Controls Engineer

Lasko Products; Franklin (TN); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Lasko Products is seeking a hands-on Controls Engineer to design, program, and commission automated equipment in our Tennessee manufacturing environment. You will develop PLC programs, troubleshoot equipment, and implement safe, reliable control solutions.

The role requires extensive PLC and electrical controls experience, plus collaboration with Maintenance, Operations, Engineering, and IT to advance automation projects from concept to production support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field required.
• 5–10 years of manufacturing experience.
• Proven PLC programming, troubleshooting, and electrical controls skills.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and technical drawings.
• Hands-on wiring, cabinet-building, and HMI configuration experience.

Responsibilities

• Design machine control systems and develop PLC programs from concept through completion.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing equipment, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Design, fabricate, install, and troubleshoot electrical and electronic control systems supporting existing operations and new equipment builds.
• Identify opportunities to improve existing automation or introduce new automated solutions.
• Partner with mechanical designers to develop, justify, fabricate, program, test, debug, install, and commission automation projects.
• Provide hands-on support to Maintenance and Operations teams for PLC, electrical, electronic, and equipment-related issues.
• Build control cabinets and HMI panels, run wiring, and perform light mechanical fabrication as needed.
• Monitor and support real-time manufacturing data-acquisition systems, including dashboards development.
• Create and modify PLC-based palletizer stacking programs for new products and skid changes.
• Program and troubleshoot robotics, vision systems, and EOAT, including FANUC robotics.
• Support collaborative robotics applications and identify opportunities to incorporate robotics into processes.
• Collaborate with Corporate IT on projects involving industrial networks, system integration, or onsite technical support.
• Contribute to continuous-improvement, equipment reliability, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Travel occasionally to other Lasko facilities as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

PLC programming

Electrical controls

Robotics familiarity

Industrial networks

HMI development

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Omron PLCs

FANUC robotics

Vision systems

Job description

Lasko Products, an industry leader in home comfort products for more than 120 years, is seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to support our manufacturing operations.

This hands-on role is responsible for designing, programming, building, troubleshooting, and commissioning automated equipment and control systems. The Controls Engineer will develop PLC programs, identify opportunities to improve manufacturing automation, and partner with Maintenance, Operations, Engineering, and IT to implement safe, reliable, and cost-effective solutions.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in a manufacturing environment, strong PLC programming and electrical controls expertise, and the ability to take automation projects from initial concept through installation and production support.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design machine control systems and develop PLC programs from concept through completion.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing equipment, identify root causes, recommend corrective actions, and implement effective solutions.
• Design, fabricate, install, and troubleshoot electrical and electronic control systems supporting existing operations and new equipment builds.
• Identify opportunities to improve existing automation or introduce new automated solutions.
• Partner with mechanical designers to develop, justify, fabricate, program, test, debug, install, and commission automation projects.
• Provide hands-on support to Maintenance and Operations teams for PLC, electrical, electronic, and equipment-related issues.
• Build control cabinets and Human Machine Interface (HMI) panels, run wiring, and perform light mechanical fabrication as needed.
• Monitor and support real-time manufacturing data-acquisition systems, including the development of user and customer dashboards.
• Create and modify PLC-based palletizer stacking programs to support new products, customer requests, and skid-configuration changes.
• Program and troubleshoot robotics, vision systems, and end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), including FANUC robotic applications.
• Support collaborative robotic applications and identify opportunities to incorporate robotics into manufacturing processes.
• Partner with Corporate IT on projects involving industrial networks, system integration, or onsite technical support.
• Contribute to continuous-improvement, equipment-reliability, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Travel occasionally to other Lasko facilities as business needs require.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Five to ten years of technical experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing, modifying, and troubleshooting PLC programs.
• Strong knowledge of electrical control systems, industrial networks, and electronic equipment.
• Working knowledge of mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, technical drawings, and equipment documentation.
• Hands-on experience wiring equipment, building control cabinets, and configuring HMI panels.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to provide and use basic hand tools required for the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience programming and troubleshooting Omron PLCs and controls.
• Experience with FANUC robotics and vision systems.
• Knowledge of collaborative robotics and end-of-arm tooling.
• Experience with manufacturing data-acquisition systems and dashboard development.
• Experience designing and commissioning automated manufacturing equipment.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to producing accurate, high-quality work.
• Highly organized and able to manage projects systematically from concept through completion.
• Self-motivated and capable of working independently with limited supervision.
• Dependable, responsive, and able to support time-sensitive manufacturing needs.
• Able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and manage competing priorities.
• Strong safety awareness with the ability to identify and correct potentially unsafe conditions.
• Effective communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Energetic, hands-on approach to supporting manufacturing operations.

About Lasko Products

Lasko Products is the leading air solutions brand with a reputation for reliable products, peak performance, and perpetual innovation – our commitment to our customers for over a century. Founded in 1906by Henry Laskoin Philadelphia, Laskohas evolved for over a century to become the global leader in air solution products. From our roots in small appliances, fans, and portable heaters, we’ve grown to become the leading home comfort company while maintaining our unwavering commitment to quality and value. Today, Lasko stands as a symbol of innovation, offering consumers around the world high-performance products;portable fans, heaters, air purifiers, humidifiers, and home ventilation solutions. Our well-known brands, Lasko, B-Air, BlueDri, Air King, and Guardian Technologies, serve both consumer and commercial markets across North America and internationally.As an American company for 120 years, we take pride in upholding the spirit of hard work, trust and accessibility, ensuring that Lasko remains available to all, for generations to come.Headquartered in West Chester, Pennsylvania, with manufacturing and distribution facilities in Tennessee and Texas,Laskointends to set the standard in the air solutions category for another 100 years.

Lasko’s mission is to provide comfort you can trust.

Our company’s success is based on our culture of GRACE, with five core “Be” values outlining how we live it.

Growth Mindset — Be Bold

• We are never the finished product ─ every failure is a data point, every setback is a setup.

Recognition — Be Together

• We win together. We celebrate together! High performance deserves to be seen ─ named, specific, remembered.

Authenticity — Be Real

• No masks. No politics. Show up as you are, say what you mean, and mean what you say.

Clear Communication — Be Clear

• Say it plainly. Say it once. Say it to the right person. Clarity is kindness.

Extreme Ownership — Be Accountable

• No blame. No excuses. Own the win and the loss. No exceptions.

Why Join Lasko?

At Lasko, we believe people do their best work when they’re supported ─ personally and professionally. That’s why we offer flexible hours and a hybrid work schedule for our corporate team, promoting employees to balance life and work in a way that fits their lifestyle. Our dog-friendly corporate headquarters adds a fun, welcoming atmosphere, while our competitive salaries with bonus potential recognize and reward your contributions. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes a strong 401(k) match, wellness incentives, and robust health coverage. Join Lasko and be part of a legacy of innovation – at a company that values flexibility, growth, and a culture where you can thrive.