Controls Engineer

ITAC

Richmond (VA)

On-site

USD 100,000 - 145,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Vision Insurance

Dental Insurance

401k & ESOP

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Employee Assistance Program

Professional Development

Wellness Program

Safety Incentive Program

Chaplain Care

Job summary

ITAC in Richmond, VA seeks a full-time Controls Engineer to design, implement, and maintain automated control systems for a manufacturing client. You will troubleshoot PLC-based systems, develop engineering documentation, and drive reliability improvements on-site.

You should have 5–10 years in industrial controls, hands-on Rockwell Allen-Bradley PLC experience, and familiarity with HMI/SCADA, VFDs, and instrumentation.

Qualifications

5–10 years in industrial controls, automation or electrical engineering in manufacturing.
Hands-on programming, troubleshooting, and maintaining Rockwell Allen‑Bradley PLC systems.
Experience with PLC ladder logic, HMI/SCADA, and industrial networking.
Ability to read electrical drawings/schematics and drive reliability improvements.
Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

Program, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain Rockwell Allen‑Bradley PLCs and related systems.
Develop and optimize PLC ladder logic, control strategies, and automation solutions.
Design, support, and troubleshoot HMI/SCADA applications for processes.
Diagnose control system issues to improve performance and reliability.
Prepare engineering docs, I/O lists, diagrams, and equipment specs.
Support MCCs, VFDs, and electrical distribution upgrades and modernization.

Skills

Industrial controls

Automation engineering

Rockwell PLC programming

HMI/SCADA development

Electrical drawings & schematics

Troubleshooting & problem-solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

Rockwell Allen-Bradley PLCs

HMI/SCADA platforms

Industrial networking (Ethernet/IP, Modbus, Profibus, Profinet)

Job description

ITAC serves Process & Industrial clients with integrated engineering and construction services for complex capital projects. We also offer specialty services including power systems services and products, custom machine fabrication, and fall protection services and equipment. Founded in 1988 on a dream and a $5K loan, ITAC is a true success story. From humble beginnings to an ENR-Ranked Top Design Firm with a nationwide footprint and over 500 employees operating from 6 offices in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, we provide Fortune 500 companies with innovative design-build solutions. We specialize in power generation & utilities, chemicals, food & beverage, forest products, advanced manufacturing, and minerals & metals.

ITAC’s purpose is to make life better. For our employees, this means providing them with the resources and flexibility they need to have both a rewarding career and a fulfilling family life. ITAC is 100% employee-owned. Through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and Direct Stock Ownership, every team member has the unique opportunity to be an owner who shares in the company’s growth and earnings. We offer our team a comprehensive benefits package and numerous employee incentives. Rooted in love, we serve and care for our employees like family.

We hire passionate and motivated people with an innovative mindset and the desire to grow. If the thought of challenging, fast-paced projects excites you, then you’ve come to the right place. At ITAC, you’ll be part of a collaborative team that works hard to make life better. For more information, visit itac.us.com.

This is a seconded position, meaning the selected candidate will be employed by ITAC but work full-time on assignment with one of our clients. While day-to-day responsibilities will be managed on-site with the client, ITAC provides ongoing support, resources, and benefits as your employer. This position is full time contract work anticipated to last for twelve (12) months with possibility for extension and requires the employee to work onsite at the client’s Richmond, VA location.

Objective

We are seeking a full-time Controls Engineer to support an industrial manufacturing client through the design, implementation, optimization, and maintenance of automated control systems and electrical infrastructure. This role will be responsible for troubleshooting and improving PLC-based control systems, supporting automation projects, developing engineering documentation, and driving operational reliability initiatives within active manufacturing environments. The ideal candidate will possess strong experience with industrial controls, automation technologies, electrical systems, and process improvement while collaborating with operations, maintenance, engineering teams, and project stakeholders to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient manufacturing solutions.

Responsibilities

Program, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain Rockwell Allen-Bradley PLCs and associated control systems.
Develop, modify, and optimize PLC ladder logic, control strategies, and automation solutions.
Design, support, and troubleshoot HMI and SCADA applications for industrial processes.
Diagnose and resolve control system, instrumentation, communications, and automation issues to improve system performance and reliability.
Maintain automation software backups, configuration management systems, and engineering documentation.
Develop electrical and controls engineering documentation including I/O lists, loop diagrams, power distribution drawings, panel schedules, control panel layouts, and equipment specifications.
Interpret and work from P&IDs, process flow documentation, equipment lists, and electrical schematics.
Support the specification, installation, and modernization of motor control centers (MCCs), variable frequency drives (VFDs), industrial control panels, and electrical distribution systems.
Perform root cause analysis on equipment and process failures and implement corrective actions.
Analyze operational and equipment performance data to improve reliability, productivity, and process efficiency.
Collaborate with operations, maintenance, contractors, vendors, and multidisciplinary engineering teams to implement automation and process improvements.
Support project planning, execution, commissioning, testing, startup activities, and field verification efforts.
Monitor project progress and ensure technical deliverables meet quality, safety, and operational requirements.
Participate in continuous improvement, reliability, and maintenance initiatives, including planned outages and shutdown activities.

Requirements

Minimum of 5-10 years of experience in industrial controls, automation, or electrical engineering within a manufacturing or process environment.
Hands-on experience programming, troubleshooting, and maintaining Rockwell Allen-Bradley PLC systems.
Experience developing and modifying PLC ladder logic and supporting industrial automation systems.
Working knowledge of HMI, SCADA, and industrial networking technologies.
Experience with AC/DC motors, variable frequency drives (VFDs), instrumentation, and process control systems.
Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, schematics, control narratives, and industrial automation documentation.
Familiarity with industrial communication protocols including Ethernet/IP, Modbus, Profibus, or Profinet.
Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
Ability to work safely and effectively in both office and industrial plant environments.

Preferred Skills

Rockwell PLC Maintenance Certification or equivalent Allen-Bradley certification.
Experience with Siemens S7 PLC platforms.
Experience with PanelView, Ignition, or other HMI platforms.
Background supporting liquid process manufacturing environments, including food & beverage or other continuous process industries.
Experience supporting control system upgrades, equipment installations, and automation modernization projects.
Strong knowledge of instrumentation, process controls, and reliability improvement methodologies.
Continuous improvement or manufacturing reliability experience.

From internships to seasoned professionals, our growing company provides career opportunities for all levels of experience. We offer our team a comprehensive benefits package and numerous employee incentives. For life’s challenges, we also provide our employees and their immediate families with certified chaplains for around-the-clock encouragement and support. Rooted in love, we serve and care for our employees like family. ITAC provides benefits such as