Controls Engineer

MSI Express, Inc.; St. Charles (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401K Match

Paid time off

Bonus Eligible

Job summary

MSI Express, Inc. is seeking a Controls Engineer to design, implement, and optimize industrial automation systems. You will work with PLCs, HMIs, robotics, and motion control, supporting batching, blending, material handling, and packaging equipment in a plant setting.

In this full-time, on-site role, you will program devices, troubleshoot issues, and collaborate with cross-functional teams on new capital projects. A strong background in automation and process controls is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Electrical Engineering/Automation.
• 5–8 years in a controls engineering role in manufacturing, or 3–5 years in machine integration.
• Strong understanding of control system design and industrial automation.
• Proven ability to read engineering drawings and schematics.
• Excellent programming skills for PLCs, HMIs, and robotics.
• CMMS familiarity; strong troubleshooting capabilities.
• Knowledge of Allen Bradley systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and integrate PLC/HMI/motion control for industrial automation equipment.
• Deploy new control strategies in evolving manufacturing environments.
• Develop automated systems from concept to implementation.
• Provide advanced troubleshooting for plant floor automation.
• Optimize existing control systems for performance and efficiency.
• Program PLCs, HMIs, robots, and other control devices to meet requirements.
• Collaborate with engineering on software for capital projects.
• Lead controls-related projects from initiation to completion.
• Create and maintain documentation for control systems.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

Robotics

Motion control

SCADA

Troubleshooting

AutoCAD

CMMS

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering/Automation

Tools

Allen Bradley control systems

AutoCAD

Job description

Job Description: Job Type: Full-time Pay: $85,000 - $125,000.00 per year Benefits: Health insurance Paid time off Dental Insurance Vision Insurance 401K Match Bonus Eligible Schedule: First Shift Work Location: In person

ROLE PURPOSE/ POSITION SUMMARY

The Controls Engineer will be responsible for the design, implementation, and optimization of controls and automation systems. This role involves working on a variety of industrial automation equipment, including PLCs, HMIs, robotics, and motion control systems. They will be expected to support continuous process and hybrid environments. This includes batching, blending, and material handling systems as well as discrete manufacturing equipment such as packaging equipment, robotic automation/cells. Additionally, they will support electrical engineering efforts as they relate to facilities and building automation.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• System Design and Integration: Design and integrate control systems, including PLCs, HMIs, and motion control, for industrial automation equipment.


• Deploy new control strategies and ever evolving environment.


• Work on the development of automated systems from concept to implementation.


• Providing advanced troubleshooting for plant floor automation equipment, identifying and resolving complex issues efficiently.


• Optimize existing control systems for improved performance and efficiency.


• Program PLCs, HMIs, robots, and other control devices to meet system requirements.


• Collaborate with the corporate engineering team on programming and software development for new capital projects.


• Work with reliability engineers, maintenance technicians, and cross-functional teams to support continuous improvement initiatives.


• Contribute to the development and implementation of new automation technologies.


• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for control systems, including engineering drawings, programming code, and equipment records.


• Ensure compliance with company policies, industry standards, and safety practices in the design and implementation of control systems.


• Provide training to maintenance technicians and operators on the operation and maintenance of control systems.


• Manage and lead controls-related projects from initiation to completion, ensuring adherence to timelines and budgets.


• Stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in controls and automation.

QUALIFICATIONS/ CAPABILITY PROFILE

• Minimum Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, or a related field; or equivalent on the job work experience.


• 5-8 years of experience in a controls engineering role in a manufacturing environment OR 3-5 years of experience in a controls engineering role for a systems/machine integrator - Preferred.


• Minimum Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities: Solid understanding of control system design principles and industrial automation.


• Excellent programming skills for PLCs, HMIs, and robotics.


• Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings.


• Strong troubleshooting skills and knowledge of AC circuits, VFDs, low voltage control wiring, motors, panels, etc.


• Familiarity with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).


• Project management skills with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.


• Experience with Allen Bradley control systems - Preferred.


• Strong background in process controls, remote operations, and SCADA systems - Preferred.


• Proficiency in AutoCAD for system design - Preferred.

MSI Express is an equal opportunity employer.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

We are a single-source contract manufacturing and packaging company, delivering innovative engineering solutions from our strategically located network of manufacturing facilities.