Controls Engineer

Ellaway Blues Consulting; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company-paid medical coverage

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Ellaway Blues Consulting is seeking an experienced Controls Engineer II for an established industrial manufacturer in the Charlotte area. You will lead controls work from planning through testing, commissioning, and final delivery, ensuring safe operation and adherence to project requirements.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in designing, commissioning, and troubleshooting industrial control systems, with proficiency in PLC/HMI programming and industrial communications.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience designing, commissioning, and troubleshooting industrial control systems.
• Proficiency with PLC and HMI programming.
• Working knowledge of control panels, electrical schematics, motor controls, VFDs, instrumentation, and 24 VDC circuits.
• Familiarity with industrial communications (PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP).
• Strong field troubleshooting skills and ability to work safely around energized equipment.
• Ability to manage controls deliverables across multiple projects and communicate progress, risks, and technical decisions.
• Strong written and verbal communication, problem-solving and collaboration skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead controls deliverables across multiple projects from planning through commissioning and closeout.
• Define controls scope, schedules, budgets, and technical risks with Project Engineers.
• Review contracts, proposals, and specifications to establish requirements and exclusions.
• Develop control narratives and operating sequences translating process requirements into system behavior.
• Prepare I/O lists, network architecture, panel layouts, electrical schematics, cable schedules, and BOMs.
• Specify PLCs, HMIs, remote I/O, VFDs, motor starters, instrumentation, safety devices, and network hardware.
• Program, configure, test, and document controllers, operator interfaces, drives, and communications.
• Integrate controls with conveyors, motors, gates, safety circuits, customer systems, and third-party equipment.
• Coordinate interfaces with internal teams, panel builders, contractors, suppliers, and customers.
• Review vendor submittals and support scope changes.
• Check designs and programs for accuracy, code compliance, maintainability, and FAT tests.
• Travel to customer and fabrication sites for checkout, I/O verification, startup, commissioning, tuning, training, and troubleshooting.
• Complete as-built drawings and O&M documentation following safety procedures.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

Electrical schematics

Motor controls

VFDs

Instrumentation

Industrial networks

Field troubleshooting

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering/Controls/Automation/Mechatronics

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

EPLAN

SolidWorks Electrical

Job description

Compensation:

$95,000–$105,000 base salary, based on experience, plus quarterly and annual bonuses and a 5% 401(k) match

Benefits:

Comprehensive benefits package, including 100% company-paid medical coverage for the employee and family

We are seeking an experienced Controls Engineer II for an established industrial manufacturer focused on engineered mechanical equipment. The company offers a hands‑on, collaborative environment where engineering and manufacturing teams work closely together to deliver quality equipment. This individual will lead controls work from project planning through testing, commissioning, and final delivery, ensuring systems operate safely and meet project requirements.

The ideal candidate will have experience designing, programming, and commissioning industrial control systems. This role requires someone who takes ownership, communicates confidently, and can coordinate with project engineers, manufacturing teams, vendors, and customers to keep projects moving forward.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead controls deliverables across multiple projects from initial planning through commissioning and closeout
• Define controls scope, schedules, budget requirements, and technical risks with Project Engineers
• Review contracts, proposals, and specifications to establish requirements, clarifications, and exclusions
• Develop control narratives and operating sequences that translate process requirements into system behavior
• Prepare I/O and instrument lists, network architecture, panel layouts, electrical schematics, cable schedules, interconnection diagrams, and bills of material
• Specify PLCs, HMIs, remote I/O, VFDs, motor starters, instrumentation, safety devices, and network hardware
• Program, configure, test, and document controllers, operator interfaces, drives, and communications
• Integrate controls with conveyors, motors, gates, safety circuits, customer systems, and third‑party equipment
• Coordinate technical interfaces with internal teams, panel builders, contractors, suppliers, and customers
• Review vendor submittals, respond to technical questions, and support scope changes
• Check designs and programs for accuracy, code compliance, maintainability, and project conformance; conduct factory acceptance testing
• Travel to customer and fabrication sites for checkout, I/O verification, startup, commissioning, tuning, training, and troubleshooting
• Complete as‑built drawings and operating and maintenance documentation while following safety procedures

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of hands‑on experience designing, commissioning, and troubleshooting industrial control systems
• Proficiency with PLC and HMI programming
• Working knowledge of control panels, electrical schematics, motor controls, VFDs, instrumentation, and 24 VDC circuits
• Familiarity with industrial communications, including PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, and Modbus TCP
• Strong field troubleshooting skills and the ability to work safely around industrial equipment and energized systems in accordance with company procedures
• Ability to manage controls deliverables across multiple projects and communicate progress, risks, and technical decisions
• Strong written and verbal communication, problem‑solving, and collaboration skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field; equivalent education and relevant experience will be considered
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with Rockwell Automation and Siemens PLC and HMI platforms
• Experience using AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, SolidWorks Electrical, or comparable electrical design software
• Knowledge of UL 508A, NFPA 79, the National Electrical Code, and industrial control panel practices
• Experience with SCADA, remote connectivity, and managed Ethernet networks
• Background in municipal water or wastewater treatment systems and material handling equipment, including conveyors and bulk storage systems
• Experience with factory acceptance testing and field commissioning of custom OEM equipment