Controls Engineer

PLC-Based Automation | Industrial Machinery | Startup & Commissioning

Location: Norcross, GA

Employment: Full-Time

Reports To: Engineering Manager

Compensation: Very Competitive, Based On Experience

Travel: Approximately 25%, for on-site commissioning of machines

We are seeking a Controls or Electrical Engineer with 3+ years of experience supporting PLC-based automation and robotic systems, industrial electrical controls, and automated manufacturing equipment in production environments.

This role is responsible for commissioning, startup-support, and ongoing troubleshooting and testing of automated production equipment. You will work hands-on with Beckhoff Twincat PLC and motion platforms, Cobots such as Universal Robotics, HMI/SCADA systems, and industrial control networks.

This position includes approximately 25% travel to support on-site machine commissioning. The ideal candidate combines strong technical depth with a proven ability to reduce downtime, improve equipment reliability, and optimize production processes through effective root cause analysis and control system enhancements.

• Commission Beckhoff Twincat automation systems, including programming, panel wiring verification, I/O checkout, and loop checks.
• Provide startup support for new equipment installations, coordinating with vendors, integrators, and internal engineering/operations teams.
• Troubleshoot and support startup of existing production machines, diagnosing control and mechanical/electrical faults to restore equipment to running condition.
• Troubleshoot ladder logic, structured text, other IEC
  61131-3 programming structures
• Diagnoseandresolveelectricalcontrolissuesincludingmotorcontrols,VFDs,Servo Motion,remoteI/O,safetycircuits,E-stops,andinterlocks.
• Configure and support HMI/SCADA systems for operator visibility and control
• Configure and troubleshoot industrial networks (Ether Net/IP, Ethercat, Profibus, Device Net, Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC-UA).
• Interpret and maintain electrical schematics, blueprints, BOMs, loop drawings, control layouts, and documentation using SkyCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, or EPLAN P8.
• Conduct root cause analysis on equipment breakdowns and alarms, driving downtime reduction and reliability improvements.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, maintenance, and engineering teams to support production schedules and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure all work complies with safety standards, including safety systems, SIL requirements, OSHA regulations, and Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures.
• Travel approximately
  25% ofthetime
  tocustomerorfacilitysitestosupporton-site commissioning,startup,andtroubleshootingofmachines.
• Maintain SOP compliance and support development of standardized commissioning and troubleshooting procedures.

• 3+ years of experience supporting Beckhoff Twincat automation systems, industrial electrical controls, and automated manufacturing equipment in a production environment.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Controls/Automation Technology, or related field (equivalent hands-on experience will be considered in lieu of a degree).
• Hands-on experience programming and troubleshooting PLCs,
  Universal Robotics Cobots, and HMIs.
• Proficiencyinladderlogic,structuredtext,FBD,orSFCprogramminglanguages,withstrongI/Odiagnosticsskills.
• ExperiencewithHMI/SCADAplatformssuchas Blazor
• Working knowledge of industrial networking protocols:
  Ether Net/IP,
  EtherCAT
  , Profibus, Device Net, Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC-UA.
• Abilitytoreadandinterpretelectricalschematics,withproficiencyinSkyCADorAutoCADpreferred
• Proven ability to troubleshoot and support startup of existing production machines, diagnosing and resolving faults to restore…