Controls Engineer

Maker's Pride; Downers Grove (IL); Remote; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a talented Controls Engineer to enhance technical solutions and drive continuous improvement in manufacturing processes. This exciting remote role, with travel requirements, focuses on maximizing equipment intelligence and efficiency while collaborating with various teams. You'll design control systems, program PLCs, and develop HMI applications, ensuring that standards are met across all sites. If you have a passion for engineering and a knack for problem-solving, this opportunity allows you to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment, supporting innovative projects and advancing your career in the food processing sector.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering preferred with 3+ years in project engineering.
• Experience with Allen Bradley controls platforms and AutoCAD is essential.

Responsibilities

• Drive continuous improvement in smart plant and equipment objectives.
• Design control systems and assist with electrical engineering design.
• Provide training on OT systems and support automation systems.

Skills

Electrical theory

Ladder logic code development

PID loop logic

Allen Bradley controls platforms

Project management

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Financial analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

MS Office Suite

Wonderware System Platform

Job description

Downers Grove, 3333 Finley Rd, Downers Grove, Illinois, United States of America ● Virtual Req #5320

Friday, April 18, 2025

Job Summary:
The Controls Engineer is an Engineering Services support position, responsible for the continuous improvement and support of new and existing technical solutions. The role works directly with Engineering, Maintenance, IT, and Operations to ensure technical solutions continue to evolve with the business and manufacturing process. Constant focus on maximizing equipment intelligence, safety and efficiency while looking for ways to minimize repetitive human interactions. Resource that will work with Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, IT, and OEMs to ensure networking standards and requirements are followed. Aid in the development and continuous improvement of current Electrical standards and best practices.

This role is remote with travel and support to all sites within the network wherever the need may be, with primary focus to initially be in the Chicagoland area.

Job Duties:

1. Drive continuous improvement in all smart plant and equipment objectives
2. Design control systems that provide instantaneous feedback to operators and supervisors
3. Work with OT Support Engineer and maintenance to create user applications to monitor and control production processes
4. Assist Plant Engineering team with electrical engineering design and review for new and existing equipment installations
5. Industrial Controller (PLC) programming and Human Machine Interface (HMI) design, development, and troubleshooting
6. Wonderware System Platform development and troubleshooting
7. Provide formal and informal training on OT systems as system changes are implemented
8. Develop and maintain asset registers for each site related to OT systems
9. Expose data from new and existing sensors for MES data collection
10. Automation system support, development, and troubleshooting (Robotics, Vision, Gantry, Storage, etc.)
11. Develop and support OT Disaster Recovery processes and procedures
12. Travel up to, but not limited to 50% as required to support other sites
13. Maintain up to date passport for travel outside of the USA as required

Required Competencies & Knowledge:
Knowledge of:

• Baking, and food processing equipment
• Sanitary design practices
• Rotating machinery; Servo motors, AC induction motors, and DC motors
• Robotics and integrated systems
• Project Management Methodologies
• Other non-standard controls software, Siemens, Omron, Mitsubishi
• CMMS
• AutoCAD
• Visio

Skill in:

• Electrical to include; AC/DC theory, transformers, power supplies, VFD(s), AC/DC motor starters/controls, relay logic, EIP networking
• Ladder logic code development
• PID loop logic
• Allen Bradley controls platforms; RS Logix 500, 5000, Panel builder, and Studio 5000
• AutoCAD electrical drawing development
• High and low voltage troubleshooting
• Intermediate to advanced excel
• Financial analysis and budgeting
• Leadership and strong communication skills
• Gantt chart development
• Project management
• Presentation skills

Ability to:

• Design new electrical schematics using AutoCAD electrical
• Work with vendors and internal team to identify correct products for our machinery
• Generate bill of materials and project related documentation
• Generate PLC and HMI programs for process and packaging machinery
• Review electrical drawings/schematics and provide feedback to the team related to corrections and or revisions needed to accomplish end goal of the process
• Assist in operational checkout of machinery as required for FAT/SAT
• Development of operating and user manuals as required for new and existing processes
• Troubleshoot existing machinery and production lines
• Use AB and Siemens motion control software
• Communicate cross-functionally to gain alignment of goals and objectives related to project
• Coach/Mentor project team members as necessary
• Perform financial analysis as it relates to ROI, Payback, IRR, as well as budget development, budget tracking and financial close-out
• Convert older/obsolete controls components, PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, Servos
• Manage projects and work with limited supervision
• Exercise independent judgment

Proficiency in:

• MS Office Suite specifically; Project, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Allen Bradley controls platforms; RS Logix 500, 5000, Panel builder, and Studio 5000
• AutoCAD

Work Environment:
Work is primarily done in a manufacturing setting at eight (8) to twelve (12) hour shifts. Continuous production environment exposure, which includes: noise, dust, moving machinery, fork lifts and fluctuations in temperature.

Physical Requirements:
Standing for extended periods of time. Stand, walk and climb stairs on a frequent basis. Must be able to lift 100 pounds on an infrequent basis.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering preferred or work-related experience
• 3 years’ experience with Allen Bradley controls platforms; RS Logix 500, 5000, Panel builder, and Studio 5000
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in project engineering
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in project management
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in AutoCAD
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in food experience preferred

Maker's Pride is an Equal Opportunity Employer.