Controls Engineer

Sonoco; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 70,080 - 123,930; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off and holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Sonoco is seeking a Controls Engineer to maintain, upgrade, and optimize automation systems at our Paper Mill in Richmond, Virginia. You will be responsible for acting as the project lead on automation initiatives, closely collaborating with maintenance and engineering teams, while providing day-to-day technical support.

This role requires expertise in PLC programming, HMI configuration, and AutoCad proficiency. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in engineering and the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate in a team environment.

Qualifications

• Graduated from a four-year college with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering.
• Experience with PLC programming, including ladder logic.
• Good oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Acting as project lead for automation and control projects.
• Creating documentation packages for control system projects.
• Training the maintenance team on control systems.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI configuration

AutoCad

Control system preventative maintenance

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Science in engineering

Associate degree in electrical engineering

Tools

Rockwell / Allen Bradley PLC

Siemens PLC

Yaskawa drives

ABB DCS

Foxboro DCS

Job description

Overview

Sonoco, founded in 1899, is a global leader in packaging solutions with operations in over 34 countries and a commitment to sustainability.

Position Summary

The Controls Engineer will maintain, upgrade, and optimize the control and automation systems at Sonoco’s Paper Mill. The role works closely with the maintenance, engineering, and operations teams to continuously improve safety, reliability, and productivity of mill systems and equipment. It provides day‑to‑day technical support, develops strategic plans for system modernization, and leads or participates in project teams involving control system upgrades and installations.

Responsibilities

• Acting as project lead for automation and control projects.
• Utilizing loop sheets, and electrical elementary diagrams for troubleshoot.
• Using AutoCad to create loop sheets, and electrical elementaries for small control projects.
• Tuning and evaluating control loop performance and auditing control system performance – X,Y plots of control loops to find failing control devices.
• Working with engineers, operations management, maintenance personnel, and contractors to develop and meet scope, budget, and schedule requirements on assigned projects.
• Creating documentation packages for bidding, installation, start‑up, and maintenance of control system projects (scope of work, conduit layouts, cable schedules, connection drawings, bill of materials, preventative maintenance procedures, and required spares).
• Providing commissioning and startup support for controls projects.
• Developing and maintaining a project funnel for automation and control system upgrades.
• Working with plant process engineers to optimize control system performance.
• Providing direction to the maintenance team on controls related work orders.
• Training the maintenance team on new and existing automation and control systems.
• Troubleshooting alongside the maintenance team during system upsets.

Qualifications

• You’ve graduated from a four‑year college or university with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical, mechanical or chemical engineering.
• You’ve graduated from a two‑year college with an associate degree in electrical engineering and relevant field experience.
• You have experience with PLC programming including ladder logic, function diagrams, and structured text. Specific experience with Rockwell / Allen Bradley and Siemens is a plus.
• You have experience with AC and DC drives. Specific experience with Yaskawa, Siemens and Rockwell is a plus.
• You have experience with control system network interfaces and communications protocols.
• You have experience with HMI configuration and programming.
• You have experience with distributed control systems (DCS) and continuous process controls including field instrumentation and valves. Specific experience with ABB and Foxboro is a plus.
• You have experience with control system preventative maintenance including software backups.
• Possess Autocad skills to allow the creation of power plans, single lines, control panel layouts, and electrical control diagrams.
• You can demonstrate good oral and written communication skills.
• You have a proven ability to work in a team environment requiring collaboration with all levels of the organization.
• You have experience with Schneider DCS, Voith QCS, and Rockwell Contrologix/CompactLogix PLC’s.

Salary

• Engineers I: $70,080 - $78,840 per year.
• Engineers II: $84,640 - $95,220 per year.
• Engineers III: $102,080 - $114,840 per year.
• Senior Engineers: $110,160 - $123,930 per year.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, including FSA and HSA options.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Wellbeing tools and resources to support holistic health, including an Employee Assistance Program with a variety of services.
• Paid time off and holidays to recreate, rejuvenate and care for the health of yourself and family.
• Variety of company paid and voluntary employee‑paid insurance plans including life, personal accident, and disability insurance.
• Tuition reimbursement.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.