Controls Engineer

Controls Engineer

The Controls Engineer leads all engineering activities that support manufacturing operations, with ownership across machine design, automation, maintenance, safety, and facilities. This role partners closely with production leadership to drive equipment reliability, continuous improvement, and the safe operation of plant systems. The position is both strategic and hands-on, requiring strong leadership capabilities and deep technical expertise in automation, PLCs, machine design, and preventive maintenance.

• Lead engineering activities that support manufacturing operations, ensuring reliable and efficient performance of plant equipment and systems.
• Design or oversee the design of custom machines and automation solutions, ensuring new equipment integrates smoothly and functions reliably within existing plant systems.
• Program, configure, and troubleshoot PLCs, with a strong emphasis on Omron platforms, ladder logic, and machine sequencing in a manufacturing environment.
• Develop, execute, and continuously improve Preventive Maintenance programs to maximize equipment uptime, reliability, and long-term performance.
• Own and enhance equipment reliability strategies, identifying root causes of failures and implementing corrective and preventive actions.
• Apply and maintain industrial safety systems, including light curtains, interlocks, emergency stops, and other machine safety devices to support safe plant operations.
• Integrate and support vision systems used for inspection and quality control, ensuring accurate and reliable automated inspection processes.
• Provide strong troubleshooting support across electrical, mechanical, and automation systems to resolve manufacturing issues quickly and effectively.
• Offer technical leadership to engineering and production teams, guiding real-time decisions and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
• Read, interpret, and apply electrical prints, mechanical drawings, and process specifications in the design, modification, and maintenance of equipment.
• Collaborate closely with production leadership and cross-functional teams to align engineering solutions with operational goals and quality standards.
• Ensure that all engineering work adheres to relevant safety standards, quality requirements, and best practices in manufacturing.

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• 3–10 years of experience in an engineering leadership or senior technical role within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong hands-on experience programming and troubleshooting Omron PLCs, including ladder logic and machine sequencing.
• Proven ability to design or oversee the design of custom machines and integrate automation into existing plant systems.
• Demonstrated experience developing, executing, and managing Preventive Maintenance programs focused on equipment reliability and uptime.
• Working knowledge of industrial safety systems such as light curtains, interlocks, and emergency stop circuits.
• Experience with vision systems and automated inspection for quality control.
• Strong troubleshooting skills across electrical, mechanical, and automation systems in manufacturing settings.
• Solid understanding of mechanical and electrical machine systems and how they interact in automated production environments.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical prints, mechanical drawings, and process specifications accurately.

• Significant experience with Omron PLCs is a strong plus.
• Experience in machine automation and sequencing, including coordination of multiple control devices and sensors.
• Background in industrial safety practices and standards applied to automated machinery.
• Experience supporting quality control inspection processes using vision systems and other automated inspection tools.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, with the ability to guide engineering teams and influence production decisions in real time.
• Experience driving continuous improvement initiatives focused on equipment performance, safety, and process optimization.

This role operates in a manufacturing plant…