Automation Controls Engineer — Steel Plant Process Improvement

Gerdau; Petersburg (VA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

401(k) match

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid parental leave

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Gerdau is seeking an Automation Engineer to lead control system design, programming, and troubleshooting for a highly automated rolling mill environment. You will collaborate across operations, maintenance, and engineering to drive projects that boost reliability, throughput, and safety.

This role emphasizes hands-on problem solving, working with Rockwell and Siemens PLCs, ABB drives, and industrial Ethernet networks to modernize processes and reduce downtime.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent automation experience in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Engineering Technology.
• 3+ years of manufacturing automation or controls experience.
• Experience programming and troubleshooting PLC systems.
• Strong understanding of industrial electrical systems, motors, drives, and control circuits.
• Ability to troubleshoot automation, communication, and HMI-related issues.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, modify, and troubleshoot PLC-based control systems.
• Support and improve HMI applications used by production and maintenance teams.
• Lead automation projects that improve reliability, safety, and productivity.
• Troubleshoot electrical, controls, networking, and communication issues.
• Develop and implement process improvements that reduce downtime and increase throughput.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI development

Industrial electrical systems

Troubleshooting

Automation project leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering / Mechatronics / Engineering Technology

Tools

Rockwell Automation

Siemens PLC

ABB Drives

Industrial Ethernet

Job description

Gerdau is seeking an Automation Engineer to lead control system design, programming, and troubleshooting for a highly automated rolling mill environment. You will collaborate across operations, maintenance, and engineering to drive projects that boost reliability, throughput, and safety.

This role emphasizes hands-on problem solving, working with Rockwell and Siemens PLCs, ABB drives, and industrial Ethernet networks to modernize processes and reduce downtime.