Control Systems Engineer (PLC Programming)

Piper Companies; Norfolk (VA); On-site; GBP 68,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401K

PTO

Sick Leave

Holidays

Job summary

Zachary Piper is seeking a Control Systems Engineer with hands-on PLC programming experience to design, develop, and deploy complete PLC-based automation systems. The candidate will independently build logic, configure hardware, and support deployment across customer sites.

Requirements include PLC programming across Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Schneider platforms, strong ladder or structured text skills, and experience with electrical schematics and panel layouts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or related field.
• 2+ years of controls, automation, or PLC engineering experience.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to travel to customer sites as needed.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement PLC-based control systems.
• Program and configure PLCs, HMIs, RTUs, and related automation hardware.
• Create and review control system documentation, schematics, and specifications.
• Support system integration, testing, commissioning, and startup activities.
• Develop test plans, execute FAT/SAT activities, and document results.
• Troubleshoot and support existing automation systems.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and project teams to deliver automation solutions.

Skills

PLC programming from scratch

Ladder Logic

Structured Text

Reading schematics

Troubleshooting automation

Field startup

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Automation Engineering or related field

Tools

Allen-Bradley / Rockwell

Siemens

Schneider

SCADA platforms (Ignition, Wonderware/AVEVA, FactoryTalk View, WinCC, iFIX)

AutoCAD or EPLAN

Job description

Control Systems Engineer (PLC Programming)

Location: Norfolk, VA

Type: Full-Time

Overview

Zachary Piper is seeking a Control Systems Engineer with hands-on experience programming PLCs from scratch. This is not a troubleshooting-only role. The ideal candidate has designed, developed, and commissioned complete PLC-based automation systems and can independently build logic, configure hardware, and support system deployment.

Required Experience

• PLC programming from scratch, including logic development, configuration, testing, and commissioning
• Experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, or Schneider PLC platforms
• Strong proficiency with Ladder Logic and/or Structured Text
• Experience designing and troubleshooting industrial control systems
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, control drawings, and panel layouts
• Experience with control system startup, field commissioning, and troubleshooting
• Familiarity with industrial networks and communications
• Experience performing FAT, SAT, and field testing

Preferred Experience

• Rockwell PlantPAx experience
• SCADA development or configuration experience (Ignition, Wonderware/AVEVA, FactoryTalk View, WinCC, iFIX, VTScada, or similar)
• AutoCAD or EPLAN experience
• Water/Wastewater, Manufacturing, Energy, Utilities, or Industrial Automation experience

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement PLC-based control systems
• Program and configure PLCs, HMIs, RTUs, and related automation hardware
• Create and review control system documentation, schematics, and specifications
• Support system integration, testing, commissioning, and startup activities
• Develop test plans, execute FAT/SAT activities, and document results
• Troubleshoot and support existing automation systems
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and project teams to deliver automation solutions

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or related field
• 2+ years of controls, automation, or PLC engineering experience
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Ability to travel to customer sites as needed

Compensation:

Salary: $90,000 - $115,000

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, PTO, Sick Leave, and Holidays. (As required by law)