Controls Engineer

Role Summary

The Controls Engineer will be responsible for maintaining, upgrading, and optimizing the control and automation systems at Sonoco’s Paper Mill. The position will work closely with the maintenance, engineering, and operations teams to continuously improve the safety, reliability and productivity of mill systems and equipment. It has the responsibility to provide day to day technical support, develop strategic plans for system modernization, and lead or participate in project teams involving control system upgrades and installations.

• Act as project lead for automation and control projects.
• Utilize loop sheets and electrical elementary diagrams for troubleshooting.
• Use AutoCAD to create loop sheets and electrical elementaries for small control projects.
• Tune and evaluate control loop performance and audit control system performance – X,Y plots of control loops to find failing control devices.
• Work with engineers, operations management, maintenance personnel, and contractors to develop and meet scope, budget, and schedule requirements on assigned projects.
• Create documentation packages for bidding, installation, start-up, and maintenance of control system projects (scope of work, conduit layouts, cable schedules, connection drawings, bill of materials, preventative maintenance procedures, and required spares).
• Provide commissioning and startup support for controls projects.
• Develop and maintain a project funnel for automation and control system upgrades.
• Work with plant process engineers to optimize control system performance.
• Provide direction to the maintenance team on controls related work orders.
• Train the maintenance team on new and existing automation and control systems.
• Troubleshoot alongside the maintenance team during system upsets.

• Graduated from a four‑year college or university with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical, mechanical, or chemical engineering.
• Graduated from a two‑year college with an associate degree in electrical engineering and relevant field experience.
• Experience with PLC programming including ladder logic, function diagrams, and structured text. Specific experience with Rockwell/Allen Bradley and Siemens is a plus.
• Experience with AC and DC drives. Specific experience with Yaskawa, Siemens, and Rockwell is a plus.
• Experience with control system network interfaces and communications protocols.
• Experience with HMI configuration and programming.
• Experience with distributed control systems (DCS) and continuous process controls including field instrumentation and valves. Specific experience with ABB and Foxboro is a plus.
• Experience with control system preventative maintenance including software backups.
• Possess AutoCAD skills to allow the creation of power plans, single lines, control panel layouts, and electrical control diagrams.
• Can demonstrate good oral and written communication skills.
• Have a proven ability to work in a team environment requiring collaboration with all levels of the organization.
• Have experience with Schneider DCS, Voith QCS, and Rockwell Control Logix/Compact Logix PLC’s.

This is a progression position and can be Level I – Senior, based on experience.

Engineer I:
The annual base salary range for this role is from $70,080 – $78,840.

Engineer II:
The annual base salary range for this role is from $84,640 – $95,220.

Engineer III:
The annual base salary range for this role is from $102,080 – $114,840.

Senior Engineer:
The annual base salary range for this role is from $110,160 – $123,930.

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, including FSA and HSA options.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Wellbeing tools and resources to support holistic health, including an Employee Assistance Program with a variety of services.
• Paid time off and holidays to recreate, rejuvenate and care for the health of yourself and family.
• Variety of company paid and voluntary employee‑paid insurance plans including life, personal accident, and disability insurance.
• Tuition reimbursement.

* Benefits listed below are for employees located in the U.S. Specific benefits and wellbeing programs may vary depending on your location (within the U.S. or global), or if you are a union employee.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.