Controls Engineer

Vector Technical Inc.; Kent (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Vector Technical Inc. is seeking a Controls Engineer in the Greater Cleveland area to design, develop, and optimize PLC-based control systems for manufacturing equipment. You will implement HMI/SCADA interfaces, alarms, trending, and data visibility to improve reliability and efficiency.

The role requires hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell platforms and a collaborative approach with Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, and IT teams. Direct Hire with competitive salary and benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Controls, Automation, Computer, or Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Experience designing and troubleshooting industrial automation in manufacturing.
• Experience programming PLCs (Allen-Bradley/Rockwell) and developing HMI/SCADA apps.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, modify, and troubleshoot PLC-based control systems for manufacturing equipment and processes.
• Develop and maintain HMI/SCADA applications for machine control, alarms, trends and monitoring.
• Program and support Allen-Bradley/Rockwell platforms and related hardware.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA

Industrial networking

Python (optional)

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

FactoryTalk View

Ignition

Rockwell PLC

EtherNet/IP

Job description

Are you passionate about industrial automation, control systems, and solving complex manufacturing challenges?

Vector's partner is seeking a Controls Engineer to support the design, development, implementation, and improvement of automated manufacturing systems.

In this role, you will work closely with Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, IT, and equipment suppliers to improve machine reliability, process control, data visibility, and manufacturing efficiency.

This position provides the opportunity to work with a wide range of manufacturing equipment and automation technologies while helping modernize and expand the company's controls and operational technology capabilities.

Direct Hire

Salary is $110k - $120k+, depending on experience.

• To achieve the higher end of this salary range, you must: Have strong controls experience;
• Be very hands-on;
• Be able to work in a fast-paced environment;
• Be solutions-driven

** Candidates must live in the Greater Cleveland Area to be considered for this position. **

What You'll Do

• Design, develop, modify, and troubleshoot PLC-based control systems for manufacturing equipment and processes.
• Develop and maintain HMI and SCADA applications used for machine control, operator interfaces, alarms, trending, and process monitoring.
• Program and support Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation PLC platforms and associated industrial control hardware.
• Develop and support visualization and data acquisition systems using platforms such as Rockwell FactoryTalk and Inductive Automation Ignition.
• Integrate sensors, instrumentation, variable frequency drives, motion control systems, safety devices, and other industrial automation components.
• Troubleshoot electrical, controls, instrumentation, communication, and automation issues on production equipment.
• Support the specification, commissioning, startup, and validation of new manufacturing equipment and automated systems.
• Develop control strategies and automation improvements that increase equipment reliability, process consistency, productivity, and product quality.
• Support industrial communication networks and protocols used to connect PLCs, HMIs, equipment, databases, and manufacturing systems.
• Work with Engineering and IT teams to support integration between plant-floor Operational Technology (OT) systems and enterprise IT infrastructure.
• Develop standards and documentation for controls architecture, PLC programs, HMI applications, electrical systems, network configurations, and equipment interfaces.
• Collaborate with equipment manufacturers, system integrators, Maintenance, Operations, Engineering, and IT to implement automation projects and resolve manufacturing issues.
• Evaluate emerging automation, controls, sensing, machine vision, and manufacturing technologies for potential implementation.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience developing and troubleshooting industrial automation and control systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience programming PLCs, preferably Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation platforms such as ControlLogix and CompactLogix.
• Experience developing HMI or SCADA applications using platforms such as FactoryTalk View or Inductive Automation Ignition.
• Familiarity with industrial sensors, instrumentation, VFDs, motors, safety systems, and machine control components.
• Understanding of industrial networking and communication protocols such as EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, OPC UA, and related technologies.
• Ability to troubleshoot electrical and control systems using schematics, PLC logic, diagnostic tools, and process data.
• Experience integrating manufacturing equipment with databases, historians, MES, or other manufacturing information systems is a plus.
• Programming or scripting experience with Python, SQL, MATLAB, C++, or similar technologies is a plus.
• Familiarity with industrial cybersecurity, OT network architecture, ISA-95, or Cisco CPwE principles is a plus.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• A self-starter who enjoys working directly with manufacturing equipment and collaborating across Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, and IT.
• To conform with US export regulations and ITAR 120.15 and EAR Part 772, incumbents for this role must be eligible for any required authorizations from the US government.