensure controls systems and equipment comply with applicable NEC, OSHA, ANSI, and RIA standards .
• Support additional manufacturing engineering projects as needed.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or technical education in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Industrial Technology, Engineering Technology, or a related discipline preferred .
• Technical background in electrical controls, hydraulics, and pneumatics required.
• 10+ years of progressive controls, automation, assembly, or industrial maintenance experience preferred.
• Strong hands-on experience with industrial controls and automated manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to create, read, understand, troubleshoot, and modify electrical prints and specifications.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours when necessary to support production and customer requirements.

Preferred Controls & Automation Experience


Hands-on experience with several of the following is highly preferred:

• Allen-Bradley PLCs
• RSLogix / Studio 5000
• FactoryTalk View
• PanelView HMIs
• Fanuc Robotics
• ABB Robotics
• HMI and operator interface systems
• Industrial Ethernet and machine networking
• Motor controls and electrical distribution
• Hydraulics and pneumatics
• AutoCAD
• Microsoft Project
• Manufacturing safety standards including OSHA, ANSI, and RIA

Ideal Candidate


The ideal candidate is a hands-on Controls Engineer who is comfortable on the plant floor and can move between programming, troubleshooting, equipment launches, continuous improvement, and supporting Maintenance during downtime.

This person should be particularly strong with Allen-Bradley PLCs, robotics, HMIs, electrical troubleshooting, and automated manufacturing equipment and be capable of taking ownership of controls-related problems from diagnosis through resolution.