Controls Engineer

Smart4 Sciences; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) matching

Paid vacation

Job summary

Smart4Sciences in Circleville, Ohio, is seeking a Controls Project Engineer to lead end-to-end automation initiatives within a manufacturing setting. You will own projects from concept through commissioning, working with PLCs, instrumentation, HMI and SCADA while coordinating with operations, maintenance, contractors and vendors.

You will drive control system improvements to enhance plant reliability and process performance, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance while delivering projects on

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field.
• 5+ years of experience in industrial controls and automation.
• Strong knowledge of PLCs, instrumentation, and SCADA/HMI systems.
• Experience leading engineering projects from concept to start-up.

Responsibilities

• Develop, scope and deliver controls projects with plans, budgets and schedules.
• Design and improve PLC-based control systems, HMI and SCADA.
• Support PLC programming, debugging and system modifications.
• Lead projects through installation, commissioning and start-up.
• Drive process performance, safety and reliability improvements.
• Coordinate upgrades, installations and modifications with ops and vendors.
• Troubleshoot faults and address recurring process issues.
• Ensure on-time, within-budget project delivery.
• Collaborate with contractors and engineering partners.

Skills

Industrial controls

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA

Project management

Electrical engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Controls/Automation

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

GE Proficy iFix

Job description

Smart4Sciences are working with a global manufacturing organisation who are looking to add a Controls Project Engineer to their engineering team at their Circleville, Ohio facility.

This is a hands-on controls engineering role focused on developing, implementing and improving industrial control systems across a manufacturing facility. You’ll work with PLCs, process instrumentation, HMI and SCADA systems, supporting new installations, upgrades and modifications to existing processes.

You’ll take ownership of controls projects from initial concept and system design through to installation, commissioning and start-up, collaborating with operations, maintenance, contractors and vendors to improve plant reliability, process performance and automation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, scope and deliver controls engineering projects, including project plans, technical specifications, budgets and schedules.
• Design, implement and improve industrial control systems, including PLCs, process instrumentation, HMI and SCADA.
• Support PLC programming, configuration, troubleshooting and system modifications, particularly using Allen-Bradley platforms.
• Lead controls projects from initial concept and engineering through installation, commissioning and start-up.
• Develop control system solutions to improve process performance, operational efficiency, safety and reliability.
• Coordinate control system upgrades, equipment installations and process modifications across the facility.
• Work closely with operations and maintenance teams to troubleshoot control system faults and resolve recurring process issues.
• Coordinate contractors, vendors and engineering partners to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time and within budget.
• Develop project scopes, obtain technical bids, manage costs and monitor project progress.
• Support the integration of process instrumentation, control systems, HMI, SCADA and data collection systems.
• Coordinate system outages and shutdown activities associated with control system installations and upgrades.
• Ensure control system projects comply with relevant safety, process safety and environmental requirements.
• Develop operating procedures and training programmes for new or modified control systems.
• Communicate technical solutions and project progress effectively to engineering, operations and other stakeholders.

What We're Looking For:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology or a related discipline.
• 5+ years’ experience in industrial controls, automation, process instrumentation, DCS and/or PLC systems.
• Strong experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs and industrial process instrumentation.
• Experience troubleshooting, modifying or implementing industrial control systems within a manufacturing or process environment.
• Experience managing engineering projects from concept through installation, commissioning and start-up.
• Understanding of industrial automation, control system integration, HMI and SCADA applications.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to diagnose technical issues and develop practical engineering solutions.
• Excellent communication and project coordination skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally.
• Experience with GE Proficy iFix, SCADA, HMI or historian systems would be advantageous.
• Exposure to process safety management and environmental compliance within a manufacturing environment would be beneficial.

What's On Offer:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance.
• 401(k) matching.
• Retirement savings programme.
• Paid vacation.
• Paid holidays.
• Permanent position with a global manufacturing organisation.
• Opportunity to lead significant controls, automation and process improvement projects.
• Hands-on involvement in control system upgrades, commissioning and plant optimisation.