Controls Engineer

Socket.dev; Petersburg (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus opportunity

401(k) with company match

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Tuition reimbursement

Paid parental leave

Career development & advancement

Job summary

Gerdau is seeking a Controls Engineer - Level I to design, program, and troubleshoot PLC-based control systems in a highly automated rolling mill environment. You will lead automation initiatives, support HMI applications, and collaborate with operations and maintenance teams to improve reliability, safety, and throughput.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering or related field and 3+ years of manufacturing automation experience, with strong problem-solving and communication

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Engineering Technology, or equivalent automation experience.
• 3+ years of manufacturing automation or controls experience.
• Experience programming and troubleshooting PLC systems.
• Strong understanding of industrial electrical systems, motors, drives, and control circuits.
• Ability to troubleshoot automation, communication, and HMI‑related issues.
• Strong communication and problem‑solving skills.
• Authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship requirements.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, modify, and troubleshoot PLC‑based control systems.
• Support and improve HMI applications used by production and maintenance teams.
• Lead automation projects that improve reliability, safety, and productivity.
• Troubleshoot electrical, controls, networking, and communication issues.
• Develop and implement process improvements that reduce downtime and increase throughput.
• Analyze equipment performance and recommend automation improvements.
• Participate in major outages, capital projects, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with operators, maintenance personnel, and leadership teams to solve complex operational challenges.

Skills

PLC programming

Troubleshooting automation

HMI development

Industrial networking

Electrical systems understanding

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Engineering Technology, or equivalent automation experience

Tools

Allen‑Bradley PLCs

Siemens PLCs

Ignition

GE Cimplicity

Industrial Ethernet Networks

ABB Drives

IBA Process Data Systems

Job description

Controls Engineer - Level I

Join Gerdau and help drive the future of steel manufacturing through automation, controls, and process improvement. In this role, you'll work on a highly automated rolling mill environment, leading projects that improve equipment reliability, production throughput, and operational performance.

This is an opportunity to own meaningful automation initiatives while working alongside operations, maintenance, and engineering teams in a hands‑on manufacturing environment.

Why Join Gerdau?

• Annual bonus opportunity
• 401(k) with 100% company match up to 6%
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting on day one
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid parental leave
• Career development and advancement opportunities

What You'll Do

• Design, program, modify, and troubleshoot PLC‑based control systems
• Support and improve HMI applications used by production and maintenance teams
• Lead automation projects that improve reliability, safety, and productivity
• Troubleshoot electrical, controls, networking, and communication issues
• Develop and implement process improvements that reduce downtime and increase throughput
• Analyze equipment performance and recommend automation improvements
• Participate in major outages, capital projects, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Collaborate with operators, maintenance personnel, and leadership teams to solve complex operational challenges

What We're Looking For

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Engineering Technology, or equivalent automation experience
• 3+ years of manufacturing automation or controls experience
• Experience programming and troubleshooting PLC systems
• Strong understanding of industrial electrical systems, motors, drives, and control circuits
• Ability to troubleshoot automation, communication, and HMI‑related issues
• Strong communication and problem‑solving skills
• Authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship requirements

Preferred:

• Rockwell Automation or Siemens PLC experience
• HMI development experience
• Industrial networking experience
• Experience with drives, instrumentation, and process automation
• Experience in steel, metals, paper, chemical, mining, or other heavy manufacturing environments

Technologies You May Work With

• Allen‑Bradley / Rockwell PLCs
• Siemens S7 / TIA Portal
• Ignition
• GE Cimplicity
• Industrial Ethernet Networks
• ABB Drives
• IBA Process Data Systems

The Impact You'll Make

You will play a key role in improving automation reliability, reducing downtime, increasing production efficiency, and supporting the long‑term modernization of one of North America’s leading steel manufacturers.

Keywords: BSEE, Electrical Engineer, Automation Engineer, Controls Engineer, Process Engineer, automation, programming, control systems, PLC, HMI, SCADA, hydraulics, pneumatics, AC/CD, drives, motors, steel, metals, manufacturing

Gerdau believes in equal employment opportunity related to all employees and applicants for employment. It is the policy of Gerdau that there will be no discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

If you are vision‑impaired or have some other disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act / Accessible Canada Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to applying for employment at Gerdau, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team at (866)-788-2798 or [e-mail]