Controls Engineer

Morales Professional, a morales group company; Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Morales Professional in Lafayette, IN seeks a hands-on Controls Engineer to lead equipment upgrades, automation projects, and plant-wide controls support. This role collaborates with maintenance, production, vendors, and contractors to move initiatives from concept through startup.

You will design, program, and validate PLC and HMI systems (primarily Allen-Bradley), develop control panels, and help improve safety, reliability, and cost efficiency across the plant.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or similar field.
• Hands-on PLC logic design, programming and troubleshooting.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley controls and HMI development.
• Ability to manage multiple projects while supporting daily plant needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical and controls projects from design through startup and validation.
• Design and implement upgrades to panels, PLCs, HMIs, drives, and process controls.
• Program and troubleshoot PLC and HMI systems, focusing on Allen-Bradley.
• Provide technical support to maintenance and production teams.
• Prepare estimates, CAPEX requests, work orders, and schedules.
• Coordinate procurement and vendor/contractor activity.
• Improve safety, reliability, productivity, and operating costs.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI development

Project management

Electrical troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Engineering Technology

Associate degree + 5+ years industrial manufacturing experience

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

HMI software

VFD programming

Job description

A well-established manufacturer in the Lafayette area is seeking a Controls Engineer to lead equipment upgrades, automation projects, and plant-wide controls support. This is a hands-on role for an engineer who enjoys taking projects from concept through startup while partnering closely with maintenance, production, vendors, and contractors.

What You Will Do as a Controls Engineer

• Manage electrical and controls projects from design and budgeting through installation, startup, and performance validation.
• Design and implement upgrades involving electrical and control panels, PLCs, HMIs, AC and DC drives, temperature controls, alarm systems, process monitoring, and equipment interfaces.
• Program, modify, and troubleshoot PLC and HMI systems, with a strong emphasis on Allen-Bradley platforms.
• Provide responsive technical support to maintenance and production teams for electrical, electronic, and automation issues.
• Prepare estimates, capital requests, work orders, schedules, and project documentation; coordinate equipment and material procurement.
• Work with internal teams, vendors, and contractors to improve safety, reliability, productivity, and operating cost.
• Recommend capital investments and maintain accurate engineering drawings, equipment records, and project files.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Engineering Technology; an associate degree with five or more years of relevant industrial manufacturing experience may also be considered.
• Hands-on experience with PLC logic design, programming, and troubleshooting, particularly Allen-Bradley controls.
• Working knowledge of HMI development, VFD programming, industrial electrical systems, power distribution, circuit design, and electrical codes.
• Ability to manage several projects at once while supporting day-to-day plant needs.
• Strong analytical, planning, communication, and project-management skills.

At Morales Professional, we believe careers are more than jobs, they are opportunities to build better futures. As part of Morales Group, an award-winning staffing and talent solutions organization, we are committed to connecting exceptional people with organizations where they can grow, contribute, and thrive.

If you're looking for a company that values integrity, collaboration, continuous improvement, and people-first leadership, we'd love to hear from you.

Morales Professional is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds and experiences to apply.