Controls Engineer

Craft Automation; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) and health benefits available

Job summary

Craft Automation, a UL508A-certified industrial automation and control panel fabricator based in Kalamazoo, MI, is seeking a Controls Engineer to join our engineering team. You will design and program PLC and HMI solutions for food, beverage, brewing, distilling, and wastewater projects, and support field commissioning.

You will work on-site at our Kalamazoo headquarters with light travel to client sites, collaborating with sales and production to scope, estimate, and implement automation

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in process automation and controls engineering.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field is a plus.
• Experience with IDEC, Allen-Bradley, and/or Ignition control platforms is a plus.
• Ability to read electrical and mechanical schematics.

Responsibilities

• Partner with management, sales, and clients to scope new automation projects.
• Design and develop process automation schemas for clients using existing equipment.
• Build proposals outlining automation solutions and cost estimates.
• Write PLC and HMI programs for control platforms.
• Travel to client sites to support production and installation teams.
• Provide remote debugging and support for existing installations.
• Lead controls strategy through innovative programming and efficient processes.
• Travel up to 25% for commissioning, conferences, and client visits.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

Client communication

Blueprints reading

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

Allen-Bradley

IDEC

Ignition SCADA

AutoCAD LT

Job description

Craft Automation, a UL508A-certified industrial automation and control panel fabrication company based in Kalamazoo, MI, is hiring a Controls Engineer to join our engineering and product development team. We design and build automated processing systems for food, beverage, brewing, distilling, milling, material handling, and wastewater treatment clients — combining custom system integration with Craft’s own signature product line.

You’ll work hands-on with PLC and HMI programming (Allen-Bradley, IDEC, and Ignition SCADA), partner with our sales and production teams on new project scope, and support commissioning in the field. This is an on-site role based at our Kalamazoo headquarters, with light travel for startups, commissioning, and client visits.

What You’ll Do

• Partner with management, sales, and prospective clients to scope new automation projects.
• Design and develop process automation schemas for individual clients using new and existing equipment.
• Build proposals outlining automation solutions and cost estimates to meet client needs.
• Write PLC and HMI program code for Allen-Bradley, Ignition, IDEC, and other control platforms.
• Travel to client sites to support production and installation teams during system startup.
• Provide remote debugging, troubleshooting, and help-desk support for existing customer installations.
• Lead controls strategy through innovative custom programming and efficient standard process control.
• Travel up to 25% for commissioning, conferences, and sales visits.

What You’ll Bring

• Ability to read and interpret electrical and mechanical blueprints and schematics.
• Experience designing and programming control schema from process flow diagrams, P&IDs, and other technical documentation.
• Ability to write PLC and HMI software from scratch or using existing Craft source code.
• Working knowledge of VFDs, sensors, and motion control components.
• Strong communication skills and a professional manner when working directly with clients.

Experience & Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in process automation and controls engineering.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field is a plus.
• 5+ years programming in one or more of our core industries.
• Self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to work cross-functionally without direct supervision.
• Experience with IDEC, Allen-Bradley, and/or Ignition control platforms is a plus.

Nice to Have

• Familiarity with AutoCAD LT.
• Knowledge of processes within our core industries (food, beverage, distilling, milling, wastewater).
• Software development experience in Ignition or other programming languages.
• UL508A MTR certification and/or related experience.

Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation commensurate with experience: $80,000–$120,000
• 401(k) and health benefits available
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or in the future.