Specialist Controls Engineer

Controls & Automation Programmer – Multi-Platform PLC/HMI SpecialistUp to $120,000 Base Salary + Company Vehicle • Johnson Creek / Jefferson, WI Area • On-Site & FieldCompensation: Up to $120,000 Base Salary (commensurate with technical depth) + Assigned Company Vehicle + Full Benefits PackageWork Environment: High-autonomy field & shop environment across Southern WI & Northern IL | Relaxed, family-first culture with an average employee tenure of ~9 yearsExperience: 2+ years of hands-on industrial automation, controls, and multi-platform PLC/HMI programming (writing logic from scratch)Education: Open to practical hands-on experience without a degree, or candidates with an Associate Degree (A.S.) in Automated Systems, Controls, or MechatronicsTechnical Scope: Multi-platform PLC/HMI logic design, panel wiring troubleshooting, VFDs, safety circuits, and robotics/cobot retrofitsPerks & Future: High schedule independence, active ongoing training, and long-term equity/ownership potentialRequirements: US Citizen or Green Card holder with a valid driver's license; residing within 45 minutes of the Johnson Creek / Jefferson, WI areaIf you are a talented PLC programmer or controls technician tired of repetitive factory line maintenance, rigid corporate bureaucracy, and unappreciated off-shift hours, this role offers an ideal professional home. The employer is an established, high-growth automation integrator designing, building, and servicing custom electrical control panels, automation systems, and robotics across Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.With a tight-knit team of top controls professionals and an average tenure near a decade, this business operates on trust and schedule autonomy. Because you will work on a broad range of custom builds, retrofits, and field service solutions across multiple PLC/HMI platforms, no two days are ever the same. The owner actively invests in employee growth—offering technical training, high independence, an assigned company vehicle, and long-term equity/ownership opportunities.What You Will Be Doing (Daily Responsibilities)Serve as a Field Automation Specialist: Perform service calls, system startups, and client consultations across Wisconsin and Northern Illinois using a company-provided vehicle.Program Multi-Platform Controllers: Design and write custom control logic and HMI screens from scratch across various major industrial automation platforms.Troubleshoot Industrial Controls: Execute on-site electrical diagnostics and wiring for control panels, VFDs, DC controllers, sensors, and safety interlocks.Commission & Retrofit Machinery: Install and calibrate custom automation machinery, including panel retrofits, light curtains, laser scanners, and robot/cobot cell integrations.Interpret Technical Schematics: Read and analyze complex multi-page electrical drawings to resolve downtime issues and guarantee safety compliance.Manage Client Relationships: Act as a direct, trusted technical representative to support facility clients and resolve complex field challenges.What We Are Looking For (Requirements & Qualifications)2+ years of practical industrial automation experience, including writing PLC programs from scratch and configuring HMI screens across multiple control platforms.Electrical Systems Mastery: Strong foundational skills in electrical systems, control panel wiring, VFD configuration, and schematic reading.Education Flexibility: Degree not required if backed by strong hands-on experience; Associate Degree (A.S.) in Automated Systems, Controls, or Mechatronics is a plus.High Autonomy & Professionalism: Self-motivated mindset capable of managing dynamic field service schedules and customer interactions cleanly.Employment Stability: A reliable career track demonstrating solid tenure and long-term organizational commitment.Proximity & Licensing: Must reside within a 45-minute drive of Johnson Creek / Jefferson, WI, hold a valid driver's license, and be a US Citizen or Green Card holder.