Automation and Controls Engineer

Controls Engineer

We are seeking a Controls Engineer to design, program, debug, and commission custom automation systems that solve complex manufacturing challenges across industries including medical, consumer products, industrial, automotive, and more. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys creating new machines and automated systems rather than focusing primarily on maintaining existing production equipment. You'll work alongside mechanical and electrical engineers, machinists, electricians, assemblers, project managers, and customers throughout the project lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Support the controls portion of custom automation projects from concept through customer acceptance.
• Collaborate with mechanical and electrical engineers to develop reliable and maintainable control systems.
• Design electrical control systems, including schematics, panel layouts, and I/O documentation.
• Develop, test, and debug PLC, HMI, motion control, and safety programs.
• Program primarily with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation platforms, including Logix, GuardLogix, PanelView, and FactoryTalk View.
• Support controls debug during panel build, machine assembly, machine runoff, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), installation, and startup.
• Participate in design reviews and technical discussions with customers and internal project teams.
• Troubleshoot complex technical issues using a systematic, root-cause approach.
• Work with robotics, machine vision, servo motion, industrial networking, and other advanced automation technologies.
• Follow and contribute to engineering standards, documentation, reusable code libraries, and programming best practices.
• Collaborate with Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing, Assembly, Project Management, Purchasing, and Service teams.
• Support customer startups and project implementation, including approximately 10% travel.
• Continuously improve automation designs, controls standards, documentation, and engineering processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related technical discipline preferred; equivalent hands-on industry experience will be considered.
• Hands-on controls engineering experience designing, programming, debugging, and commissioning custom industrial machinery or complex automated systems.
• Experience with motion control, including servo systems, coordinated multi-axis motion, and high-speed automation.
• Strong PLC and HMI programming experience, primarily with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation.
• Experience with Logix/Studio 5000, GuardLogix, PanelView, and FactoryTalk View or comparable platforms.
• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar electrical design software.
• Experience supporting automation projects through multiple stages of the project lifecycle, including programming, debug, machine runoff, FAT, installation, and startup.
• Ability to troubleshoot electrical, controls, and automation issues independently.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, engineering drawings, and technical documentation.
• Willingness to travel approximately 10% for customer startups and project implementation.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience integrating industrial robots such as FANUC, Yaskawa, Epson, ABB, or similar platforms is a plus.
• Experience designing electrical control systems and developing electrical schematics, panel layouts, and I/O documentation.
• Experience with industrial vision systems such as Cognex, Keyence, or comparable technologies is a plus.
• Familiarity with C# or other object-oriented programming languages is a plus.
• Experience with Ignition, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Beckhoff, or other industrial controls platforms is a plus.
• Knowledge of industrial safety systems, functional safety, and machine risk assessments is a plus.
• Experience with industrial networking and advanced manufacturing technologies is a plus.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across engineering, manufacturing, project management, and customer teams.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple projects and priorities.
• Self-motivated problem solver who enjoys learning new technologies and tackling unique engineering challenges.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Performance-based incentive opportunities.
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, with supplemental coverage options.
• Company-sponsored Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• 401(k) with a 4% employer match per pay period.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• 10 company-paid holidays.
• Ongoing opportunities for professional development and career growth.
• Opportunity to work on challenging, custom automation projects using robotics, vision systems, servo motion, AI-enabled inspection, and advanced automation technologies.
• Collaborative, team-oriented work environment with exposure to projects across multiple industries.
• Stable, family-owned organization focused on long-term growth, innovation, and investing in its employees.