Controls Engineer

Scientific Protein Laboratories; Waunakee (WI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental & Vision

401k plan

Life Insurance

Job summary

Scientific Protein Laboratories (SPL), located just outside Madison in Waunakee, WI, is hiring an Electrical & Controls Engineer to develop, test, and maintain PLC and HMI programs for manufacturing and utilities in a cGMP environment.

You will work with Rockwell platforms (ControlLogix/CompactLogix, PlantPAx) and FactoryTalk View SE, ensuring data integrity and regulatory compliance while supporting project upgrades and process validation.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on PLC and HMI programming experience with Rockwell Automation platforms.
• Proficient in Rockwell Studio 5000/RSLogix 5000 for PLC programming (Ladder Logic, Structured Text, Function Block).
• Proficient in FactoryTalk View Site Edition (SE) for HMI development.
• Understanding of industrial networking (EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet).
• Experience documenting work activities and equipment history in a CMMS (Fiix).
• Preferred: PlantPAx DCS programming and configuration experience; FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot PLC programs using Rockwell Automation ControlLogix and CompactLogix platforms in a cGMP environment.
• Design, program, and maintain HMI applications using FactoryTalk View SE, ensuring data integrity and ALCOA+.
• Program PlantPAx distributed control system applications following ISA-88 (S88) standards and established conventions.
• Create and maintain accurate, revision-controlled documentation including specifications, comments, and change logs.
• Document automation work activities and system changes in the CMMS (Fiix) to maintain equipment history.
• Collaborate with Production, Quality, and Engineering teams to optimize automated systems and new capital projects.

Job description

JOB SUMMARYJoin our team at Scientific Protein Laboratories (SPL), a world leader in biosourced pharmaceuticals, located just outside of Madison, Wisconsin in Waunakee! SPL is an innovative biopharmaceutical leader with unique products and services supporting the pharmaceutical industry globally. For over 40 years, SPL specializes in the development and cGMP compliant manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). SPL has an exciting opportunity to join the team as an Electrical & Controls Engineer.The Controls Engineer is responsible for the development, maintenance, and troubleshooting of PLC and HMI programs for production and utility systems in a cGMP pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. This role requires meticulous attention to detail, strict adherence to programming standards (including ISA-88/S88 batch control standards), and thorough documentation practices to ensure compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11, data integrity requirements, and validation protocols. The Automation Engineer will focus primarily on Rockwell Automation platforms including ControlLogix, CompactLogix, PlantPAx, and FactoryTalk View SE applications. This position works cross-functionally with Production, Quality, and Engineering teams to optimize automated systems and advises on automation requirements for capital improvement projects.Responsibilities include:Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot PLC programs using Rockwell Automation ControlLogix and CompactLogix platforms in compliance with cGMP and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirementsDesign, program, and maintain HMI applications using Rockwell FactoryTalk View Site Edition (SE), ensuring strict adherence to data integrity principles (ALCOA+)Program and maintain PlantPAx distributed control system applications following ISA-88 (S88) batch control standards and established programming conventionsCreate and maintain accurate, revision-controlled program documentation including functional specifications, code comments, and change logs per pharmaceutical industry standardsDocument all automation work activities, troubleshooting outcomes, and system modifications in the CMMS (Fiix) to maintain comprehensive equipment history recordsImplement and validate control system modifications following established change control procedures and validation protocols (IQ/OQ/PQ)Troubleshoot and resolve automation system issues in a timely manner to minimize production downtime while maintaining complete documentation of all actions takenCollaborate with Production, Quality, and other departmental teams to identify, optimize, and resolve pain points with automated system operationsSupport process validation activities by programming recipe-based batch control systems and ensuring audit trail functionalityCollaborate with Quality Assurance to ensure all automation changes meet regulatory requirements and pass internal/external auditsAdvise Project Engineers on automation requirements for capital projects, including recommendations for large-scale improvements, PLC hardware upgrades, and HMI system enhancementsMaintain revision control of all PLC and HMI programs using established version control practicesDevelop standardized programming templates and reusable code modules following S88 and internal programming standards to ensure consistency across production systemsSupport maintenance technicians with troubleshooting guides and technical documentation for automated systemsParticipate in root cause analysis for automation-related deviations and implement corrective actions with appropriate documentationAdditional ResponsibilitiesSupport capital projects involving automation system installations and upgradesCapital project execution, including design, specifications, vendor coordination, commissioning, and turnoverAssist with network infrastructure maintenance for industrial control systemsJob Requirements and Qualifications:Required:Associate degree in Industrial Automation, Electronics Technology, Instrumentation, Computer Science, or related technical discipline3+ years of hands-on PLC and HMI programming experience with Rockwell Automation platforms (ControlLogix, CompactLogix, FactoryTalk View SE)Proficient in Rockwell Studio 5000/RSLogix 5000 for PLC programming (Ladder Logic, Structured Text, Function Block)Proficient in FactoryTalk View Site Edition (SE) for HMI developmentUnderstanding of industrial networking (EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet)Experience documenting work activities and equipment history in a CMMSPreferred:Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering Technology, or related discipline5+ years in pharmaceutical, API, or FDA-regulated manufacturing environmentPlantPAx DCS programming and configuration experienceExperience with FactoryTalk Historian and FactoryTalk BatchKnowledge of FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance and data integrity requirements (ALCOA+)Experience following ISA-88 (S88) batch control programming standardsWHY JOIN SPL?Our employees are our success! We recruit motivated people, recognize their contributions, and support their development to reach their full potential.Perks include: competitive compensation; excellent benefits package - including Medical, Dental and Vision on Day 1; Life and AD&D Insurance, and Short and Long-term Disability; Health and Flexible Saving Account options; Employee Assistance Program, generous vacation; paid Holidays; 401k; advancement opportunities; team-oriented environment; community involvement; company events and more!SPL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and any other status protected by applicable local, state or federal law