Controls Engineer

Arena Family of Companies; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

You will troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, drives, sensors, robotics, and plant networks, lead upgrades to make equipment faster and safer, and participate in capital projects from planning through startup. You will coach electricians and instrument techs and keep drawings and documentation current.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of controls and automation experience in a manufacturing plant.
• Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting skills, with Allen-Bradley / Rockwell experience (ControlLogix, Studio 5000, FactoryTalk).
• Beckhoff experience is a great bonus.
• A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field.
• A clear, straightforward communicator who can explain how you think through a problem.

Responsibilities

• Hands-on troubleshooting across PLCs, HMIs, drives, sensors, robotics, and plant networks.
• Finding and leading upgrades that make equipment faster, safer, and more reliable.
• A real seat at the table on capital projects, from planning through startup.
• Coaching electricians and instrument techs so the whole team keeps getting stronger.
• Keeping drawings, programs, and documentation current and organized.

Skills

Controls/Automation

PLC programming

Allen-Bradley/ Rockwell

Beckhoff

Communication

Education

Electrical engineering degree

Tools

Allen-Bradley/ Rockwell

Beckhoff

Job description

Northwest Indiana (Greater Chicago area) | Direct Hire | On-site

Picture this: a line goes down, an operator waves you over, and within minutes you've talked it through, traced the issue, and gotten things running again. For the right engineer, that is the best part of the day. This role was built for that person.

Our client is a well-established global manufacturer with a high-volume plant in Northwest Indiana, an easy commute from the south Chicago suburbs. They need a Controls Engineer who wants to be the automation expert for the entire facility and who enjoys being on the floor as much as behind a laptop.

What you'll own

• Hands-on troubleshooting across PLCs, HMIs, drives, sensors, robotics, and plant networks
• Finding and leading upgrades that make equipment faster, safer, and more reliable
• A real seat at the table on capital projects, from planning through startup
• Coaching electricians and instrument techs so the whole team keeps getting stronger
• Keeping drawings, programs, and documentation current and organized

What you bring

• 4+ years of controls and automation experience in a manufacturing plant
• Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting skills, with Allen-Bradley / Rockwell experience (ControlLogix, Studio 5000, FactoryTalk)
• Beckhoff experience is a great bonus
• A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field
• A clear, straightforward communicator who can explain how you think through a problem

Why this one is worth a look

• One plant and one set of systems that are yours to shape, with no bouncing between customer sites
• An engineering manager who values honesty, curiosity, and people who think out loud
• A stable, global company with room to grow
• A competitive compensation package and full benefits