Controls Engineer

W Talent Solutions; Centreville (AL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

W Talent Solutions client, a wood products manufacturing company, is seeking a hands-on Controls Engineer to support operations in Centreville, Alabama. This onsite role focuses on industrial automation, troubleshooting, and modernization of manufacturing controls.

You will work directly with production and maintenance teams on PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, and sensor networks, supporting Siemens and Allen-Bradley/Rockwell platforms and driving reliability improvements on the plant floor.

Qualifications

• PLC programming and troubleshooting experience in an industrial setting.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell and Siemens controls.
• HMI programming and troubleshooting experience.
• Industrial electrical controls knowledge and safety practices.
• Experience with VFDs and motor controls.
• Familiarity with sensors and instrumentation in manufacturing.
• Knowledge of equipment commissioning and startup processes.
• Experience with controls upgrades and retrofits.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot, maintain, and improve PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment.
• Program, modify, and troubleshoot PLC systems.
• Develop, modify, and troubleshoot HMI applications.
• Support Siemens and Allen-Bradley/Rockwell control platforms.
• Diagnose production downtime and automation-related equipment issues.
• Read and update electrical schematics and controls documentation.
• Lead controls-related projects from troubleshooting through implementation.

Skills

PLC programming

Troubleshooting

HMI programming

Industrial electrical controls

VFDs and motor controls

Sensors and instrumentation

Equipment commissioning/startup

Controls upgrades/retrofits

Tools

Siemens PLCs (TIA/STEP 7)

Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Studio 5000

Job description

Our client, a leading wood products manufacturing company, is seeking a hands-on Controls Engineer to support its manufacturing operations in Centreville, Alabama.

This role will serve as a key onsite resource for industrial automation and controls, working directly with production and maintenance teams to troubleshoot equipment, improve reliability, support new installations, and modernize existing manufacturing systems.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys being close to the equipment and solving real plant-floor problems rather than spending most of the day behind a desk.

The facility includes a mix of established equipment and newer automation, creating an environment where you will work on everything from day-to-day troubleshooting to controls upgrades, equipment commissioning, and longer-term automation improvements.

What You’ll Do

• Troubleshoot, maintain, and improve PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment
• Program, modify, and troubleshoot PLC systems
• Develop, modify, and troubleshoot HMI applications
• Support both Siemens and Allen-Bradley/Rockwell control platforms
• Diagnose production downtime and automation-related equipment issues
• Work with VFDs, motors, sensors, instrumentation, I/O, relays, and other industrial control components
• Support industrial networks and communication between control systems and equipment
• Read, interpret, and update electrical schematics and controls documentation
• Partner closely with maintenance technicians, operators, engineering, and production leadership
• Support equipment installation, startup, commissioning, and troubleshooting
• Assist with controls retrofits, modernization projects, and legacy equipment upgrades
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, efficiency, quality, and safety
• Support automation and manufacturing data integration initiatives
• Coordinate with vendors and outside integrators when needed
• Develop technical documentation and maintain accurate controls records
• Lead controls-related projects from troubleshooting through implementation

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone with practical industrial automation experience who is comfortable working directly with manufacturing equipment.

Ideal experience includes:

• PLC programming and troubleshooting
• Allen-Bradley/Rockwell and/or Siemens controls
• HMI programming and troubleshooting
• Industrial electrical controls
• VFDs and motor controls
• Sensors and instrumentation
• Equipment commissioning and startup
• Manufacturing equipment troubleshooting
• Controls upgrades and retrofits

Experience with both Siemens and Allen-Bradley/Rockwell is highly desirable, but candidates with strong experience on one platform and the ability to learn the other are encouraged to apply.

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

The strongest candidates are people who enjoy troubleshooting, understand how manufacturing equipment actually operates, and are comfortable partnering directly with maintenance and production teams.

You do not need to have every technology listed above. We are especially interested in candidates who are technically curious, hands-on, comfortable taking ownership of controls issues, and interested in continuing to grow their automation expertise.