Control System Engineer

PS Seasoning; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A food manufacturing company located in Wisconsin seeks an Automation Engineer to design and maintain PLC and HMI systems for equipment. The role includes troubleshooting production line issues, collaborating on new product introduction, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. A Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field and 3–7+ years of relevant experience are required. Strong communication and troubleshooting skills are essential, along with knowledge of PLC programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens) and industrial communication protocols.

Qualifications

• 3–7+ years of experience in controls or automation engineering within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with thermal control systems, motors, and industrial sensors preferred.
• Ability to read and create electrical schematics and panel layouts.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, and maintain PLC, HMI, and control systems for manufacturing equipment.
• Provide hands‑on troubleshooting support for production line control systems.
• Support functional testing and validation of control systems.

Skills

PLC programming experience

Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills

Effective communication across teams

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related field

Tools

Allen-Bradley

Siemens

Job description

Key Responsibilities:

Controls Design & Programming

• Design, program, and maintain PLC, HMI, and control systems for manufacturing equipment and smoker products
• Develop control logic for temperature regulation, airflow, combustion, and safety interlocks
• Create and maintain electrical schematics, I/O lists, and control documentation

Manufacturing & Production Support

• Provide hands‑on troubleshooting support for production line control systems
• Diagnose and resolve electrical, controls, and automation issues impacting throughput and quality
• Support commissioning and startup of new equipment and production lines

Product & Process Development

• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and quality teams during new product introduction (NPI)
• Support integration of sensors, motors, actuators, and communication protocols
• Assist in the development and testing of embedded control systems for smoker products

Testing, Validation & Safety

• Support functional testing, validation, and verification of control systems
• Ensure systems comply with applicable electrical and safety standards
• Implement safe machine control practices, including emergency stops and fault detection
• Identify opportunities to improve system reliability, efficiency, and performance
• Support engineering change orders (ECOs) related to controls and electrical systems
• Maintain accurate documentation, software version control, and backups

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work with maintenance, IT, and operations teams to support automation infrastructure
• Communicate with vendors and integrators for equipment and control system support
• Provide training and guidance to technicians and operators as needed

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related field
• 3–7+ years of experience in controls or automation engineering within a manufacturing environment
• Experience with thermal control systems, motors, and industrial sensors preferred

Technical Skills

• PLC programming experience (Allen‑Bradley, Siemens, or similar platforms)
• HMI development and troubleshooting
• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols (EtherNet/IP, Modbus, etc.)
• Ability to read and create electrical schematics and panel layouts
• Familiarity with safety standards and machine controls

Soft Skills

• Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills
• Effective communication across engineering, operations, and maintenance teams
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities