Automation Controls Engineer

Accelera Staffing; Petersburg (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Accelera Staffing is seeking an Automation Controls Engineer to serve as a technical lead for complex manufacturing systems in Petersburg, VA. You will drive reliability and performance through advanced PLC programming and system integration, bridging operations and engineering to keep the production environment efficient and safe.

Responsibilities include designing and optimizing PLC and HMI software, leading root-cause analyses, managing full lifecycle electrical projects, and collaborating

Qualifications

• Requirement: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
• 5+ years hands-on experience in industrial automation and PLC programming.
• Proficiency with ladder logic on Rockwell/Allen-Bradley and Siemens TIA Portal.
• Strong knowledge of AC/DC control, VFDs, and Profinet networking.
• Experience troubleshooting HMI/SCADA and data acquisition systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and optimize PLC and HMI software to enhance production throughput and system stability.
• Lead root-cause analysis and failure investigations to resolve complex automation and communication bottlenecks.
• Manage the full lifecycle of electrical projects, from initial design and hardware specification to final installation and commissioning.
• Develop and refine alarm management and reporting systems to provide actionable insights for maintenance and operations teams.
• Collaborate with cross-functional departments to translate operator feedback into innovative automation solutions.
• Support outage planning and execution by providing technical expertise for equipment upgrades and system retrofits.

Skills

PLC programming

Ladder logic (Rockwell/Allen-Bradley)

Siemens TIA Portal

HMI/SCADA troubleshooting

Profinet networking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field

Tools

Ignition

GE Cimplicity

Job description

As an Automation Controls Engineer, you will serve as a technical lead for complex manufacturing systems, driving reliability and performance through advanced PLC programming and system integration. You will bridge the gap between operational needs and technical execution, ensuring our production environment remains at the cutting edge of efficiency and safety.

About the Role

As an Automation Controls Engineer, you will serve as a technical lead for complex manufacturing systems, driving reliability and performance through advanced PLC programming and system integration. You will bridge the gap between operational needs and technical execution, ensuring our production environment remains at the cutting edge of efficiency and safety.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and optimize PLC and HMI software to enhance production throughput and system stability.
• Lead root-cause analysis and failure investigations to resolve complex automation and communication bottlenecks.
• Manage the full lifecycle of electrical projects, from initial design and hardware specification to final installation and commissioning.
• Develop and refine alarm management and reporting systems to provide actionable insights for maintenance and operations teams.
• Collaborate with cross-functional departments to translate operator feedback into innovative automation solutions.
• Support outage planning and execution by providing technical expertise for equipment upgrades and system retrofits.

Qualifications

Required Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in industrial automation and PLC programming.
• Proficiency in ladder logic development using platforms such as Rockwell/Allen-Bradley and Siemens TIA Portal.
• Strong understanding of AC/DC control systems, variable frequency drives, and industrial networking protocols like Profinet.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex HMI, SCADA, and data acquisition issues.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with Ignition or GE Cimplicity HMI software.
• Background in configuring Cisco networking hardware for industrial environments.
• Familiarity with IBA or similar analytical tools for asset performance monitoring.
• Proven ability to manage electrical infrastructure projects in a heavy manufacturing setting.