Controls Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Controls Engineer | Remote
Contract | Expected 3–6 month engagement (part-time, estimated 8-12 hours/week)

Target pay range: $60–100/hr depending on experience

We are seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to support troubleshooting, debugging, and optimization of PLC-based control systems in an existing automated warehouse environment. This role focuses on stabilizing and improving current system performance, resolving intermittent faults, and enhancing code reliability.

The ideal candidate has strong hands-on debugging experience and is comfortable working with live systems in a fast-paced operations environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Diagnose and troubleshoot issues in existing PLC programs supporting automated material handling systems
• Analyze inefficient or unstable control logic impacting uptime and system performance
• Partner with operations, maintenance, and engineering teams to identify root causes of failures
• Review existing PLC code and recommend improvements for reliability, maintainability, and performance
• Support testing, validation, and deployment of bug fixes and system updates
• Document changes, findings, and recommendations for long-term system improvements
• Assist with tuning sequences, interlocks, and fault-handling routines
• Troubleshoot communication between PLCs and higher-level systems (WMS/WCS, SCADA, etc.)

Skills | Knowledge | Experience

• 5+ years of experience in industrial controls engineering or automation
• Strong hands-on PLC troubleshooting and debugging experience in live production environments
• Proven ability to work within complex existing codebases, not just new system development
• Experience with industrial communication protocols such as Ethernet/IP and Modbus
• Experience with WAGO PLCs preferred
• Proficiency with CODESYS (IEC 61131-3 programming environment)
• Familiarity with Structured Text, Ladder Logic, and Function Block Diagrams
• Experience integrating PLCs with MES/WMS/WCS systems using REST APIs and OPC UA
• Experience with automated material handling systems such as conveyors, AS/RS, robotics integration, and sortation systems
• Experience in warehouse automation or distribution center environments preferred
• Knowledge of electrical controls systems from both software and hardware troubleshooting perspectives

Travel
Occasional travel to the client site in the Dallas/Fort Worth area will be required.

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