Controls Engineer

Tarkett; Middlefield (CT); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Retirement plan options

Career growth opportunities

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Tarkett is seeking a hands-on Controls Engineer to take technical ownership of our manufacturing automation systems on the plant floor. You will design, implement, maintain, and continuously improve PLC, HMI, and process control systems to support safe, reliable production and capital projects.

In this role you will collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, IT, and suppliers, develop ladder logic, configure VFDs, and provide remote and on-site support across shifts.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Chemical/Plastics/Industrial Engineering or related technical field
• Minimum of 3 years of plant or related field experience with process or industrial machinery controls
• Allen-Bradley PLC programming and troubleshooting experience (PLC-5, RxLinx, RsLogix 500, Studio 5000, Connected Components Workbench)
• Strong knowledge of industrial machinery and control systems and safety circuits
• Ability to comply with existing safety standards
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Proven problem-solving skills
• Strong team player
• Strong organizational skills and maintain a well-kept work area
• Drive for results and accountability
• Excellent listening and communication skills
• Ability to work with little direct supervision
• Experience coordinating with contractors and suppliers
• Proven success with capital and large project leadership and execution
• Experience with AutoCAD and/or SolidWorks

Responsibilities

• Designs and implements plant wide SCADA and MES system improvements
• Develops and supports Allen Bradley PLC based control systems
• Design electrical systems for new equipment, including schematics and wiring
• Configures and trains personnel on VFDs and control systems
• Troubleshoots machinery and guides maintenance on root causes
• Develops and maintains PLC Ladder Logic for Allen Bradley PLCs
• Mentor engineers and maintenance technicians in automation and controls
• Provide remote troubleshooting support across shifts
• Develops business cases and writes capital appropriation requests with payback/ROI
• Partner with operations to implement AM/PM measures for safe operation
• Negotiate with suppliers and contractors on equipment installation and troubleshooting
• May support facilities power and electrical projects
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Observe all safety rules and regulations
• Act safely and safeguard others

Skills

Allen-Bradley PLC programming

SCADA/MES experience

Industrial control systems

Safety standards

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Team player

Organizational skills

Self-motivation

Coordination with contractors

Capital project leadership

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

iFix/Omron/Pro-Face

Ignition/FactoryTalk Optix

IO-Link

Education

Engineering degree (BS in Electrical/Mechanical/Chemical/Plastics/Industrial or related)

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

iFix

Omron

Pro-Face

Ignition

FactoryTalk Optix

IO-Link

Job description

Position Summary

We are seeking a motivated and hands-on Controls Engineer to assume technical ownership of assigned manufacturing automation systems and industrial control infrastructure within our manufacturing plant. This role is responsible for designing, implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving PLC, HMI, industrial networking, and process control systems that support safe, reliable, and efficient manufacturing operations. The Controls Engineer partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, Production, Quality, IT, and equipment suppliers to optimize automation systems, improve equipment reliability, reduce downtime, and support capital projects. This individual provides daily technical support while leading automation improvement initiatives and developing long-term solutions that improve manufacturing performance. The ideal candidate is a collaborative engineer with strong technical aptitude who enjoys solving complex automation challenges and working directly on the manufacturing floor. This role requires the ability to balance day-to-day production support with project execution in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Designs and implements plant wide SCADA and MES system improvements, working closely with the process engineering and quality teams to determine best practices for data collection and process control.
• Develops and supports Allen Bradley PLC based control systems, including development and recommending technology upgrades of control systems.
• Design electrical systems for new equipment, including schematics, panel design, component selection, and wiring.
• Configures and trains technical personnel on the installation, programming, and troubleshooting of Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and control systems.
• Troubleshoots machinery and plant technical issues, guides Maintenance Techs to address root cause repairs.
• Develops and maintains PLC Ladder Logic and code for Allen Bradley PLCs.
• Troubleshoots maintenance related problems and coaches Maintenance Techs to address root cause of failures. This includes troubleshooting and programming PLC’s using Ladder Logic.
• Mentor other engineers and maintenance technicians in automation and controls, thus improving the overall department skills and abilities.
• Provide remote troubleshooting support as needed to ensure production is maintained across all night and weekend shifts.
• Develop business cases and write Capital Appropriation Requests including project cost and justification with payback & ROI calculations to support operational needs.
• Partner with operations and maintenance teams to implement AM / PM measures to ensure equipment is well maintained for safe and reliable operation to meet product specifications.
• Negotiate with and oversee suppliers and contractors on equipment installation, redesign, and troubleshooting.
• May also be given opportunities to support facilities power and electrical projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Must be responsible for observing all safety rules and regulations.
• Must act safely and be always responsible for the safety of others around you.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Industrial Engineering or related technical degree
• Minimum of 3 years of plant or related field experience with process or industrial machinery controls
• Allen-Bradley PLC programming and troubleshooting experience (PLC-5, RxLinx, RsLogix 500, Studio 5000, Connected Components Workbench)
• Strong knowledge of industrial machinery and control systems and safety circuits.
• Ability to comply with existing safety standards.
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Proven problem-solving skills.
• Strong team player
• Strong organizational skills and maintain a well-kept work area.
• Drive for results and accountability
• Excellent listening and communication skills
• Ability to work with little direct supervision.
• Experience in coordinating efforts with contractors and suppliers is required.
• Proven success with capital and large project leadership and execution
• Experience with AutoCAD and/or Solidworks

Bonus Knowledge / Experience

• Experience with rubber processes and equipment
• Experience with iFix, Omron, Motion Controls, Pro-Face, Ignition, FactoryTalk Optix, IO-Link
• Experience with SAP Knowledge of Hydraulic and Pneumatic System Components

Physical Demands and Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hand and eye coordination, use hand/air/electrical power tools, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and depth perception. The employee must perform his/her job functions while observing Tarkett safety standards and regulations. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to fumes and airborne particles. Adherence to state and local health and safety mandates is required.

#LI-KP1

What We Offer

• A commitment that Safety is #1 Competitive benefits, pay, and retirement plan options! Career growth, stability, and flexible work arrangements.

Responsible Manufacturing – Protecting Our Planet for the Future

We utilize renewable energy and a closed loop recycled water process. We are committed to reducing greenhouse emissions and water consumption. We are the only flooring company recognized by the Asthma and Allergy foundation.

Who we are

With a history of more than 140 years, Tarkett is a worldwide leader in innovative and sustainable flooring and sport surface solutions, generating turnover of €3.3 billion in 2025. The Group has close to 12,000 employees, 25 R&D centers, 8 recycling centers and 33 production sites. Tarkett creates and manufactures solutions for hospitals, schools, housing, hotels, offices, stores and sports fields, serving customers in over 100 countries. To build “The Way to Better Floors,” the Group is committed to circular economy and sustainability, in line with its Tarkett Human‐Conscious Design® approach. www.tarkett-group.com Tarkett is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity in backgrounds and in experiences and promote an inclusive workplace where all employees can perform at their best. As a worldwide leader of the flooring industry, we design, manufacture and provide our customers the most innovative and sustainable flooring and sports surface solutions. At Tarkett, we cultivate a culture of entrepreneurship with respect and trust. We make conscious choices, for people and for the planet and we commit to be next to your every step of the way. At Tarkett we help create great spaces. We believe in taking care of our people, our customers and our planet. We believe in being agile and performance-driven in everything that we do in order to find the best flooring and sports surface solutions.

https://www.tarkett.com/