Automation Controls Engineer

International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO); Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, STD, LT

401(k) match

Benefits begin first day of the month

Job summary

International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) in Little Rock, AR, seeks an Automation Controls Engineer to lead hands-on automation projects across the plant from concept through commissioning.

Responsibilities include managing vendors, overseeing control system design, programming, testing, startup support, and continuous improvement. The role is ~60% project management and 40% day-to-day maintenance with strong PLC/SCADA/HMI expertise and collaboration with operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Industrial/Manufacturing/Controls or CS.
• 5+ years of experience with automated control systems in high-volume manufacturing.
• Strong PLC/HMI/SCADA expertise.
• Experience with Siemens S5/S7, Allen-Bradley tools, and Wonderware.
• Proven project management, design, costing, commissioning, and maintenance planning.

Responsibilities

• Install and support new equipment across the plant.
• Lead automation projects from concept to completion, on time and within budget.
• Coordinate external automation vendors and contractors.
• Oversee control system design, programming, testing, and startup support.
• Implement changes per change control processes.
• Troubleshoot and provide technical support to operations and engineering.
• Develop machine control systems including servo motion and high-speed devices.
• Maintain day-to-day automation performance and integrate new projects.
• Support data collection, networking, and system security.

Skills

PLCs

HMIs

SCADA

C/C++

SQL

Servo systems

VFDs

Education

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Industrial/Manufacturing/Controls Engineering, or Computer Science

Tools

Siemens S5/S7

Allen-Bradley: ControlLogix/RSView/FactoryTalk SE/ME/Rockwell Historians/VantagePoint

Wonderware

RSView

Job description

Automation Controls Engineer

Lead and drive automation initiatives across all manufacturing lines, ensuring Automation and Controls engineering activities align with overall business objectives. This role is responsible for managing automation systems and supporting control system design, specification, and commissioning. You will play a key role in developing and enhancing both new and existing manufacturing equipment, as well as modernizing legacy systems where controls have become obsolete. This role will be approximately 60% Project Management & 40% Day-To-Day, Maintenance, Sustaining, etc.

Location: Little Rock, Arkansas

Compensation: $135,000 - $165,000 base salary (depending on experience) + Bonus = 7%-10%.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, STD, LTD, Paid Vacation.
• 401(k) match.
• Benefits begin first day of the month following hire.

Job Description

• Serve as a hands-on engineer, actively installing and supporting new equipment throughout the plant.
• Lead automation projects from concept through completion, ensuring delivery on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Manage and coordinate external automation vendors and contractors.
• Oversee control system design, specification, programming, testing, and startup support.
• Implement code changes in accordance with established change control processes.
• Investigate issues and provide technical expertise to production, maintenance, and engineering teams.
• Support operations by addressing technical inquiries and troubleshooting challenges.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to successfully deliver projects.
• Develop machine control systems, including servo motion and high-speed device integration.
• Maintain responsibility for day-to-day automation system performance, reliability, and new project integration.
• Support automation data collection and reporting systems, network infrastructure, and system security.
• Stay current with emerging technologies to proactively address system obsolescence.
• Identify and implement production efficiency improvements through system and equipment design.
• Act as a resource to remove operational barriers and support continuous improvement and variation reduction initiatives.
• Complete required training as assigned by the supervisor.
• Adhere to all safety policies and company procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications Seeking

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in Electrical Engineering, Industrial/Manufacturing/Controls Engineering, or Computer Science.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience with automated control systems in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Strong expertise in PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA systems.
• Experience with:
• Siemens: S5 & S7
• Allen-Bradley: ControlLogix, RSView, FactoryTalk SE/ME, Rockwell Historians, Rockwell VantagePoint
• Wonderware
• SQL
• C/C++
• Servo systems, VFDs, and related technologies
• Proven experience in project management, process engineering, system specification, costing, commissioning, maintenance planning, scheduling, cost tracking, contractor supervision, and spare parts management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.