Controls Engineer

Controls Engineer

Location: Cary, IL Employment Type: Full-Time | On-Site Reports To: Head Engineer / Engineering Leadership Travel: Approximately 20% travel for customer site startups, troubleshooting, training, and service support (typically about once per month depending on project volume). Compensation: $90,000 - $110,000 per year, based on experience. Benefits: Medical and Dental. We cover 100% of employee and 50% of family coverage. We don't offer vision or life insurance at this time. Simple IRA with 3% employer contribution. PTO - 3 weeks for the first 10 Years.

Job Summary

Ross and White Company is seeking a hands-on Controls Engineer to support the design, programming, troubleshooting, startup, and continuous improvement of custom heavy-duty vehicle wash systems. This position works closely with the company's senior engineer to support day-to-day engineering operations, develop control systems, troubleshoot equipment, assist with customer installations, and help improve existing products. The ideal candidate combines strong PLC and controls experience with mechanical aptitude and enjoys working in a collaborative, non-corporate manufacturing environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, modify, and troubleshoot PLC and HMI programs for custom wash systems.
• Program and support Automation Direct / DirectLOGIC PLCs or comparable PLC platforms.
• Design and integrate electrical control systems including relays, motor starters, sensors, VFDs, and related components.
• Review previous system designs and project documentation to support new customer solutions.
• Collaborate with sales and project teams to understand customer requirements.
• Review AutoCAD drawings to verify layouts, dimensions, and system functionality.
• Diagnose and resolve electrical, mechanical, and controls-related issues.
• Travel to customer locations for equipment startup, commissioning, testing, troubleshooting, and operator training.
• Assist with customer training during new equipment installations.
• Support project documentation, bills of materials, and quotation development.
• Work closely with engineering, production, service, sales, and leadership to ensure successful project completion.
• Recommend and implement continuous improvements to equipment and control systems.

Required Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with PLC programming, controls, automation, or industrial troubleshooting.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to understand complex equipment systems.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, blueprints, technical drawings, and system layouts.
• Experience working with electrical control panels, relays, sensors, motor starters, VFDs, and related components.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD or similar drafting software.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work directly with customers during installations and service visits.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Willingness to travel as needed.
• Associate degree, technical school, trade school, engineering technology education, or equivalent hands-on experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Approximately 5+ years of controls, automation, or related technical experience.
• Experience with Automation Direct / DirectLOGIC PLC systems.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Mitsubishi, GE, or other PLC platforms.
• Background in industrial automation, controls engineering, PLC programming, OEM equipment manufacturing, systems integration, HVAC controls, manufacturing maintenance, field service, or similar industries.
• Experience supporting custom equipment or heavy industrial machinery.
• Four-year engineering degree is a plus but not required.

Work Environment / Schedule

This is a full-time, on-site position based in Cary, Illinois. The Controls Engineer works closely with engineering, production, service, sales, and leadership in a collaborative manufacturing environment. Regular travel to customer sites is required for equipment startup, testing, troubleshooting, and training.

Compensation and Benefits

• Annual salary of $90,000 - $110,000, based on experience.
• Medical and Dental. We cover 100% of employee and 50% of family coverage. We don't offer vision or life insurance at this time.
• Simple IRA with 3% employer contribution.
• PTO - 3 weeks for the first 10 Years.

EEO Statement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law. #ZR