Controls & Automation Engineer

Automationtechies; Sumter (SC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Automationtechies is seeking a Controls & Automation Engineer in Sumter, South Carolina, to support plant automation initiatives. The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in Automation Engineering or Electrical Engineering, along with over 5 years of experience in the field. Candidates should have strong knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, and industrial networks, as well as excellent communication and leadership skills. This position offers an opportunity to improve system performance and reliability across a highly automated production environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in industrial automation and controls engineering.
• Strong knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, and industrial networks.
• Proven troubleshooting and optimization experience in automated systems.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Support installation, configuration, maintenance, and optimization of automation systems.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and industry standards.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to integrate automation solutions.
• Drive continuous improvement for system reliability and efficiency.

Skills

Industrial automation

Controls engineering

PLC programming

Troubleshooting

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Automation Engineering or Electrical Engineering

Tools

PLC

HMI

SCADA

Job description

We are looking for a Controls & Automation Engineer who will play a key role in supporting plant automation initiatives and driving system integration across a highly automated production environment.

This position is responsible for implementing and supporting automation technologies, maintaining system interfaces, and ensuring automation systems are designed, tested, and executed to meet operational goals. This individual will partner closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, and IT teams to improve system performance, reliability, and efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the installation, configuration, maintenance, and optimization of automation systems.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, quality, and industry standards.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to integrate automation solutions into plant operations.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts to improve system reliability, efficiency, and performance.
• Translate functional requirements into technical system configurations.
• Serve as a technical point of contact for internal stakeholders and project teams.
• Design electrical control panels and support hardware selection.
• Develop and execute factory and field test plans for control systems and panels.
• Coordinate resources to meet project goals related to quality, schedule, and budget.
• Support system integration, startup, commissioning, and operational testing activities.
• Support plant automation infrastructure, including controls hardware, software, and industrial networks.
• Reduce downtime by troubleshooting and improving control systems and automation performance.
• Lead the design and development of PLC, HMI, SCADA, and related control system applications.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior team members.
• Perform additional duties as needed to support plant and project objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in industrial automation and controls engineering
• Strong knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, industrial networks, and control system architecture.
• Proven troubleshooting and optimization experience in automated systems.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to work across cross-functional teams.
• Able to balance technical execution with project coordination responsibilities.