Controls Engineer

SEC Group; North Carolina; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SEC Group is seeking a hands-on Controls Engineer to support a high-volume manufacturing operation in the Greater Raleigh, NC area. The role emphasizes PLC programming, troubleshooting, and leading controls projects across automation equipment.

You will design and troubleshoot PLC/HMI/SCADA systems, implement automation solutions to boost production efficiency and reliability, and collaborate with maintenance, engineering, and operations to minimize downtime and improve performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Controls/Automation or related field
• 3+ years of Controls Engineering in a manufacturing environment
• Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting experience
• Experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell and/or Siemens PLC platforms
• Experience with HMI and SCADA systems
• Experience leading automation, controls, or capital equipment projects
• Ability to create and maintain electrical drawings and controls documentation

Responsibilities

• Design, program, troubleshoot, and maintain PLC, HMI, and SCADA control systems
• Develop automation solutions to improve production efficiency, equipment reliability, and product quality
• Integrate new automation equipment into existing manufacturing processes
• Lead controls and automation projects from planning through installation, commissioning, and startup
• Create and maintain electrical schematics, controls documentation, and operating procedures
• Diagnose and resolve complex electrical, controls, software, mechanical, and automation issues
• Perform root cause analysis and implement permanent corrective actions
• Partner with Maintenance, Engineering, Production, Quality, and Operations to minimize downtime and improve equipment performance
• Conduct controls and automation system audits to ensure safe and efficient operation
• Manage project timelines, budgets, vendors, contractors, and other project resources
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, quality, and manufacturing standards
• Train maintenance and production personnel on controls systems and troubleshooting procedures
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies
• Evaluate and implement new automation technologies to improve manufacturing performance

Skills

PLC programming

Troubleshooting

HMI/SCADA

Allen-Bradley/Rockwell

Siemens PLC

Electrical drawings

Lean Six Sigma

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Allen-Bradley/Rockwell

Siemens

HMI/SCADA software

Job description

Controls Engineer – Manufacturing | Day Shift

Schedule: Day Shift

We are seeking a hands‑on Controls Engineer to support a high‑volume manufacturing operation in the Greater Raleigh, NC area. This individual will serve as a technical resource for industrial automation and controls systems while supporting equipment reliability, automation projects, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The ideal candidate will have experience in a high‑speed manufacturing environment with strong PLC programming and troubleshooting skills, along with experience supporting automated production equipment and leading controls or capital projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, program, troubleshoot, and maintain PLC, HMI, and SCADA control systems
• Develop and implement automation solutions to improve production efficiency, equipment reliability, and product quality
• Integrate new automation equipment into existing manufacturing processes
• Lead controls and automation projects from planning through installation, commissioning, and startup
• Create and maintain electrical schematics, controls documentation, and operating procedures
• Diagnose and resolve complex electrical, controls, software, mechanical, and automation issues
• Perform root cause analysis and implement permanent corrective actions
• Partner with Maintenance, Engineering, Production, Quality, and Operations to minimize downtime and improve equipment performance
• Conduct controls and automation system audits to ensure safe and efficient operation
• Manage project timelines, budgets, vendors, contractors, and other project resources
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, quality, and manufacturing standards
• Train maintenance and production personnel on controls systems and troubleshooting procedures
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies
• Evaluate and implement new automation technologies to improve manufacturing performance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered
• 3+ years of Controls Engineering experience in a manufacturing environment
• Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting experience
• Experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell and/or Siemens PLC platforms
• Experience with HMI and SCADA systems
• Strong knowledge of industrial electrical controls and automation systems
• Experience supporting automated manufacturing equipment
• Ability to troubleshoot electrical, controls, software, and mechanical issues
• Experience leading automation, controls, or capital equipment projects
• Experience creating and maintaining electrical drawings and controls documentation
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in food or high-volume manufacturing
• Experience working in a regulated manufacturing environment
• Familiarity with GMP, HACCP, FDA, USDA, or similar manufacturing requirements
• Lean Manufacturing experience
• Six Sigma experience or certification
• Robotics and industrial automation experience
• Experience with Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies
• Familiarity with machine learning or advanced analytics applications in manufacturing
• Experience supporting multiple manufacturing facilities
• Project management experience, including budgeting, scheduling, and resource allocation

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an excellent opportunity for a Controls Engineer who enjoys being hands‑on in a manufacturing environment and wants to have a direct impact on automation, equipment reliability, and production performance. The role offers the opportunity to work on complex controls systems, capital projects, and continuous improvement initiatives while partnering closely with engineering, maintenance, and operations teams.

Work Environment: On‑Site Manufacturing Facility