Controls Engineer

Controls Engineer

This role focuses on supporting automation projects within a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. The Controls Engineer collaborates closely with onsite operations and engineering teams to drive automation initiatives, implement process improvements, execute system upgrades, and provide hands-on troubleshooting for manufacturing automation systems and control platforms.

Responsibilities

• Develop, modify, and troubleshoot PLC applications to support automated manufacturing processes.
• Design, configure, and troubleshoot HMI applications to ensure reliable operator interfaces and system visibility.
• Support manufacturing automation systems by monitoring performance, identifying issues, and implementing corrective actions.
• Assist with control system upgrades and continuous improvement projects to enhance reliability, efficiency, and compliance.
• Work cross-functionally with maintenance, operations, engineering, and validation teams to coordinate automation activities and resolve technical issues.
• Support startup and commissioning activities for new or upgraded automation systems, including testing, validation, and documentation.
• Create and maintain detailed technical documentation, including system configurations, design specifications, and change records.
• Diagnose and resolve controls-related issues in a timely manner to minimize production downtime and ensure product quality.
• Contribute to process automation initiatives within the pharmaceutical manufacturing environment, ensuring alignment with regulatory and quality standards.

Essential Skills

• 2–7 years of experience in controls engineering within an industrial or manufacturing setting.
• Hands-on experience with PLC programming and troubleshooting.
• Proficiency in automation and control systems, including PLCs and HMIs.
• Knowledge of Allen-Bradley and/or Siemens control platforms.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations and production environments.
• Ability to diagnose and resolve controls-related issues using systematic troubleshooting methods.
• Strong collaboration skills to work effectively with maintenance, operations, engineering, and validation teams.
• Ability to create, modify, and maintain technical documentation related to control systems and automation projects.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Ignition SCADA platforms.
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing experience and familiarity with regulated production environments.
• Process automation experience, including integration of control systems with manufacturing processes.
• SCADA experience, including configuration, monitoring, and data analysis.
• Supporting startup and commissioning activities for automation systems.

Work Environment

This position is based onsite within a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. The Controls Engineer works closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, and validation teams in a highly automated production environment that utilizes PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA systems such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, and Ignition. The role involves hands-on work with equipment and control systems on the production floor, participation in system startups and commissioning, and collaboration in cross-functional meetings.

The environment emphasizes safety, quality, and compliance with industry standards, and supports continuous improvement initiatives in manufacturing automation.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Columbus, OH.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $41.00 - $56.00/hr individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms.

If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and…