Controls Engineer - Custom Systems

Cincinnati Test Systems; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Variety & challenge in projects

Strong engineering culture of collaboration

Opportunities for continuous improvement

Job summary

Cincinnati Test Systems in Cincinnati is seeking an experienced Controls / Automation Engineer to lead the design, development, and commissioning of custom automation systems. In this role, you will take ownership of complex projects, working alongside a skilled team. Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and 5+ years of experience in designing and programming automation machinery. Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential, alongside experience with PLCs and HMI systems. This position provides the opportunity for technical ownership and involvement in innovative projects.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience designing and programming custom automated machinery in manufacturing environments.
• Strong understanding of machine safety standards and safe automation design practices.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including customer-facing interactions.

Responsibilities

• Own controls engineering execution across the full project lifecycle.
• Architect and design electrical, pneumatic, and safety systems.
• Develop PLC and HMI applications with an emphasis on reliability.
• Lead system debug, diagnosing mechanical, electrical, and software issues.

Skills

Custom automated machinery design

PLC programming

HMI development

Electrical system architecture

Mechanical debugging

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Siemens PLCs

Job description

Cincinnati Test Systems (CTS) is seeking an experienced Controls / Automation Engineer to lead the design, development, and commissioning of multi‑million‑dollar custom automation systems, with a primary focus on advanced leak test machinery.

CTS is a recognized industry leader in the design and manufacture of custom automated test and measurement equipment for demanding production environments. This role offers the opportunity to take full technical ownership of complex automation projects—from concept through customer acceptance—while collaborating with a highly skilled, cross‑functional engineering team.

This position is ideal for an engineer who enjoys hands‑on system design, solving challenging automation problems, and building robust, production‑ready control systems that are deployed globally.

What You’ll Do

• Own controls engineering execution across the full project lifecycle: concept, design, programming, debug, commissioning, and customer support
• Architect and design electrical, pneumatic, and safety systems for custom automated machinery
• Develop PLC and HMI applications from the ground up, emphasizing reliability, maintainability, and performance
• Serve as the technical interface with customers, translating functional requirements into scalable automation solutions
• Lead hands‑on system debug, diagnosing mechanical, electrical, and software issues during build and site acceptance
• Analyze test and production data to validate system performance and recommend design improvements
• Contribute to engineering standards, best practices, and technology roadmap for CTS automation platforms
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen CTS’s position as a premier automation OEM

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years of experience designing and programming custom automated machinery in manufacturing or production environments
• Proven experience with PLC and HMI development, including Allen‑Bradley platforms (Siemens experience a plus)
• Strong understanding of machine safety standards and safe automation design practices
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across mechanical and electrical teams
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including customer‑facing interactions

Preferred Experience

• Exposure to medical device and/or automotive production environments
• Experience implementing motion control systems (VFDs, servos) and vision systems (e.g., Keyence)
• Familiarity with SCADA and production data systems (Ignition, Wonderware, or similar)

Why Engineers Choose CTS

• High‑impact projects: Custom systems, not maintenance or repetitive builds
• Technical ownership: Engineers drive design decisions and implementation
• Variety & challenge: Each system is unique, with evolving technologies
• Strong engineering culture: Collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement