Automation Controls Engineer

ADP, Inc.; Apex (NC); On-site; USD 115,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ADP, Inc. in Apex, NC is seeking an Automation & Controls Engineer to support NA facilities. The role focuses on PLC, HMI, industrial networking, and control systems, with a strong emphasis on commissioning, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.

The engineer will drive standardization, improve equipment reliability, safety, and quality, and work with operations across North America with autonomy and accountability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in EE or related field.
• Three+ years hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs.
• Experience with Rockwell FactoryTalk View Studio (ME/SE).
• Willingness to travel to NA manufacturing locations.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on automation and controls support across NA, including remote and on-site troubleshooting.
• Commission, program, modify, and troubleshoot Allen-Bradley PLC systems.
• Develop and troubleshoot Rockwell FactoryTalk View ME/SE applications.
• Configure, modify, and troubleshoot Allen-Bradley PanelView terminals.
• Diagnose control system issues involving I/O, field devices, and wiring.
• Lead root cause investigations and implement corrective actions.
• Maintain backups, version control, and disaster recovery plans.
• Document modifications per company standards.

Skills

Automation engineering

PLC programming

Industrial networking

Troubleshooting

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

CompactLogix/ControlLogix

FactoryTalk View Studio ME/SE

PanelView

EtherNet/IP

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Professional Apex, NC, US

Salary Range: $115,000.00 To $130,000.00 Annually

This position pays between $115,000. - $130,000

Job Summary:

The Automation & Controls Engineer provides hands‑on automation and controls engineering support across North American manufacturing facilities. The position serves as the primary technical resource for PLC, HMI, industrial networking, and control systems, supporting commissioning, troubleshooting, continuous improvement, and capital projects. This role develops practical automation solutions, drives standardization efforts, and improves equipment reliability, safety, quality, and operational performance. This position operates with a high degree of autonomy and independence. The Automation & Controls Engineer will evaluate manufacturing and controls challenges, develop solutions, establish standards where none currently exist, and drive implementation while collaborating with operations.

What you will be doing:

• Provide hands‑on automation and controls support across NA, including remote and on‑site troubleshooting.
• Commission, program, modify, and troubleshoot Allen‑Bradley CompactLogix and ControlLogix PLC systems.
• Develop, modify, deploy, and troubleshoot Rockwell FactoryTalk View Studio ME and SE applications.
• Commission, configure, modify, and troubleshoot Allen‑Bradley PanelView operator interface terminals.
• Diagnose industrial control system issues involving digital and analog I/O, field devices, instrumentation, control wiring, communications, and related hardware.
• Develop and implement automation solutions based on desired equipment and process outcomes, utilizing sound engineering judgment where standards do not already exist.
• Support equipment startups, upgrades, controls retrofits, and integration of new manufacturing equipment.
• Troubleshoot Ethernet and EtherNet/IP communications, network connectivity, and device communications.
• Partner with plant engineering, maintenance, operations, OEMs, IT resources, vendors, and system integrators to implement automation improvements.
• Lead root cause investigations related to automation and controls failures and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Maintain PLC backups, version control, system recovery procedures, and disaster recovery plans for critical automation assets.
• Document PLC, HMI, network, and control system modifications in accordance with company standards.
• Establish and maintain automation, PLC programming, HMI development, and controls hardware standards across North American facilities.
• Support capital projects through controls design reviews, FAT/SAT participation, equipment commissioning, and project startup activities.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership and training to plant engineering, maintenance, and operations personnel.
• Evaluate new automation technologies and identify opportunities for continuous improvement and standardization.
• Travel to North American manufacturing locations as required to support troubleshooting, commissioning, projects, and operational needs.
• Exercise independent judgment in diagnosing controls‑related issues and implementing corrective actions.
• Serve as the company primary technical resource for automation and controls systems.
• Support development of controls spare‑parts, obsolescence, backup, and disaster‑recovery strategies.

Education:

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Automation, Controls, Mechatronics, or a related technical field; equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience may be considered.

Experience:

Three plus years of firsthand experience commissioning, programming, modifying, and troubleshooting Allen‑Bradley CompactLogix and ControlLogix processors.

Three plus years of firsthand experience using Rockwell FactoryTalk View Studio to develop and deploy ME and SE applications.

Three plus years of experience commissioning and troubleshooting Allen‑Bradley PanelView systems.

Three plus years of Hands‑on industrial controls experience including digital and analog I/O, instrumentation, control wiring, and interpretation of electrical drawings and schematics.

Three plus years of experience independently leading automation troubleshooting, programming, commissioning, and continuous improvement initiatives with limited supervision.

Training/Certifications:

Rockwell Automation / Allen‑Bradley technical training or certifications preferred.

Electrical safety / NFPA 70E training preferred or ability to complete required company training.

Industrial networking or EtherNet/IP training preferred.

Valid driver's license and ability to travel to company manufacturing locations as required.

Additional plant‑specific safety training to be completed as required.