Automation & Controls Engineer — Industrial PLCs & SCADA

APEL Extrusions Limited; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

APEL Extrusions Limited is seeking a highly motivated Controls Systems Engineer to support automation across our aluminum extrusion operations. This plant-based role requires hands-on troubleshooting on the shop floor and collaboration with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, IT, contractors, and OEMs.

The role emphasizes PLC/SCADA programming, HMI development, electrical controls, industrial networking, and data integration to improve reliability and performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field or equivalent industrial experience.
• Minimum 5 years of industrial automation and controls experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience programming Allen-Bradley PLC platforms, including ControlLogix and CompactLogix.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley PowerFlex drives.
• Experience developing and troubleshooting HMI systems.
• Experience with Ignition SCADA.
• Strong SQL database knowledge and development experience.
• Experience integrating manufacturing equipment with ERP and manufacturing systems.
• Knowledge of Ethernet/IP and industrial networking systems.
• Strong electrical and controls troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, troubleshoot, modify, and maintain Allen-Bradley PLCs, VFDs, and HMIs.
• Modify PLC and HMI programs to improve reliability and functionality.
• Implement machine safety logic, interlocks, and control strategies.
• Diagnose and resolve electrical, controls, instrumentation, and networking faults.
• Support installation, startup, commissioning, and validation of new equipment and control systems.
• Develop and maintain standard programming practices and control narratives.
• Maintain backups and revision control of PLC, HMI, SCADA, and drive programs.
• Develop, maintain, and improve Ignition applications and dashboards.
• Create alarms, reports, historian configurations, and security role configurations.

Skills

Industrial networking

Troubleshooting

Project management

Industrial automation

PLC programming

HMI development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related

Licensed Journeyman Electrician with PLC/Automation certification

Tools

Allen-Bradley ControlLogix/CompactLogix

PowerFlex drives

PanelView HMIs

Ignition SCADA

SQL databases

ERP integration

Job description

APEL Extrusions Limited is seeking a highly motivated Controls Systems Engineer to support automation across our aluminum extrusion operations. This plant-based role requires hands-on troubleshooting on the shop floor and collaboration with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, IT, contractors, and OEMs.

The role emphasizes PLC/SCADA programming, HMI development, electrical controls, industrial networking, and data integration to improve reliability and performance.