Controls Engineer

Founders Brewing Co.; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Health, dental, vision insurance

Volunteer time off

Job summary

Founders Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids, MI, is seeking a Controls Engineer to provide operational expertise across PLC programming, electrical systems, and controls to support a 24/7 hybrid manufacturing environment.

You will interface with production equipment, develop PLC programs, diagnose issues, and implement sustainable improvements. The role emphasizes collaboration with Maintenance, Operations, Engineering, and IT, along with training teammates and documenting changes.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher in a related field with 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience in PLC programming and automation in manufacturing.
• Ability to read electrical drawings and documentation.
• Proficient with Allen-Bradley and Siemens platforms preferred.
• Willingness to work off-shifts, weekends, and overtime.

Responsibilities

• Create, modify, and maintain PLC programs for equipment.
• Troubleshoot PLC logic, I/O, control circuits, networks, and automation systems.
• Configure and troubleshoot HMI applications, robotics, VFDs, and automation technologies.
• Maintain electrical drawings, program documentation, and configuration records.
• Diagnose and repair production equipment and support maintenance.

Skills

PLC programming

Automation

Electrical troubleshooting

HMI programming

Education

Associate’s degree or higher in related field

Tools

Allen-Bradley

Siemens

Job description

At Founders Brewing Co., we continually challenge ourselves into places that most won’t go. We strive to be unique, to break barriers and challenge what is commonly accepted as the “norm.” It’s this mindset that has created our culture here at Founders and led us all to a lifestyle of no regrets. Why can’t we become who we choose to become?

Our collective goal is to be one of the most highly recognized and successful breweries in the United States.

An important part of reaching this goal is by recruiting, hiring and retaining unique individuals from a variety of backgrounds possessing broad and diverse skill sets. Quite simply, we believe that these people make the world a better place – and Founders a better company.

Our work community is made up of dedicated employees that bring their best to work every day to make the most delicious beer on the planet. To continually strive for greatness, it is essential for us to have a team that reflects the diverse communities we love, serve and to whom we raise our glasses.

We believe in fostering an atmosphere of empowerment and where every Founders team member can belong…bringing their full, authentic selves to work each and every day. It’s the Founders way.

Employee Benefits

Physical / Mental Wellness

• Health insurance benefits are offered to all employees including a no cost plan. Our cafeteria style benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, short/long term disability, identify theft protection, critical illness/accident/hospital and pet insurance.
• Employer Health Savings account contributions for eligible employees
• We are partnered with an Employee Assistance Program and offer up to 7 free counseling sessions per issue per year for all employees and anyone living in the same household
• Discounts on gyms and opportunities for monthly reimbursement

Paid Time Away

• Taking time away from work is important and sometimes necessary to support personal well-being and lite responsibilities:
  • Personal
  • Observed Holidays
  • Floating Holidays
  • Volunteer Time Off
  • Paternity Leave
• For significant work anniversary milestones, we offer sabbaticals – paid time away from your job

Beer, Food and Fun

• We employe happy hours throughout the year
• Internal Recognition including Employee of the Month & Employee of the Year rewards
• Giveaways throughout the year
• We offer a 401k plan with a Company Match
• Competitive wages
• Shift premiums for off-shift hours

Beer and Apparel Discounts

• Enjoy a discount to use in our Taprooms, and our Company Store
  • 50% off draft & packaged beer
  • 33% off everything else (food, apparel, etc.)
  • Free keg for your wedding or renewing vows
• $75/annually safety work boot reimbursement for Production & Retail employees
• $100/biennial for RX safety work glasses reimbursement for Production employees
• Production & Retail employee receive 5 work shirts annually

Give Back

• We provide paid time away from work to volunteer in the community (Volunteer PTO)
• We match employee donations through our Bigger Pitcher Giving Committee
• On-site blood drives

Founders Brewing co. values

Our values reflect the ethos and culture of Founders Brewing Co. They are guidelines for decision-making, problem solving and other actions. We are all ambassadors of our company — and we know that a value-based organization can stand the test of time. Every single employee is responsible for making sure these values are part of our character.

Inclusion

Come as you are. Diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives inspire us. Each person’s values, interests and palate are all part of who they are. We respect individuality. Founders Brewing Co. is strengthened when we attract, develop and retain a group of people that reflects the diversity of our communities and our customers.

Be honest and genuine. We don’t hide things in our products, and we don’t hide who we are or what we do. We want transparency and open communication. We look each other in the eye and tell each other the truth. Our collaboration and shared commitment with each other make us stronger and allows us to win together.

