Controls Engineer

Overview We are seeking a Controls Engineer for our First Quality Baby Products facility located in Macon, GA. First Quality is a family-owned company with over 35 years of experience, employing over 5,000 team members across the U.S. and Canada. We design and manufacture high-quality personal care and household products and provide a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning and professional development. Responsibilities focus on specifying, designing, and implementing complex controls systems and software for production equipment, providing training to Controls Technicians, and supervising the Controls team. Responsibilities Observe OSHA and company safety rules; identify electrical hazards and take corrective action; demonstrate advanced National Electrical Code understanding and teach others. Lead and support internal teams and external partners to design, install, interface, start up new equipment and process controls, including electrical component selection, software assessments, machine acceptance testing, and problem resolution. Supervise and assign work to Controls Technicians; manage daily priorities and performance reviews. Specify DCS, PLCs, HMIs, servo systems, motors, drives, sensors, vision sensors, and data collection software; evaluate equipment from multiple sources for value and suitability. Design and modify PLC/DCS/HMI logic and servo controller logic to improve equipment and system performance; delegate tasks and provide quality checks on software development. Lead high-level troubleshooting of electrical, mechanical, and process problems; troubleshoot machinery, PLCs, HMIs, servo systems, and robotics with the team. Coordinate machine data collection and archiving; interface production and lab equipment with the plant network; maintain and improve the data historian system. Assist Production, Maintenance, and Engineering teams to meet priorities and special projects; lead small capital projects; support machine installations and upgrades with vendor and contractor coordination. Stay current on new controls technologies, industry trends, health and safety regulations; identify opportunities to improve operation performance and oversee projects to completion. Provide technical and operating training to production, warehouse, and other personnel; organize training for new personnel and coordinate with teams on troubleshooting skills. Participate in project planning and forecasting as part of budgeting; organize equipment documentation from OEMs and internal sources; develop safety procedures (Lock-Out/Tag-Out) for installed machines. Education and Experience Bachelors Degree in Electronics/Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field. Minimum of 1 year industrial controls experience; advanced knowledge of electrical theory and operation principles. Proficient PC skills including controls programming software, email, word processing, spreadsheets, and project management software. Ability to create and modify schematic drawings using AutoCAD. Strong collaboration with machine manufacturers, vendors, process engineers, product design, and maintenance staff to optimize equipment performance. Excellent communication with production staff to diagnose problems and causes; integrate machine networks and maintain data historian systems. Analytical skills and ability to identify root causes and trends; strong mathematical skills; advanced knowledge of PLC hardware and software; servo and HMI programming skills. Leadership abilities; ability to direct OEMs, vendors, and technicians; evaluate technician performance; creative problem-solving; manage multiple solutions and establish new standards to improve machine controls. Ability to perform quick electrical repairs and program changes during emergencies; work effectively with all departments. Work Environment Production Floor/Office setting. Must be able to assist with mechanical breakdowns as needed. What We Offer You We believe that by continuously improving the quality of our benefits, we can help raise the quality of life for our team members and their families. At First Quality you will receive: Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities Paid time off (three-week minimum) Medical, dental and vision starting day one 401(k) with employer match Paid parental leave Child and family care assistance (dependent care FSA with employer match up to $2500) Bundle of joy benefit (year’s worth of free diapers to all team members with a new baby) Tuition assistance Wellness program with savings of up to $4,000 per year on insurance premiums ...and more! First Quality is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, or protected Veteran status. For immediate consideration, please go to the Careers section at to complete our online application. #J-18808-Ljbffr First Quality