Controls Engineer

Job Description

About the Role

Pinnacle Partners is recruiting for a Controls Engineer in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This position will focus on programming and integrating custom automated production equipment for manufacturing customers. The ideal candidate will have hands-on controls experience, including PLC programming from scratch, servo/motion control, and HMI development, with a background working with custom automation or machine-building projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage medium and large-scale automation projects.
• Design, develop, and deploy turn-key automated production cells.
• Program and integrate industrial robots, including Fanuc, Yaskawa, ABB, KUKA, and UR.
• Perform PLC programming with Allen-Bradley Studio 5000 and Siemens TIA Portal.
• Develop and program servo/motion control systems, including Allen-Bradley Kinetix.
• Develop and integrate machine vision systems, including Keyence and Cognex.
• Create custom, integrated manufacturing solutions through PLC, PC, HMI, servo, VFD, and robotics programming.
• Write code for both existing machines and new automated equipment.
• Edit and modify existing programs as well as develop new programs from scratch.
• Commission automation projects at customer sites and support project validation.
• Work on multiple automation projects throughout different stages of development.
• Support custom automated equipment used in electric motor manufacturing, including motor winding machines, robotics, multiple production cells, and complex motion systems.
• Participate in projects from initial programming through machine build, debug, commissioning, and customer implementation.
• Collaborate with the engineering team throughout the approximately four-month equipment build process.
• Utilize AI tools to assist with pre-code, code review, copy/paste, find-and-replace, and other programming-related tasks.
• Support the development of AI-assisted tools designed to help customers troubleshoot machines and reduce downtime.
• Travel to customer sites as needed for commissioning, validation, and field support.
• Travel approximately 10-30% annually depending on project requirements, with most travel expected to be closer to 10-15%.
• Travel may include customer sites in Canada or Mexico.
• Maintain a flexible schedule, working 8 hours within the 6:00 AM-6:00 PM timeframe.

Requirements:

• 3+ years of controls or automation engineering experience.
• Strong PLC programming experience with Siemens or Rockwell/Allen-Bradley.
• Ability to program PLCs from scratch as well as modify and troubleshoot existing programs.
• Hands-on servo control and motion experience.
• Experience developing HMIs using Siemens, Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, or custom platforms.
• Ability to work on-site at customer locations for commissioning and validation.
• Ability to work on multiple automation projects simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of automated manufacturing equipment and controls systems.
• Comfortable working directly with machinery during assembly, debugging, and commissioning.
• Open-minded approach to using AI tools to improve programming efficiency and automate repetitive tasks.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Willingness to travel approximately 10-30% annually based on project needs.

Preferred:

• Experience programming industrial robots, particularly ABB or Fanuc.
• Experience with Python programming.
• Experience with machine vision systems such as Keyence or Cognex.
• Experience with electrical panel design, wiring, and related electrical design.
• Machine-building experience with custom automated equipment.
• Experience working with PLC, PC, HMI, servo, VFD, and robotics systems.
• Experience with project management or leading automation projects.
• 2- or 4-year degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Experience in electric motor manufacturing automation or similar custom manufacturing equipment.
• Experience working with multi-cell automated systems and complex motion applications.

Benefits Overview:

• $80K-$120K base salary, depending on experience and skill set.
• Discretionary annual bonus.
• Company credit card provided for business and travel expenses.
• Access to company pool vehicles for business travel, with rental vehicles also available when needed.
• No personal funds should be required for business travel expenses.
• Opportunity for on-the-job training and exposure to additional automation systems, machinery, and processes.
• Work alongside an engineering team of approximately 8 people, including software developers, PLC programmers, and controls engineers.

Explore More Engineering Opportunities

This role falls within our Engineering/Manufacturing division , where we specialize in placing professionals in areas such as:

• Mechanical/Electrical Engineering
• Manufacturing/Process Engineering
• Controls Engineering
• Project Engineering
• Technical Sales
• Operations / Plant Engineering

Explore additional Engineering roles and learn more about how we support Engineering professionals:

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