Controls & Automation Engineer

PPG; Oak Creek (WI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401k

Continuing education

Growth opportunities

Job summary

PPG's Oak Creek, WI facility is seeking a Controls & Automation Engineer to design and maintain control architectures, program PLCs, and troubleshoot automation across manufacturing processes. You will lead commissioning, upgrades, and projects, collaborating with production teams, vendors, and contractors to improve safety, efficiency, and plant performance.

The role reports to the Senior Manager of Mechanical Engineering and requires 5+ years in industrial automation and Rockwell/FactoryTalk

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Controls/Automation Engineering or related field; 5+ years in industrial automation.
• Expertise with Rockwell platforms (Studio 5000, ControlLogix/CompactLogix) and EtherNet/IP.
• Proficiency with HMI, VFDs, sensors, and industrial networks.
• Experience leading automation projects, schedules and budgets.
• Knowledge of NEC and NFPA electrical safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, integrate, and maintain control systems for manufacturing and process automation.
• Develop and troubleshoot PLC, HMI, VFD, sensor, actuator, and industrial networks.
• Lead commissioning, startup, validation, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives to minimize downtime.
• Maintain control system documentation, including schematics, BOMs, and MOC documentation.
• Lead modernization and technology upgrade initiatives for legacy automation systems.
• Manage controls and automation projects from concept through implementation, coordinating resources, contractors, vendors, production teams, and engineering personnel.
• Ensure automation systems meet applicable electrical, safety, and industry standards.
• Provide technical leadership, guidance, and mentorship to engineers and technical team members.

Skills

PLC programming

Troubleshooting

Industrial networking

Electrical principles

Automation engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Controls/Automation Engineering or related field

Tools

Studio 5000

ControlLogix

CompactLogix

EtherNet/IP

FactoryTalk View Studio

ThinManager

Access/SQL

VBA

PowerFlex VFDs

AutoCAD

GE iFIX

FactoryTalk Optix

PlantPAx

Remote I/O

Modbus

Job description

As a Controls & Automation Engineer, you will design control system architectures, programming and troubleshooting PLCs, integrating automation technologies, and supporting the reliable operation of manufacturing equipment and processes. You will improve through automation enhancements, system modernization, and project leadership while collaborating with production teams, vendors, and contractors to improve safety, efficiency, and plant performance. Reporting directly to the Senior Manager of Mechanical Engineering, you will work directly on-site at our Oak Creek facility.

PPG Offers Excellent Benefits, including: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k, additional retirement benefits, continuing education, and growth opportunities!

Responsibilities

• Design, program, integrate, and maintain control systems for manufacturing and process automation applications.
• Develop and troubleshoot PLC, HMI, VFD, sensor, actuator, and industrial network systems to support safe, reliable, and efficient operations.
• Lead commissioning, startup, validation, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives to minimize downtime and improve productivity, reliability, and safety.
• Maintain control system documentation, including electrical schematics, panel layouts, bills of materials, and Management of Change (MOC) documentation.
• Lead modernization and technology upgrade initiatives for legacy automation systems.
• Manage controls and automation projects from concept through implementation, coordinating resources, contractors, vendors, production teams, and engineering personnel.
• Ensure automation systems meet applicable electrical, safety, and industry standards.
• Provide technical leadership, guidance, and mentorship to engineers and technical team members.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a relted field required, with 5+ years of experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, PLC programming, troubleshooting, and manufacturing operations.
• Expertise with Rockwell Automation platforms, including Studio 5000, ControlLogix, CompactLogix, and EtherNet/IP, with strong knowledge of PLC hardware/software, industrial networking, communication protocols, and control system integration.
• Proficiency with GE iFIX, Rockwell Stratix Switches, FactoryTalk View Studio, ThinManager, Access/SQL, VBA, PowerFlex VFDs, and AutoCAD.
• Working knowledge of FactoryTalk Optix, PlantPAx, Remote I/O, DH+, and Modbus.
• Strong understanding of electrical principles, industrial control systems, automation technologies, NEC requirements, and NFPA electrical safety standards.
• Experience designing, implementing, troubleshooting, and supporting manufacturing automation systems, including control system architecture and integration.
• Demonstrated ability to lead automation projects, coordinate resources, manage schedules and budgets, and collaborate effectively across engineering, maintenance, and operations teams.

About Us

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD®

Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com and follow @PPG on X.

The PPG Way 2030

We are customer champions

Proactive. Bold. Trustworthy. Everything we do starts with our customers. We listen, move fast and don’t stop until we solve their biggest challenges. When our customers win, we all grow.

We act with purpose and speed

Agile. Data-driven. Empowered. We take smart risks to stay ahead of the competition. We work proactively with agility, using quality data to develop solutions that create value.

We are excellent operators

Productive. Collaborative. Accountable. No matter our role, we identify problems, take ownership and always bring solutions. We are both proactive and responsive to drive continuous improvement and deliver results. We support our frontline, the faces of PPG to our customers.

We compete to win

Future-focused. Driven. Ambitious. We are passionate about growing our business and winning with our customers. We deliver results, embrace new technologies and leverage agility and speed as strengths.

We are PPG proud

Strong. United. Passionate. We work safely, act with integrity and value our diverse perspectives. We celebrate achievements and take pride in the positive impact we create together to protect and beautify the world.

At PPG we use AI in the hiring process to make the process more efficient. AI tools do not make hiring decisions. You can learn more by going to https://careers.ppg.com/us/en/candidate-resources.

PPG provides equal opportunity to all candidates and employees. We offer an opportunity to grow and develop your career in an environment that provides a fulfilling workplace for employees, creates an environment for continuous learning, and embraces the ideas and diversity of others. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, pregnancy, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability status, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

If you need an adjustment due to a disability, please email [e-mail].

PPG pay ranges and benefits can vary by location which allows us to compensate employees competitively in different geographic markets. PPG considers several factors in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, qualifications and education, licensure and certifications, and other organizational needs. Other incentives may apply.

Our employee benefits programs are designed to support the health and well-being of our employees. Any insurance coverages and benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents. Benefits will be discussed with you by your recruiter during the hiring process.

PPG values your feedback on our recruiting process. We encourage you to visit Glassdoor.com and provide feedback on the process, so that we can do better today than yesterday.