Controls Engineer

Controls Engineer

This position offers an experienced Controls Engineer the opportunity to join a growing machine builder and contribute immediately to active projects in an industrial automation environment. You will work with Allen-Bradley PLCs and Fanuc robotics, support current installations with minimal guidance, and eventually own projects from concept through commissioning. The role combines hands-on controls design, programming, and field support, with significant travel to customer sites and clear potential to advance into higher-level leadership responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and install machine controls and operator interfaces for automated equipment.
• Program, edit, and troubleshoot Allen-Bradley PLCs on systems that are already through the design phase.
• Develop, modify, and optimize Fanuc robotics programs, including integration with PLC-controlled systems.
• Troubleshoot and resolve hardware and software issues on automated equipment, both in-house and at customer sites.
• Use AutoCAD Electrical to create, review, and update electrical schematics and panel layouts.
• Collaborate with mechanical and electrical teams to ensure seamless system integration and reliable machine performance.
• Support cradle-to-grave project work over time, including concept development, design, programming, testing, installation, and commissioning.
• Travel to customer sites approximately 40% of the time to perform installation, startup, troubleshooting, and customer support.
• Apply mechanical aptitude to understand machine operation, diagnose issues, and recommend improvements.
• Maintain documentation of programs, schematics, and changes to ensure accurate records and knowledge transfer.
• Adhere to safety standards and support production efficiency and reliability goals in all controls and automation work.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of experience working as a Controls Engineer in an industrial automation environment.
• Proficiency with Allen-Bradley PLCs, including editing and troubleshooting existing programs.
• Hands-on experience with Fanuc robotics programming and integration with automated equipment.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for both hardware and software issues on automated systems.
• Ability to work independently and be self-sufficient, with minimal supervision on active projects.
• Proficiency in PLC programming, including developing logic from scratch.
• Experience using AutoCAD Electrical for designing and updating electrical schematics.
• Mechanical aptitude to understand machine operation and interact effectively with mechanical systems.
• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 40% of the time, including overnight trips.
• Valid U.S. passport to support travel requirements.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in industrial automation, machine building, or supporting automated manufacturing systems.
• Experience in system integration, including coordinating PLCs, robotics, and related control hardware.
• Familiarity with reading, creating, and maintaining detailed electrical and mechanical schematics.
• Interest in growing into higher-level leadership responsibilities within a machine-building organization.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

Work Environment

The role is based in an industrial automation setting focused on machine building and supporting automated manufacturing systems. You will work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment that emphasizes troubleshooting, system integration, and meeting production efficiency and safety standards. The position involves approximately 40% travel, with ebbs and flows that may include periods of several months without travel and occasional stretches of up to two weeks of overnight travel at a time.

While traveling, all expenses are covered, and a daily per diem and hourly travel premium apply. You will regularly work with technologies such as Allen-Bradley PLCs, Fanuc robotics, and AutoCAD Electrical, and you will spend time both on the shop floor and at customer sites commissioning and supporting automated equipment.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of…