Controls Engineer

AUTEC; Statesville (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

AUTEC Car Wash Systems is looking for a highly motivated Controls Engineer to join our engineering team. You will design, develop, and support control systems powering our automated car wash equipment, working across teams to deliver reliable, cost-effective solutions.

Responsibilities include PLC programming, documentation, testing, and training, with travel <10% to customer sites as needed. Strong PLC, ladder logic, and CAD skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, controls, or automation engineering preferred; associate degree with relevant experience will be considered.
• Hands-on PLC programming experience (Siemens, Mitsubishi, GE) and ladder logic; CAD tools handling.
• Familiarity with SAP, NEC/NFPA, and UL 508A requirements; knowledge of VFDs, servo systems, motion control, pneumatics, hydraulics, and wire harness design.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, and test control systems using PLCs, relays, timers, and other industrial automation components.
• Create and maintain engineering documentation including schematics, layout drawings, BOMs, manuals, and bulletins.
• Develop test procedures and tools to validate product performance and reliability.
• Support production and field technicians by troubleshooting control system issues.
• Collaborate with software engineers on PLC logic and HMI development.
• Research and implement cost-effective, innovative control solutions to enhance product performance.
• Create and deliver technical training materials for internal teams and customers.
• Ensure compliance with NEC, UL 508A, OSHA, NFPA.
• Occasionally travel (<10%) to customer sites for installation, troubleshooting, or training.

Skills

PLC programming

Ladder logic

Troubleshooting

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Controls/Automation Engineering

Associate degree with relevant experience

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

SOLIDWORKS Electrical

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Controls Engineer to join our engineering team at AUTEC Car Wash Systems. This role is responsible for the design, development, and support of control systems that power our automated car wash equipment. The ideal candidate will have strong technical expertise in PLC programming, control system design, and industrial automation, with the ability to collaborate across teams to deliver innovative and reliable solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, and test control systems using PLCs, relays, timers, and other industrial automation components.
• Create and maintain accurate engineering documentation, including schematics, layout drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), product manuals, and technical bulletins.
• Develop test procedures and tools to validate product performance and ensure reliability.
• Support production and field technicians by troubleshooting control system issues.
• Collaborate with software engineers on PLC logic and HMI development.
• Research and implement cost-effective, innovative control solutions to enhance product performance.
• Create and deliver technical training materials for internal teams and customers.
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards (NEC, UL 508A, OSHA, NFPA).
• Occasionally travel (<10%) to customer sites for equipment installation, troubleshooting, or training.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in electrical, Controls, or Automation Engineering preferred; Associate degree with relevant experience will be considered.
• Technical Skills: Hands-on experience in PLC programming (Siemens, Mitsubishi, GE) and ladder logic; proficiency in AutoCAD Electrical or SOLIDWORKS Electrical, and Microsoft Office tools.
• Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with SAP, NEC/NFPA standards, and UL 508A requirements; experience with VFDs, servo systems, motion control, pneumatics, hydraulics, and wire harness design.
• Other Skills: Strong troubleshooting ability, organizational skills, and effective communication.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Frequently required to stand, sit, reach with arms, talk, and hear.
• Occasionally required to walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 10 lbs, frequently up to 25 lbs, and occasionally up to 50 lbs.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role