Controls Engineer

MSI Express; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

MSI Express is seeking a Controls Engineer to design, implement, and optimize industrial automation systems across PLCs, HMIs, robotics, and motion control. The role focuses on process automation within continuous and hybrid environments, including packaging and material handling equipment.

You will design and integrate control systems, troubleshoot complex issues, and collaborate with the engineering team on capital projects while maintaining thorough documentation and safety compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, or a related field; or equivalent on the job work experience - Required
• 5-8 years of experience in a controls engineering role in a manufacturing environment OR 3-5 years in a controls engineering role for a systems/machine integrator - Preferred
• Solid understanding of control system design principles and industrial automation - Required
• Excellent programming skills for PLCs, HMIs, and robotics - Required
• Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings - Required
• Familiarity with CMMS - Required
• Project management skills with ability to handle multiple projects - Required
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills - Required
• Experience with Allen Bradley control systems - Preferred
• Strong background in process controls, remote operations, and SCADA systems - Preferred
• Proficiency in AutoCAD for system design - Preferred

Responsibilities

• Design and integrate control systems, including PLCs, HMIs, and motion control, for industrial automation equipment.
• Deploy new control strategies in an ever-evolving environment.
• Work on the development of automated systems from concept to implementation.
• Provide advanced troubleshooting for plant floor automation equipment, identifying and resolving complex issues efficiently.
• Optimize existing control systems for improved performance and efficiency.
• Program PLCs, HMIs, robots, and other control devices to meet system requirements.
• Collaborate with the corporate engineering team on programming and software development for new capital projects.
• Work with reliability engineers, maintenance technicians, and cross-functional teams to support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for control systems, including engineering drawings, programming code, and equipment records.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, industry standards, and safety practices in the design and implementation of control systems.
• Provide training to maintenance technicians and operators on operation and maintenance of control systems.
• Manage and lead controls-related projects from initiation to completion, ensuring adherence to timelines and budgets.
• Stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in controls and automation.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

Robotics

Troubleshooting

Project management

Communication

Reading engineering drawings

Process controls

SCADA systems

Remote operations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, or related field

Tools

Allen-Bradley control systems

AutoCAD

CMMS

SCADA

Job description

MSI Express is a single-source contract manufacturing and packaging company, delivering innovative engineering solutions from our strategically located network of manufacturing facilities.

ROLE PURPOSE/ POSITION SUMMARY

The Controls Engineer, will be responsible for the design, implementation, and optimization of controls and automation systems. This role involves working on a variety of industrial automation equipment, including PLCs, HMIs, robotics, and motion control systems.

The Process Automation designation means that the primary focus will be on supporting continuous process and hybrid environments. This includes batching, blending, and material handling systems as well as .discrete manufacturing equipment such as packaging equipment, robotic automation/cells.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

System Design and Integration:

• Design and integrate control systems, including PLCs, HMIs, and motion control, for industrial automation equipment.
• Deploy new control strategies an ever evolving environment.
• Work on the development of automated systems from concept to implementation.

Troubleshooting and Optimization:

• Provide advanced troubleshooting for plant floor automation equipment, identifying and resolving complex issues efficiently.
• Optimize existing control systems for improved performance and efficiency.

Programming and Software Development:

• Program PLCs, HMIs, robots, and other control devices to meet system requirements.
• Collaborate with the corporate engineering team on programming and software development for new capital projects.

Collaboration and Continuous Improvement:

• Work with reliability engineers, maintenance technicians, and cross-functional teams to support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of new automation technologies.
• Documentation and Record Keeping:
• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for control systems, including engineering drawings, programming code, and equipment records.
• Compliance and Safety:
• Ensure compliance with company policies, industry standards, and safety practices in the design and implementation of control systems.

Training and Development:

• Provide training to maintenance technicians and operators on the operation and maintenance of control systems.
• Project Management:
• Manage and lead controls-related projects from initiation to completion, ensuring adherence to timelines and budgets.

Research and Technology Evaluation:

• Stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in controls and automation.

QUALIFICATIONS/ CAPABILITY PROFILE

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, or a related field; or equivalent on the job work experience - Required
• 5-8 years of experience in a controls engineering role in a manufacturing environment OR 3-5 years of experience in a controls engineering role for a systems/machine integrator - Preferred
• Solid understanding of control system design principles and industrial automation - Required
• Excellent programming skills for PLCs, HMIs, and robotics - Required
• Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings - Required
• Strong troubleshooting skills and knowledge of AC circuits, VFDs, low voltage control wiring, motors, panels, etc. - Required
• Familiarity with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) - Required
• Project management skills with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously - Required
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills - Required
• Experience with Allen Bradley control systems - Preferred
• Strong background in process controls, remote operations, and SCADA systems - Preferred
• Proficiency in AutoCAD for system design - Preferred

- Inc. 5000 #124 fastest growing company in the Midwest. (2025)

- Inc. 5000 #10 fastest growing company in the Midwest. (2022)

- Inc. 5000 #165 fastest growing company in the Midwest. (2021)

- Inc. 5000 #1,085 fastest growing company in the USA. (2023)

- Inc. 5000 #622 fastest growing company in the USA. (2022)

- Inc. 5000 #479 fastest growing company in the USA. (2021)