Automation Controls Engineer: PLC, HMI & On-Floor Support

Brooksource; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Eight Eleven Group seeks a hands-on Automation/Controls Engineer for our Grand Rapids facility. You will assist senior engineers through design, programming, and commissioning of control systems for manufacturing equipment, with focus on PLC ladder logic and HMI/SCADA interfaces.

You will troubleshoot, document, and support industrial networks while contributing to continuous improvement projects and staying hands-on in a dynamic production environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or closely related field.
• 2-5 years of relevant controls/automation experience.
• Solid PLC fundamentals with ladder logic.
• Ability to learn quickly and solve problems practically.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Exposure to PLC platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Opto 22, Phoenix Contact, or Pro-face.
• Familiarity with Opto Flowchart Programming is a plus.
• Basic knowledge of HMI/SCADA like Ignition and FactoryTalk View ME/SE.
• Interest in scripting (Jython/Python).
• Foundational understanding of industrial networking (IP, Ethernet).
• Basic SQL knowledge and reading electrical schematics.

Responsibilities

• Assist in design, programming, and commissioning of control systems for manufacturing equipment.
• Support PLC programming and ladder logic development.
• Assist with HMI/SCADA implementation and maintenance (Ignition, FactoryTalk View).
• Troubleshoot electrical, software, and controls issues to reduce downtime.
• Create and maintain project documentation, schematics, and SOPs.
• Configure and troubleshoot industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, Modbus, Profinet).
• Contribute to process improvement and automation projects.

Skills

Automation concepts

PLC fundamentals

HMI/SCADA

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Industrial networking

Continuous improvement

Communication

Learning mindset

Scripting (Jython/Python)

SQL Basics

Electrical schematics

Allen-Bradley (Studio 5000/RSLogix 500

Opto 22

Phoenix Contact

Pro-face

Ignition (Inductive Automation)

FactoryTalk View ME/SE

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering/Computer Engineering/Mechatronics or related field

Tools

Allen-Bradley Studio 5000/RSLogix 5000

Opto 22

Phoenix Contact

Pro-face

Inductive Automation Ignition

Rockwell FactoryTalk View ME/SE

Job description

Eight Eleven Group seeks a hands-on Automation/Controls Engineer for our Grand Rapids facility. You will assist senior engineers through design, programming, and commissioning of control systems for manufacturing equipment, with focus on PLC ladder logic and HMI/SCADA interfaces.

You will troubleshoot, document, and support industrial networks while contributing to continuous improvement projects and staying hands-on in a dynamic production environment.