Senior Controls Engineer

Senior Controls EngineerBased in Columbus, OH, we are an industry leader designing, manufacturing, and supporting highly automated production systems and equipment for food manufacturing and industrial processing environments.We're seeking a Senior Controls Engineer with expertise in industrial automation, PLC programming, and controls engineering to provide technical leadership across manufacturing operations, customer-installed equipment, and capital projects. This role is ideal for a hands-on automation professional who enjoys solving complex controls challenges while driving standardization, reliability, and continuous improvement initiatives.Role and Responsibilities:Lead the design, programming, commissioning, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of PLC, HMI, motion control, and automated manufacturing systemsEstablish controls engineering standards including programming architecture, documentation practices, backup strategies, version control, and cybersecurity protocolsSupport capital projects, equipment installations, retrofits, startups, FAT, SAT, and commissioning activitiesProvide hands-on support for PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servo systems, motion control, industrial networks, instrumentation, machine safety, and vision systemsTroubleshoot and resolve controls-related issues to improve equipment reliability, uptime, throughput, and operational performanceDevelop and maintain electrical schematics, panel layouts, controls documentation, and engineering records using EPLANLead root cause analysis efforts and implement corrective actions for controls, automation, and equipment failuresCollaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, IT, OEMs, system integrators, and customer teams to support long-term equipment performanceMentor controls engineers, technicians, and maintenance personnel while strengthening organizational automation expertiseSupport manufacturing system integration, industrial data collection, remote access technologies, and automation modernization initiativesQualifications:Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Automation Engineering, or related discipline, or equivalent controls engineering experience7+ years of hands-on controls engineering, automation, or industrial equipment support experienceStrong experience programming, troubleshooting, commissioning, and improving automated manufacturing equipmentExperience with Allen-Bradley, Rockwell Automation, Siemens, and Omron PLC platformsKnowledge of HMI development, industrial networking, VFDs, servo systems, motion control, instrumentation, and machine control systemsExperience with EPLAN, electrical schematics, panel design documentation, and controls documentationExperience supporting equipment installations, capital projects, startups, commissioning activities, and manufacturing operationsAbility to travel approximately 25-50% to support manufacturing facilities, customer sites, and engineering initiativesBenefitsCompetitive Salary Between $110-130k401(k) w/MatchGenerous PTO/Vacation PackageMedical, Dental, Vision - STD/LTD, Life Insurance etc.Travel as Needed