Automation and Controls Engineer

Automation and Controls Engineer / Controls Engineer / Electrical Controls Engineer / PLC Engineer

Michigan City, IN | Full-Time | On-Site

Stop reacting to controls issues. Start owning the system.

Are you an automation and controls engineer who is tired of troubleshooting the same problems without fixing the root cause? This is an opportunity to take real ownership of PLCs, HMIs, and control systems in a manufacturing environment where your work directly impacts uptime, performance, and production stability.

This is not a support-only role. You will design, program, troubleshoot, and improve control systems across a continuous manufacturing operation — eliminating recurring issues and improving system performance at the root cause level.

My client, a global manufacturer of custom-engineered industrial materials, is seeking an Automation and Controls Engineer to support maintenance and manufacturing operations through controls design, programming, and troubleshooting. This is a full-time, on-site role based in the Michigan City, Indiana area, ideal for an engineer who thrives at the intersection of automation, electrical systems, and hands-on manufacturing support.

If you're ready to make an immediate impact in a visible role, this opportunity combines hands-on troubleshooting with the ability to design and improve automation systems in a complex manufacturing environment.

• Base salary: $81,000–$91,000 + 10% annual bonus
• Low-cost Blue Cross Blue Shield medical (85% company paid premium), dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with 100% company match up to 5%
• 8 paid company holidays per year
• Company-paid life insurance, short-term, and long-term disability
• Strong support for automation improvements, controls modernization, and continuous improvement

• Design and develop electrical control systems and manufacturing equipment
• Program and troubleshoot PLC systems using Siemens Step 7 and TIA Portal
• Develop and support HMI and SCADA systems including WinCC platforms
• Troubleshoot complex electrical, mechanical, and controls-related equipment issues
• Support maintenance and production teams in resolving equipment and process problems
• Design control logic, wiring schematics, and AutoCAD electrical drawings
• Support integration of automation systems including industrial networks such as Profibus, Profinet, and Ethernet
• Work with motor controls, drives, and variable frequency drives
• Create and maintain documentation including PLC programs, schematics, and troubleshooting guides
• Support plant operations with on-call troubleshooting as needed

• Be able to do the job as described
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or related field
• 3+ years of hands-on automation and controls experience in manufacturing or system integration
• Strong PLC programming experience (Siemens preferred)
• Experience with HMI/SCADA systems and controls integration
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in automated environments
• Experience with electrical systems, motor controls, and industrial networks
• Strong communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally with maintenance and production teams
• Experience in plastics manufacturing, extrusion, or continuous process environments is a plus

We’d love to see your resume, but we don’t need it to have a conversation. Send us an email and tell me why you’re interested. Or, if you do have a resume ready, apply here.