Committed to Quality

Quality stands as the cornerstone of the beverages we craft — a testament to our dedication to excellence. Quality is a guiding principle that shapes everything we do — ensuring that every product, service, or interaction reflects the highest standards. We want everyone at Founders Brewing Co. to have pride that they have a hand in creating the best possible beverage for our consumers.

Community-Oriented

We’re thankful for the environmental and social communities that allow us to make and serve great products. We respect and are cognizant of the impact of our work in our hometowns, and across the country. It’s all of our jobs to promote a responsible brewery culture. We’re committed to sustainable practices for future generations. And we’ll do everything we can to give back and support the communities where we live and work.

Brave & Inventive

While we stay true to our roots, we’re dedicated to evolving, improving, and building upon our craft — every day. We never stop working to better ourselves. Innovation propels us forward, driving us to explore new frontiers and challenge the status quo. It’s not just about embracing change, but positively and actively shaping it. By fostering a culture of innovation, we empower ourselves to adapt to evolving landscapes, anticipate needs and pioneer groundbreaking beverages our consumers love.

Open Positions

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Job Id:1161

# of Openings:1

SUMMARY

Provide operational expertise and hands-on troubleshooting in programming, electrical systems, equipment, operational technology, software management, and controls to support safe, reliable, and efficient production in a 24/7 hybrid manufacturing environment. The Controls Engineer directly interfaces with production equipment, creates and manages PLC programs, diagnoses controls-related problems, and implements practical, sustainable solutions. The role also supports equipment optimization, technology integration, and maintenance team development.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Includes the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Controls Engineering and PLC Programming

• Create, develop, modify, and maintain PLC programs for new and existing equipment.
• Manage PLC backups, version control, documentation, revisions, and recovery procedures.
• Troubleshoot PLC logic, I/O, control circuits, industrial networks, and automation systems.
• Configure and troubleshoot HMI applications, robotics, VFDs, and other automation technologies.
• Maintain electrical drawings, program documentation, and configuration records.

Hands-On Equipment Troubleshooting and Problem Solving

• Directly interface with production equipment to diagnose, troubleshoot, repair, and optimize production systems and platforms.
• Use systematic troubleshooting, electrical drawings, diagnostic software, test equipment, and hands-on investigation.
• Support root causes analysis of failures and helps implement corrective actions that prevent recurrence.
• Troubleshoot production equipment of various levels of sophistication including process and discrete control systems.
• Perform installation and maintenance work with skilled trade and technical personnel as required.

Reliability, Optimization, and Projects

• Coordinate controls-related preventive maintenance, repairs, and optimization with Maintenance and Operations.
• Improve reliability, reduce downtime, and optimize processes using equipment history and downtime data.
• Evaluate equipment and recommend controls upgrades, modernization, and automation improvements.
• Monitor and evaluate industry trends and changes regarding emerging technologies and obsolescence of current equipment.
• Support equipment design, installation, integration, commissioning, and troubleshooting.
• Support startups, commissioning, testing, and performance verification of new equipment.
• Coordinate controls projects with contractors and vendors.

Collaboration, Training, and Documentation

• Collaborate with Maintenance, Operations, Engineering, and IT on equipment and operational technology integration.
• Coach technical team members in PLC troubleshooting, electrical systems, and automation.
• Document troubleshooting, program changes, equipment history, and work in the CMMS.

Safety and Compliance

• Follow company safety policies, lockout/tagout procedures, and electrical safety practices.
• Maintain an awareness of and support adherence with appropriate OSHA, NEC, NFPA, and ISA best practices and standards.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Associate’s degree or higher in a related field with 5+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of hands‑on industrial controls experience, technical training, and demonstrated expertise in PLC programming, automation, and equipment troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated experience creating, modifying, managing, and troubleshooting PLC programs in an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Proven ability to diagnose and resolve electrical, controls, and automation issues directly at production equipment.
• Experience with PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, VFDs, and electrical/electronic equipment.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Allen-Bradley and Siemens automation platforms is preferred.
• Ability to read, interpret, create, and maintain electrical drawings and documentation.
• Strong practical problem-solving, root-cause analysis, project execution, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Experience with robotics, PID tuning, commissioning, line integration, or food/beverage/packaging manufacturing is preferred.
• Self‑starter able to support maintenance goals and work effectively across departments.
• Ability to access, troubleshoot, and service controls and electrical components located throughout the production environment, including equipment accessed by ladders, scaffolds, aerial lifts, and other elevated work areas, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be available to support off-shifts, weekends, on‑call needs, and overtime as required.
• Competitive Salary Range
• Health, dental, vision, and other coverage for all employees starts date of hire.
• 401(k) matching
• Paid time off, volunteer time, and floating holidays

Founders Brewing Co. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship status, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, training, termination, promotions, or any other condition of employment or career development.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, please reach out to [e-mail]