Controls Engineer

FPEC Corp.; Springdale (AR); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

FPEC Corp. in Springdale, AR, seeks a Controls Engineer to design, program, and commission PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems for custom meat-processing equipment. You will own control architectures from concept through site commissioning and post-install support, collaborating with mechanical and project teams.

Expect ~20% travel to customer sites and contribute reusable Ignition/Logix templates while ensuring clear electrical documentation and UL 508A considerations.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience programming Rockwell Logix controllers (ControlLogix/CompactLogix) in Studio 5000.
• Familiarity with Python or other scripting languages, and tag-based architecture.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and understand motor control, drives, pneumatics, and sensor integration.
• Willingness to travel to customer sites for installation and commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Develop PLC programs in Studio 5000 for ControlLogix/CompactLogix with safety logic.
• Design SCADA/HMI apps in Ignition or FactoryTalk View, including alarms and security.
• Architect Ignition Gateway deployments with tag historian and PLC integration.
• Develop Ignition scripting in Jython for project logic and data transformations.
• Program Rockwell PanelView Plus or FactoryTalk terminals.
• Create electrical schematics and I/O lists in AutoCAD Electrical.
• Support panel design, UL 508A considerations, and enclosure layout.
• Lead controls commissioning at customer sites and train operators.
• Write functional design specs and participate in design reviews.
• Provide remote and on-site support and software updates.
• Contribute to standardization with templates and naming conventions.

Skills

Troubleshooting skills

Willingness to travel

Strong documentation & design reviews

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Rockwell Studio 5000

ControlLogix/CompactLogix

Ignition (Perspective/Vision)

FactoryTalk View / PanelView Plus

AutoCAD Electrical

EtherNet/IP

OPC UA

Ignition scripting (Jython)

Industrial automation - PLC/SCADA integration

Job description

FPEC has been engineering and building custom machinery for the meat and food processing industry for more than 65 years. As a second-generation, family-owned company, we’re known for reliable equipment, custom-designed for each customer’s process, and for the trust and direct customer relationships that have kept FPEC growing. Our machines are built from 100% stainless steel with precision-welded, unibody construction, so the controls we design must withstand demanding sanitary environments with frequent washdowns.

FPEC has a current employment opportunity for a Controls Engineer to design, program, and commission the PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems behind our equipment. This candidate will work across the full machine lifecycle, from concept and controls architecture through factory acceptance testing, field commissioning at customer plants, and post-installation support. Because FPEC's customers run plants of every size, they will also help build controls that are consistent, serviceable, and easy for their operators to run.

FPEC's controls stack is built primarily on Rockwell Automation hardware and software, with Ignition by Inductive Automation as our standard SCADA and HMI platform for plant-level visualization, data collection, and reporting. This role suits a candidate who enjoys both hands-on PLC work and the software architecture side of building scalable, maintainable systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop PLC control programs in Studio 5000 Logix Designer for ControlLogix and CompactLogix platforms, including motor control, safety, and process logic, following our internal coding standards and reusable library structures.
• Design and build SCADA and HMI applications in Ignition (Perspective and/or Vision) or Factory Talk View Machine Edition, including screen design, tag structures using UDTs, alarm configuration, and user security.
• Architect Ignition Gateway deployments, including tag historian configuration, database connections, and integration with PLCs over EtherNet/IP and OPC UA.
• Develop Ignition scripting in Jython for project logic, data transformations, and custom functions, and maintain version control of projects using our established practices.
• Program Rockwell PanelView Plus or FactoryTalk View terminals.
• Create and maintain electrical schematics, I/O lists, and control panel documentation, typically in AutoCAD Electrical.
• Support panel design and specification, including component selection, UL 508A considerations, and enclosure layout.
• Lead controls commissioning at customer sites, including troubleshooting, I/O checkout, drive tuning, and operator training. Travel of 20% is expected.
• Write functional design specifications and participate in design reviews with mechanical, electrical, and project management teams.
• Provide remote and on-site support for installed machines, diagnose faults, and deliver software updates with minimal downtime.
• Contribute to standardization efforts, including template libraries, naming conventions, and documentation practices that reduce engineering time across projects.

What Success Looks Like

First 90 days:

Candidate will be contributing to active machine projects, owning PLC and HMI code for at least one machine, and completing a site commissioning independently.

First year:

Candidate will be leading controls scope on full machine builds and contributing reusable Ignition and Logix templates that the team uses across projects.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related field; or [5+] years of industrial automation controls experience, preferably in machine building or OEM environments.

Required Qualifications

• Hands-on experience programming Rockwell Logix controllers (ControlLogix or CompactLogix) in Studio 5000.
• Familiarity with Python or other scripting languages, and a solid understanding of tag-based architecture.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols such as EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, and OPC UA.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and understand motor control, drives, pneumatics, and sensor integration.
• Strong troubleshooting skills with both software and electrical systems.
• Willingness to travel to customer sites for installation and commissioning.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Ignition (Vison or Perspective), MQTT, or Sparkplug B for IIoT data architectures.
• Experience with FactoryTalk View, PanelView Plus, or other Rockwell HMI platforms.
• Knowledge of GuardLogix safety controllers and functional safety principles (ISO 13849, IEC 62061).
• Experience with motor control (PowerFlex drives and IEC Motor Contactors).
• Familiarity with NFPA 79 and NEC requirements for industrial machinery.
• Ignition Certified Associate or Certified Professional credential, or Rockwell Automation certifications (e.g., Certified Automation Professional).
• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical.
• Knowledge and Understanding of the UL508A Standard.
• Experience with Python or other scripting languages for data analysis or integration tasks.

While performing the duties of the Controls Engineer, the employee is regularly exposed to vibration. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually very loud.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the Controls Engineer. While performing the duties of the Controls Engineer, the employee is required to:

Task % of time:

80% Sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl and climb

20% Lift and move up to 50 pounds

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position; 40 hours per week with occasional overtime as job duties demand.