Associate Controls Engineer - Cary

Job Description

Job Description

Join EAD to help solve complex controls and automation challenges in industrial facilities.

EAD supports projects across industrial manufacturing facilities, including food processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and parcel handling environments. This role offers the opportunity to lead a controls engineering team across projects of varying size and complexity in a fast-paced, multi-discipline, and practical engineering setting.

The Controls Engineer delivers accurate, practical, and high-quality controls engineering for industrial and manufacturing facilities. This role is responsible for control system design, programming, field support, troubleshooting, and cross-discipline coordination. EAD expects strong performance at every level: Associate Controls Engineer is expected to perform well in front of clients, work effectively in demanding on-site environments, and take ownership of their work.

This role requires sound judgment in active industrial facilities where field conditions, client operations, and project timelines demand a composed, adaptable, and resourceful engineer.

What Success Looks Like

In this role, success means:

• Delivering controls engineering work that is accurate, on time, on budget, and meets client and project requirements.
• Producing functional, buildable, and well-documented control system solutions.
• Coordinating effectively with project teams, other disciplines, and clients.
• Performing confidently and professionally in field environments, including commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting.
• Continuously building technical skills and discipline versatility.
• Owning your role in the success of the project by asking questions, closing loops, and learning fast.

Level Expectations

Associate Controls Engineer (3-6 years of experience)

• Delivers quality controls engineering work with growing independence under the guidance of a Discipline Lead or senior team member.
• Performs well in front of clients and in demanding on-site situations.
• Supports proposals and estimates by contributing technical input and hours estimates.
• Actively builds skills across control system platforms, field environments, and project types.
• Participates in design reviews and contributes to quality assurance.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, program, and commission PLC and DCS-based control systems for industrial and manufacturing facilities.
• Develop and configure HMI and SCADA applications to meet client and project requirements.
• Perform field activities including existing-condition verification, construction support, system checkout, commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting.
• Coordinate with mechanical, electrical, process, and other project team members to ensure controls scope aligns with overall project design and intent.
• Prepare clear engineering deliverables including control system design documentation, specifications, instrument lists, and panel design input.
• Support proposals and estimates with technical input, hours estimates, and scope definition appropriate to level.
• Participate in and contribute to design reviews, quality checks, and lessons learned.
• Interface with clients, vendors, contractors, and construction teams professionally and effectively.
• Maintain knowledge of applicable codes and standards such as National Electrical Code (NEC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and International Society of Automation (ISA).
• Communicate proactively with the project team and Discipline Lead regarding progress, issues, risks, and decisions.
• Contribute to a safe working environment and follow EAD safety standards and practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related technical field; equivalent combination of education, military service, training, and experience may also be considered.
• Associate: 3–6 years of controls engineering experience in industrial or manufacturing environments.
• Experience with PLC and/or DCS-based control system design, programming, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with HMI or SCADA programming and configuration.
• Experience performing field work including commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting in active industrial facilities.
• Experience working with multi-discipline project teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including the ability to interact effectively with clients, project teams, and field personnel.
• Ability to manage time, prioritize tasks, and deliver results within cost and schedule constraints.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in food and beverage, life sciences, pharmaceutical, parcel, or other industrial manufacturing environments.
• Experience with Rockwell / Allen-Bradley platforms including ControlLogix and CompactLogix.
• CAP, CCST, PE, or similar relevant credential, or commitment to pursuing one.
• Knowledge of NEC, NFPA, UL, and ISA codes and standards.
• Experience supporting or leading controls input to proposals and cost estimates.
• Professional Engineer (PE), Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Automation Professional (CAP), or similar relevant credential.
• Established industry relationships and a demonstrated ability to build client trust, support repeat business, and contribute to growth are strongly preferred.

Behavioral Expectations

• Acts with integrity, sound judgment, and professionalism.
• Owns commitments, follows through, and closes loops.
• Communicates early and clearly when risks, questions, or changes arise.
• Works in a way that helps the broader project team succeed.
• Brings a practical, solution-oriented mindset to complex field and project challenges.
• Seeks to understand field conditions, client needs, and cross-discipline impacts before acting.

Working Conditions

• Office, plant, or client site environment*
• Ability to perform field and client-site work.
• Ability to sit and work at computer for extended periods of time
• Ability to walk up numerous flights of stairs or ladders multiple times a day and/or work in tight spaces in extreme conditions
• May work near moving mechanical parts and equipment*
• Office, commercial and/or industrial setting with the potential of exposure to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals*
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.*
• Travel required, with periods of significant travel depending on project needs.
• Occasional night shift work may be required based on client operations and project schedules, though this is infrequent.
• Periodic weekend, holiday or evening work as needed
• Maintain a valid driver's license.

*EAD will provide training, administrative/engineering controls, and personal protective equipment as necessary.

We strongly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and background will lead to a better workplace for our employees and a better product for our customers.

EAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.