Controls Engineer

Motrex LLC; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Stryten Energy is hiring a Controls Engineer for our Kansas City, MO plant. You will create and maintain PLC programs, integrate new machinery, and configure HMIs, while aligning with safety and lean practices. You’ll work with suppliers, site engineers, and operations to optimize plant performance.

The role emphasizes rapid troubleshooting, project involvement for a vision system upgrade, and cross-functional collaboration to drive efficiency and output at a high-speed manufacturing site.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of experience as an industrial controls engineer in support of plant operations.
• Ability to read, interpret, and create PLC programming including LD, SFC, FBD, ST, IL.
• Allen-Bradley experience required.
• Experience powering up electrical systems, troubleshooting, and hardware configuration.
• Familiar with UL standards and motion controls.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain PLC programs.
• Contribute to designing, acquiring, and validating manufacturing equipment and tooling.
• Interface with suppliers and Operations to ensure new machinery meets controls standards.
• Collaborate with engineers and technicians to standardize controls and programming.
• Design and interpret blueprints and electrical schematics using CAD tools.
• Recommend controls modifications to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Configure HMI systems (touch screen).
• Develop electrical BOMs for projects.
• Advise on OSHA compliance and safe operating procedures.
• Apply lean concepts on plant projects.

Skills

Allen-Bradley PLC

Industrial controls engineering

Ladder Diagram (LD)

Sequential Function Charts (SFC)

Function Block Diagram (FBD)

HMI programming

Education

BS degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

RSLogix 5000/Studio 5000 Logix Designer

VFDs

HMIs

Ethernet machine networks

Ignition software

AutoCAD/Inventor

MS Project

Job description

Are you an Allen-Bradley PLC expert? Do you thrive on being the go-to person to solve your employer’s greatest technical challenges? Stryten Energy is hiring a Controls Engineer for our state-of-the-art, cutting-edge, 9-year-old plant in Kansas City, MO. No place in the United States runs at our speed. We run two machines, both at 20 tons per hour. Your expertise will ensure the plant produces the grids that go into the batteries our customers depend upon across the country. You thrive on this kind of responsibility and take pride knowing the impact you’ll have in this position.

About the plant - This plant is located close to the airport and within the suburbs of Kansas City, so you won’t have to worry about commuting to the downtown area. Reporting to the Maintenance and Engineering Manager, you are the subject matter expert (SME) and will share knowledge with the 45 employees in operations. At this facility, you are a big fish in a small pond but part of a company with more than 2,500 employees.

Training is available - As the only place in the United States that operates as quickly as we do, you’ll receive training directly from the manufacturer on the proprietary rolling mill and punch press equipment used.

Advancement and growth - With 5 manufacturing facilities in the US, there are always opportunities to move up or around within the company.

About the work - Read below for the formal description. But apply to learn more beyond the troubleshooting and preventative maintenance work, such as a new project for the upcoming year, where you’ll play a key role in adding a new vision system to the plant and other key initiatives.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform essential duties that include the following:

• Create and maintain Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) programs
• Contribute to the team responsible for specifying, designing, acquiring, and validating manufacturing equipment and tooling
• Interface with equipment suppliers and Operations to assure new machinery is built, integrated, delivered, and will run to Stryten Energy's controls and programming standards
• Work with factory-level engineers and technicians to standardize controls and programming
• Design, develop, and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, equipment layouts, and electrical schematics using drafting tools and computer-aided design (CAD)/drafting equipment and software
• Recommend controls and programming modifications to eliminate machine and system malfunctions, minimize operator errors, eliminate recurring equipment issues, increase efficiency, increase output, decrease set-up time, and decrease cost
• Configure HMI systems (touch screen)
• Research suppliers for assembly components and create an electrical bill of materials for existing or new projects
• Advise EHS, Operations, Engineering, and suppliers on OSHA compliance and safe operating procedures for machinery and programming
• Utilize lean concepts on projects throughout the plant to achieve goals
• Additional responsibilities as needed to support the team and company goals.

Experience & Education

• BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience as an industrial controls engineer in support of engineering/maintenance of plant operations preferred.
• Demonstrate an ability to read, interpret, and create PLC programming, including Ladder Diagram (LD), Sequential Function Charts (FC), Function Block Diagram (FBD), Structured Text (ST), and Instruction List (IL).
• Allen Bradley experience required
• Experience powering up electrical systems, troubleshooting, and hardware configuration
• Experience with servo motors, power drives, and overhead cranes
• Familiar with UL standards and motion controls

Software Knowledge

• Strong Allen-Bradley software programming experience, including RS Logix 5000/Studio 5000 Logix Designer
• Experience programming VFDs, HMIs, servo drives, robotics, and other controllers
• Experience with the creation, administration, troubleshooting, and internal/external interface of Ethernet machine networks
• Working knowledge of Inductive Automation’s Ignition software is a plus
• Strong computer skills, including knowledge of Windows-based programs, Autodesk CAD software (AutoCAD, Inventor, etc.), MS Office, and MS Project
• Exposure to Cognex or Keyence is preferred

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Able to see, hear and speak; able to sit, stand for at least two hours at a time, sit, bend, crawl, squat, kneel and climb able to use both arms and hands to use a computer and peripherals and lift 40 pounds from floor level, able to work below ground level in confined spaces and on stationary or mobile elevated platforms, able to wear respirator and other PPE as required, able to climb stairs. Able to work extended shifts and weekends as needed.

Work Environment

• Potential for exposure to lead, acid fumes, dirt, and noise. (Personal protective equipment and supplies are required and provided).

Travel

• Minimal travel for this position.