Automation Controls Engineer

Automation Controls Engineer - Little Rock, AR

Lead and drive automation initiatives across all manufacturing lines, ensuring Automation and Controls engineering activities align with overall business objectives. This role is responsible for managing automation systems and supporting control system design, specification, and commissioning.

You will play a key role in developing and enhancing both new and existing manufacturing equipment, as well as modernizing legacy systems where controls have become obsolete.

Little Rock, Arkansas

$145,000 - $165,000 base salary + Bonus = 7%-10%.

Benefits
:
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, STD, LTD, Paid Vacation. 401(k) match. Benefits begin first day of the month following hire.

• Serve as a hands‑on engineer, actively installing and supporting new equipment throughout the plant.
• Lead automation projects from concept through completion, ensuring delivery on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Manage and coordinate external automation vendors and contractors.
• Oversee control system design, specification, programming, testing, and startup support.
• Implement code changes in accordance with established change control processes.
• Investigate issues and provide technical expertise to production, maintenance, and engineering teams.
• Support operations by addressing technical inquiries and troubleshooting challenges.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally to successfully deliver projects.
• Develop machine control systems, including servo motion and high‑speed device integration.
• Maintain responsibility for day‑to‑day automation system performance, reliability, and new project integration.
• Support automation data collection and reporting systems, network infrastructure, and system security.
• Stay current with emerging technologies to proactively address system obsolescence.
• Identify and implement production efficiency improvements through system and equipment design.
• Act as a resource to remove operational barriers and support continuous improvement and variation reduction initiatives.
• Complete required training as assigned by the supervisor.
• Adhere to all safety policies and company procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in Electrical Engineering, Industrial/Manufacturing/Controls Engineering, or Computer Science.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience with automated control systems in a high‑volume manufacturing environment.
• Strong expertise in PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA systems.
• Experience with:
  • Siemens: S5 & S7
  • Allen‑Bradley:
    Control Logix, RSView, Factory Talk SE/ME, Rockwell Historians, Rockwell Vantage Point
  • Wonderware
  • SQL
  • C/C++
  • Servo systems, VFDs, and related technologies
• Proven experience in project management, process engineering, system specification, costing, commissioning, maintenance planning, scheduling, cost tracking, contractor supervision, and spare parts management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Medical coverage with 80% of premiums covered
• Dental and vision coverage with no waiting period
• 401(k) with up to 4% company match
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Shopping discount program
• Quarterly bonus program for all employees