Controls Engineer

Job description:

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship or relocation assistance.

Reports To: Engineering Director

JG Kern Enterprises is seeking an experienced Senior Controls Engineer to lead the design, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of automation systems supporting our precision CNC machining and assembly operations.

This position is responsible for taking automation projects from concept through production launch, including electrical hardware design, PLC/HMI programming, robotics integration, machine safety, installation, commissioning, and validation.

Unlike a maintenance controls technician, this position serves as the technical leader for automation engineering and future manufacturing technologies.

• Design and develop complete automated manufacturing cells.
• Develop electrical architectures for new manufacturing equipment.
• Specify all electrical and controls hardware.
• Develop system layouts and electrical schematics.
• Create control panel designs.
• Select sensors, drives, PLCs, HMIs, robots, safety devices, servos, vision systems, and industrial networking hardware.
• Develop Bills of Material for controls hardware.

Develop and maintain PLC programs including:

• Allen-Bradley Control Logix
• Compact Logix
• Siemens S7 (preferred)
• Mitsubishi (plus)

Programming responsibilities include:

• Machine sequencing
• Motion control
• Servo integration
• PID control
• Production diagnostics
• Fault recovery
• Recipe management

Develop operator interfaces including:

• Factory Talk View
• Siemens WinCC
• Ignition (preferred)

Responsibilities include:

• Production screens
• Alarm management
• Diagnostic screens
• Machine setup pages
• OEE displays
• Maintenance diagnostics

Develop robotic applications including:

• FANUC (primarily)
• ABB (bonus)
• Yaskawa (bonus)
• Kawasaki (bonus)

Responsibilities include:

• Robot programming
• Vision integration
• End‑of‑arm tooling
• Safety zones
• Machine tending
• Material handling
• Bin picking (preferred)

Develop and integrate vision inspection systems including:

• Cognex
• Keyence
• FANUC iRVision

Provide advanced troubleshooting for:

• PLC issues
• Servo systems
• Robots

Serve as the highest level technical resource for complex automation issues.

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Controls Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 8 years of industrial controls engineering experience.
• Proven experience designing automation systems from concept to production.
• Strong PLC programming experience.
• Strong electrical design experience.
• Experience leading automation projects.
• Experience with:
• CNC machining centers
• CNC lathes
• Robotic machine tending
• Flexible manufacturing systems
• Automated gauging
• Leak testing
• Laser marking
• Conveyor systems
• Industrial vision
• Barcode/RFID systems
• Automotive manufacturing experience required.
• Networks
• HMIs
• Vision systems
• Electrical controls

J. G. Kern Enterprises, Inc. recognizes that our team members are our most valuable asset, and we are committed to providing them with a safe, drug‑free workplace fostering respect and ethical treatment. Unlawful discrimination in employment decisions based on race, color, religion, ethnic/national origin, age, sex, veteran status, disability, or any similar protected status is strictly prohibited. In return for their expertise and shared commitment to our goals, we offer our team members competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package.