Controls Engineer

Job Description

About A&E

Automation & Electronics USA Ltd. provides industrial automation and control solutions, primarily serving the sawmill and wood-products industry. Based in Arden, North Carolina, we design, build, program, install, commission, and support custom control systems and automation equipment for customers throughout North America.

Why Join Us

• Project ownership and variety: Have the autonomy to manage your assigned projects and make technical decisions within your responsibilities, from design and programming through commissioning and troubleshooting.

• A close working team: Join a small, collaborative team with an informal, hands-on culture. Work directly with colleagues, share ideas, and help each other solve problems.

• Broader technical experience: Work with customers and engineering teams in the United States, Canada, and New Zealand.

• Benefits: Paid time off (PTO), sick time, paid holidays, medical, dental, and vision benefits, and a SIMPLE IRA retirement plan.

What You Will Do

• Design, program, test, and troubleshoot PLC and HMI systems; integrate drives, sensors, instrumentation, and industrial networks.

• Develop and maintain electrical drawings, schematics, technical documentation, program revisions, and backups.

• Perform onsite startup, commissioning, optimization, and troubleshooting; provide remote support and customer training.

• Coordinate project schedules, equipment procurement, and control-panel builds with customers, vendors, panel builders, and internal teams.

• Support project scoping, proposals, and system improvements while following electrical codes, lockout/tagout procedures, and site safety requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience designing, programming, commissioning, and troubleshooting industrial controls, including PLC and HMI systems.

• Allen-Bradley PLC and Rockwell Automation software experience strongly preferred (AutoCAD, Studio 5000, and FactoryTalk View).

• Working knowledge of electrical systems, control panels, schematics, instrumentation, motor controls, and industrial networking and communications.

• Strong independent troubleshooting, communication, organization, and project coordination skills; ability to manage changing priorities and work collaboratively.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or a closely related discipline preferred. Equivalent advanced technical education and engineering experience may be considered.

• Valid driver’s license and eligibility to drive for company business; valid passport or ability to obtain and maintain one.

Travel and Schedule

Approximately 30-40% domestic and international travel, including overnight or multi-week assignments (usually 1-2 weeks). Participation in after-hours technical support is required as business needs arise, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Additional or irregular hours may be needed for commissioning, deadlines, and urgent customer support.

Physical Requirements

Work in office, shop, manufacturing, and customer-site environments. Duties involve sitting, standing, walking, bending, kneeling, climbing stairs, and using tools and electrical test equipment around industrial machinery with required protective equipment. Customer-site work may require extended standing or walking. Occasionally lift or move up to 60 pounds using safe techniques or assistance when needed. Travel by automobile and commercial air is required.

A&E Offers

• Employer sponsored Medical, Dental, Vision, EAP, Life Insurance, AD&D, STD & LTD

• Simple IRA Retirement Plan with Employer Match

• Paid Vacation, Holiday, Sick and Parental Leave

• Verizon Phone Discount

• Home Internet Reimbursement

• Work-from-home flexibility may be available, depending on business needs and manager approval

If you enjoy practical engineering, taking ownership of your work, and being part of a small team that works well together, we would like to hear from you.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Automation & Electronics USA Ltd. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable law.

For a complete overview of the role, responsibilities, and requirements, view the full Controls Engineer job description here .