Controls Engineer

MacLean Power Systems; Alabaster (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

MacLean Power Systems in Alabama is seeking an Electrical/Automation Engineer to design, develop, and maintain instrumentation, PLC, and HMI-based control systems for manufacturing operations. You will troubleshoot, upgrade equipment, and document procedures to support reliability, efficiency, and safety across the plant.

The role requires strong collaboration with Maintenance, Engineering, Production, Quality, and EHS to drive continuous improvement and ensure robust control system performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or related discipline.
• 5–10 years of controls, automation, or manufacturing engineering experience.
• Experience programming, troubleshooting, and modifying PLC and HMI systems.
• Experience with industrial automation, instrumentation, electrical controls, sensors, motors, drives, and related manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, technical drawings, equipment manuals, and control system documentation.
• Performs work under general supervision with the ability to independently handle moderately complex technical issues.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and support automation of manufacturing processes through instrumentation, electrical controls, and automation systems.
• Develop new and modify existing PLC and HMI programs, applications, interfaces, and embedded control systems.
• Program, troubleshoot, and maintain PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment and automated systems.
• Diagnose electrical, controls, instrumentation, and automation-related equipment issues and implement appropriate solutions.
• Participate in the installation, start-up, testing, and commissioning of new equipment and manufacturing systems.
• Support upgrades and modifications to existing equipment, control systems, and manufacturing processes.
• Troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and recommend improvements to increase equipment reliability, efficiency, productivity, safety, and quality.
• Partner with Maintenance, Engineering, Production, Quality, and EHS to resolve equipment and process issues.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to equipment performance, downtime reduction, process control, and automation.
• Develop and maintain control system documentation, electrical drawings, specifications, programs, operating procedures, and technical documentation.
• Maintain appropriate backups and documentation of PLC, HMI, and control system programs.
• Provide technical support and guidance to maintenance technicians and production personnel as needed.
• Complete all required documentation fully, accurately and timely.
• Adhere to 5S standards and maintain an organized work environment
• Follow all Safety, Environment, and Quality policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

Industrial automation

Electrical troubleshooting

Instrumentation troubleshooting

Root cause analysis

Project management

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Mechatronics degree

Job description

Job Summary

Applies engineering principles and standard engineering techniques to design, develop, implement, troubleshoot, and maintain instrumentation, automation, and control systems used in manufacturing operations. Supports equipment reliability, process efficiency, safety, quality, and continuous improvement through effective application of PLC, HMI, and industrial control technologies.

Job Duties

• Design, develop, and support automation of manufacturing processes through the use of instrumentation, electrical controls, and automation systems.
• Develop new and modify existing PLC and HMI programs, applications, interfaces, and embedded control systems.
• Program, troubleshoot, and maintain PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment and automated systems.
• Diagnose electrical, controls, instrumentation, and automation-related equipment issues and implement appropriate solutions.
• Participate in the installation, start-up, testing, and commissioning of new equipment and manufacturing systems.
• Support upgrades and modifications to existing equipment, control systems, and manufacturing processes.
• Troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and recommend improvements to increase equipment reliability, efficiency, productivity, safety, and quality.
• Partner with Maintenance, Engineering, Production, Quality, and EHS to resolve equipment and process issues.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to equipment performance, downtime reduction, process control, and automation.
• Develop and maintain control system documentation, electrical drawings, specifications, programs, operating procedures, and technical documentation.
• Maintain appropriate backups and documentation of PLC, HMI, and control system programs.
• Provide technical support and guidance to maintenance technicians and production personnel as needed.
• Complete all required documentation fully, accurately and timely.
• Adhere to 5S standards and maintain an organized work environment
• Follow all Safety, Environment, and Quality policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience and Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related engineering discipline.
• Typically requires 5–10 years of controls, automation, or manufacturing engineering experience.
• Experience programming, troubleshooting, and modifying PLC and HMI systems.
• Experience with industrial automation, instrumentation, electrical controls, sensors, motors, drives, and related manufacturing equipment.
• Experience supporting equipment installation, start-up, troubleshooting, and commissioning.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, technical drawings, equipment manuals, and control system documentation.
• Performs work under general supervision with the ability to independently handle moderately complex technical issues.
• Escalates highly complex technical problems to appropriate resources when necessary.
• Possesses solid working knowledge of controls engineering principles and manufacturing automation.
• May provide technical guidance, coaching, or mentoring to technicians and other team members.

Competencies/ Skills

• PLC and HMI programming and troubleshooting
• Industrial automation and control systems
• Electrical and instrumentation troubleshooting
• Strong technical and mechanical aptitude
• Critical thinking and analytical skills
• Root cause analysis and problem-solving skills
• Strong mathematical and technical skills
• Computer and engineering software proficiency
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and technical documentation
• Project management and organizational skills
• Intermediate to advanced written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams
• Strong attention to detail and documentation
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a manufacturing environment