Controls/Electrical Engineer

Briggs & Stratton; Tucker (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Briggs & Stratton seeks a Controls & Automation Engineer to lead PLC programming, HMI development, and electrical system design for manufacturing and test equipment. You will work with Manufacturing, Quality, Maintenance, Product Engineering, and Operations to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost while supporting automation strategies.

Responsibilities include leading automation projects, developing specifications for equipment, and supporting startup and validation of new systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Automation Engineering or related field.
• Minimum seven (5) years of professional engineering experience in manufacturing, controls or electrical systems.
• Experience designing and troubleshooting industrial control systems and supporting high-volume manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, troubleshoot, and optimize PLC-based control systems for manufacturing and test equipment.
• Develop and support HMI, SCADA, and industrial automation systems.
• Lead automation projects to improve productivity, quality, safety, and reliability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement DFMEA, DFM and DFT concepts.
• Lead root cause investigations and drive corrective actions.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI development

Industrial automation

Electrical system design

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical/Automation Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC

Siemens PLC

AutoCAD Electrical

Job description

This role leads complex engineering projects involving PLC programming, HMI development, industrial automation, electrical system design, test equipment integration, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role works closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Maintenance, Product Engineering, and Operations teams to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance while supporting future growth and automation strategies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Controls & Automation Engineering

• Design, program, troubleshoot, and optimize PLC-based control systems for manufacturing and test equipment.
• Develop and support HMI, SCADA, and industrial automation systems.
• Design electrical control panels, schematics, wiring diagrams, and power distribution systems.
• Lead automation projects focused on improving productivity, quality, safety, and equipment reliability.
• Evaluate and implement new automation technologies and manufacturing control systems.

Manufacturing Equipment & Test Systems

• Develop specifications for manufacturing equipment, automated assembly systems, fixtures, and electrical test stations.
• Support installation, commissioning, validation, and startup of new equipment.
• Troubleshoot complex electrical, controls, and automation-related production issues.
• Develop and maintain engineering test standards and validation procedures.
• Improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) through controls and automation enhancements.

Product & Process Support

• Support new product development activities through Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Testability (DFT) reviews.
• Partner with Product Engineering to ensure manufacturing requirements are incorporated into product designs.
• Support prototype builds, pilot production runs, and production launch activities.
• Recommend manufacturing methods, process changes, and equipment improvements based on engineering analysis and cost studies.
• Lead root cause investigations involving electrical systems, controls, test equipment, and automation failures.
• Utilize structured problem-solving methodologies including 8D, DMAIC, Fishbone Analysis, and 5 Why.
• Develop and implement corrective actions to eliminate recurring issues and improve system performance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Serve as the primary controls and automation subject matter expert for the facility.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Product Engineering, and Supply Chain teams to support business objectives.
• Provide technical leadership, coaching, and mentoring to engineers, technicians, and maintenance personnel.
• Present project status, technical findings, and recommendations to leadership teams.

Project Management

• Lead capital equipment and automation projects from concept through implementation.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, and resource requirements.
• Monitor project performance and recommend changes in design, procedures, or objectives as necessary.
• Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with company standards.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support compliance with applicable electrical, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Participate in risk assessments and equipment safety reviews.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering.

Experience

• Minimum seven (5) years of professional engineering experience in manufacturing, controls, automation, or electrical systems engineering.
• Experience designing and troubleshooting industrial control systems.
• Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with battery manufacturing, electrification products, or automated assembly operations.
• Experience programming Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar PLC platforms.
• Experience with HMI and SCADA systems.
• Experience with industrial robotics and machine vision systems.
• Experience with automated test equipment and data acquisition systems.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of PLC programming, industrial controls, and automation systems.
• test systems, vision, PLC, laser, cycle time reductions, constraint elimination, MTBF increases, MTTR reductions
• Advanced understanding of electrical power distribution, motor controls, sensors, and industrial networks.
• Strong troubleshooting skills involving electrical, automation, and manufacturing systems.
• Knowledge of NFPA, NEC, OSHA, and applicable electrical safety standards.
• Ability to read and create electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and control drawings.
• Strong project management and leadership skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence business decisions.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical, PLC software platforms, Microsoft Office, and engineering analysis tools.

Briggs & Stratton, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, provides innovative products and diverse power solutions to help people get work done. Briggs & Stratton is the world's largest producer of engines for outdoor power equipment, and is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of lithium-ion battery, standby generator, energy storage system, lawn and turf care products through its Briggs & Stratton, Vanguard, Ferris, Billy Goat, and Branco brands. Briggs & Stratton products are designed, manufactured, marketed and serviced in more than 100 countries on six continents.

Briggs & Stratton is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity. The Company conducts all employment practices without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran's status, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation or any other basis prohibited by law. Briggs & Stratton also undertakes affirmative action to assure equal employment opportunity for minorities and women, for persons with disabilities, and for protected veterans.