Controls & Automation Engineer

TALENT Software Services; Hopkinsville (KY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

TALENT Software Services seeks an experienced Controls Engineer to design, develop, and maintain automation solutions. You will program Rockwell control platforms and manage Kepware middleware to enable seamless data flow across shop-floor devices, SCADA, MES, and enterprise systems.

Responsibilities include on-site commissioning, testing, and ensuring cyber and safety compliance while collaborating with IT/OT teams to optimize network architectures.

Qualifications

• Experience with PLC/SCADA programming and commissioning using Rockwell tools.
• Proficiency in configuring Kepware middleware for real-time data integration.
• Knowledge of industrial networking protocols (EtherNet/IP, CIP, Modbus, Profinet).

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and deploy PLC logic on ControlLogix/CompactLogix platforms.
• Configure operator interfaces and integrate motion control components.
• Perform on-site commissioning, testing, and loop tuning; troubleshoot issues.

Skills

Rockwell Automation

Allen-Bradley

Studio 5000

RSLogix 5000

FactoryTalk View ME/SE

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Automation Engineering

Tools

KEPServer/EX

OPC UA/DA

MQTT

IoT Gateway

Job description

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Controls Engineer to design, develop, implement, and maintain industrial automation and OT connectivity solutions. In this role, you will be primarily responsible for programming and commissioning Rockwell Automation (Allen-Bradley) control platforms, as well as configuring and managing PTC Kepware (KEPServer/EX) middleware to ensure seamless data communication between shop-floor control devices, SCADA, MES, and enterprise systems.

Key Responsibilities

PLC / HMI / SCADA Programming & Commissioning

• Design, develop, test, and deploy PLC logic using Studio 5000 / RSLogix 5000 / 500 for ControlLogix, CompactLogix, and GuardLogix platforms.
• Design and configure operator interfaces using FactoryTalk View ME/SE and integrate motion control systems (e.g., PowerFlex VFDs, Kinetix servo drives).
• Perform on-site system commissioning, start-up, loop tuning, and functional testing.

Industrial Connectivity & Middleware (Kepware)

• Configure and maintain PTC KEPServer/EX for real-time OT data acquisition, device bridging, and protocol conversion across disparate manufacturing assets.
• Implement and troubleshoot OPC DA, OPC UA, MQTT, REST, and IoT Gateway plugins within Kepware to pass telemetry to SCADA, MES, Historian, or Cloud platforms.
• Manage device drivers, tag addressing, channel optimization, and security certificates within KEPServer/EX.

Industrial Networking & OT Architecture

• Configure and troubleshoot industrial communication protocols (EtherNet/IP, CIP, Modbus TCP/RTU, Profinet).
• Collaborate with IT/OT teams to implement managed industrial switches (e.g., Cisco, Stratix), VLAN segmentation, NAT routers, and network diagnostics.

Troubleshooting, Maintenance & Compliance

• Perform root-cause analysis on hardware, logic, and communication failures to minimize operational downtime.
• Maintain comprehensive engineering documentation: electrical schematics, P&IDs, I/O lists, network architecture diagrams, and Functional Design Specifications (FDS).
• Ensure all systems adhere to machine safety standards (ISO 13849, IEC 62061 / 61508) and cybersecurity best practices (ISA/IEC 62443).