Control Engineer

SEC Group; Goldsboro (NC); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

SEC Group is seeking a hands-on Controls Engineer to support our manufacturing facilities in North Carolina. You will design, program, troubleshoot, and improve PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems while leading automation projects to boost reliability and performance.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years in a high-speed manufacturing environment, hands-on PLC programming experience with Rockwell or Siemens platforms, and a track record of applying Lean Six Sigma to cut downtime and defects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Electrical/Controls/Automation engineering.
• 3+ years in a manufacturing Controls Engineering role.
• Experience with PLC programming and troubleshooting.
• Experience with HMI/SCADA platforms.
• Knowledge of electrical design and control documentation.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, troubleshoot, and maintain PLC, HMI, and SCADA control systems.
• Develop automation solutions to improve production efficiency and quality.
• Integrate new automation equipment into existing lines.
• Lead automation projects from planning through commissioning and startup.
• Create electrical drawings and controls documentation.
• Diagnose and resolve electrical, controls, and mechanical issues.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Coordinate with Maintenance, Engineering, Production, and Quality teams.
• Conduct system audits to ensure safe and efficient operation.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, vendors, and resources.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, NFPA, NEC, GMP, HACCP, FDA/USDA standards.
• Train personnel on controls systems and troubleshooting procedures.
• Apply Lean Six Sigma principles to drive improvements.
• Evaluate new automation technologies to improve performance.

Skills

PLC programming

Troubleshooting

HMI/SCADA systems

Industrial electrical controls

Automation projects

Cross-functional collaboration

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Allen-Bradley (Rockwell) PLC

Siemens PLC

Job description

We are seeking a hands-on Controls Engineer to support multiple manufacturing facilities by designing, programming, troubleshooting, and improving industrial automation systems. This individual will serve as the technical expert for PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, robotics, and electrical controls while leading automation projects, improving equipment reliability, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.

The ideal candidate will come from a high-speed manufacturing environment and have strong experience with PLC programming, industrial automation, capital projects, and troubleshooting complex production equipment.

Responsibilities:

• Design, program, troubleshoot, and maintain PLC, HMI, and SCADA control systems
• Develop and implement automation solutions that improve production efficiency, equipment reliability, and product quality
• Integrate new automation equipment into existing manufacturing lines
• Lead controls and automation projects from planning through installation, commissioning, and startup
• Create and maintain electrical schematics, controls documentation, and standard operating procedures
• Diagnose and resolve complex electrical, controls, mechanical, and automation issues
• Perform root cause analysis and implement permanent corrective actions
• Partner with Maintenance, Engineering, Production, Quality, and Operations teams to minimize downtime and improve performance
• Conduct system audits to ensure controls are operating efficiently and safely
• Manage project timelines, budgets, vendors, contractors, and project resources
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, NFPA, NEC, GMP, HACCP, FDA, USDA, and company safety standards
• Train maintenance and production personnel on controls systems and troubleshooting procedures
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies
• Evaluate and implement new automation technologies to improve manufacturing performance

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, or equivalent experience
• 3+ years of Controls Engineering experience within a manufacturing environment
• Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting experience
• Experience with Allen-Bradley (Rockwell) and/or Siemens PLC platforms
• Experience with HMI and SCADA systems
• Strong knowledge of industrial electrical controls and automation systems
• Experience supporting automated manufacturing equipment
• Ability to troubleshoot electrical, controls, software, and mechanical issues
• Experience leading automation or capital equipment projects
• Experience creating and maintaining electrical drawings and controls documentation
• Excellent troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Food manufacturing experience
• Experience in a regulated manufacturing environment
• Experience with FDA, USDA, GMP, and HACCP regulations
• Lean Manufacturing experience
• Six Sigma experience or certification
• Robotics and industrial automation experience
• Experience with IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things)
• Familiarity with machine learning applications in manufacturing
• Experience supporting multiple manufacturing facilities
• Project management experience including budgeting, scheduling, and resource allocation