Controls Engineer

Innovate; Iowa; On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Innovate seeks a Controls Engineer to program, commission, and support control systems for water, wastewater, municipal utilities, and manufacturing environments. You’ll work closely with customers and internal teams to define scope, configure PLCs, and develop SCADA/HMI solutions using FactoryTalk View SE/ME.

You’ll gain training in arc flash studies and power analysis while traveling to local sites and supporting system installations.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in controls or automation engineering.
• Hands-on PLC programming and SCADA/HMI development.
• Ability to read electrical drawings and schematics.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and customer-facing comfort.

Responsibilities

• Program and configure PLC systems (Allen-Bradley, Rockwell, Siemens, Modicon).
• Build and support SCADA and HMI applications (FactoryTalk View SE/ME).
• Collaborate with panel designers and builders on custom control panels.
• Test, start up, commission and troubleshoot on customer sites.
• Directly engage with customers to scope problems and propose solutions.
• Learn arc flash studies, one-line drawings, and power studies with training.

Skills

PLC programming

SCADA/HMI development

Electrical drawings reading

Troubleshooting

Customer-facing communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in EE/Controls/CE

Tools

Allen-Bradley/ Rockwell

Siemens PLCs

Modicon PLCs

FactoryTalk View SE/ME

Job description

My client is a long-established, family-owned electrical and company in Cedar Rapids, IA.

They're growing their Engineering Division and need a Controls Engineer who enjoys programming, commissioning and working face to face with customers.

What you'll do

• Program and configure PLC systems, mainly Allen-Bradley and Rockwell, plus some Siemens and Modicon
• Build and support SCADA and HMI applications, including FactoryTalk View SE and ME
• Work with panel designers and builders on custom control panels
• Test, start up, commission and troubleshoot systems at customer sites across water and wastewater, municipal utilities and manufacturing
• Work directly with customers to scope problems and deliver solutions
• Learn arc flash studies, one-line drawings and power studies, with training provided

What you'll bring

• 3+ years in controls or automation engineering
• Hands-on PLC programming and SCADA/HMI development
• Confidence reading electrical drawings and schematics
• Strong troubleshooting skills, and comfort being the person the customer talks to
• Willingness to travel occasionally to local sites
• Nice to have: commissioning experience, SKM or arc flash experience, water or wastewater background, and a degree in EE, Controls or Computer Engineering