Controls Engineer

WILMINGTON MACHINERY LLC; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Paid time off

401(k)

401(k) matching

Job summary

Wilmington Machinery LLC in Wilmington, NC seeks an experienced Controls Engineer to design, program, and optimize electrical control systems for large‑scale machinery. You will collaborate with mechanical and electrical engineers to deliver reliable, high‑performance systems that meet safety standards.

Responsibilities include PLC and HMI development, electrical panel design, and machine integration. The role supports manufacturing on the shop floor, implements continuous improvements, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Controls engineering preferred; strong experience considered.
• Minimum 5 years in controls engineering, preferably industrial automation or machinery manufacturing.
• Experience with plastics processing equipment or large primary processing machinery is a plus.

Responsibilities

• PLC & HMI programming, troubleshooting, and optimization for large machines.
• Design electrical control panels and create schematic drawings.
• Integrate electrical systems with mechanical hardware and hydraulics/pneumatics.
• Ensure safety and NFPA 79 compliance and industry standards.
• Support manufacturing on the shop floor and resolve control issues.
• Develop control solutions meeting customer specs with reliability.
• Drive continuous improvement to enhance performance and cycle times.
• Provide technical support for control system malfunctions.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI development

Electrical wiring

Motors & drives

Automation systems

Hydraulic/pneumatic controls

Motion control

Cross‑functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Controls

Associate degree with extensive relevant experience

Tools

AutoCAD

AutoCAD Electrical

EPLAN

Job description

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching

Controls Engineer

Location: Wilmington, NC

Job Type: Full-time, On-site

Salary: Competitive, based on experience

About Wilmington Machinery

Wilmington Machinery is a recognized leader in designing and manufacturing large-scale low-pressure injection molding (structural foam), injection molding, and blow molding machinery. We serve a global customer base and are dedicated to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction.

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to develop, program, and optimize electrical control systems for our machinery. The ideal candidate will work collaboratively with mechanical and electrical engineering to deliver reliable, high-performance machines, ensure compliance with industry standards, and support manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities

• PLC & HMI Development – Program, troubleshoot, and optimize PLC and HMI systems using ladder logic and other industrial programming languages to ensure seamless machine control
• Electrical System Design – Design electrical control panels, select components, and create schematic drawings
• Machine Integration – Work closely with mechanical and electrical engineers to develop efficient hardware-software interfaces for large machines with significant hydraulic, pneumatic, and motion systems
• Safety & Compliance – Ensure designs meet industry safety standards, including NFPA 79 and applicable machine safety requirements
• Manufacturing Support – Assist manufacturing personnel in troubleshooting and resolving electrical and control system issues on the production floor
• Customer Requirements – Develop control solutions that meet customer specifications while ensuring manufacturability and long-term reliability
• Continuous Improvement – Implement innovative control strategies to improve machine performance, cycle time, and process consistency
• Technical Support – Provide expertise in diagnosing and resolving control system and electrical malfunctions

Qualifications & Skills

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related field preferred; strong candidates with an Associate’s degree and extensive relevant experience will be considered

Experience

• Minimum 5 years in a similar controls engineering role, preferably in industrial automation or custom machinery manufacturing
• Experience with plastics processing equipment or large primary processing machinery (injection molding, structural foam, or blow molding) strongly preferred

Technical Expertise

• Strong proficiency in ladder logic programming (Allen-Bradley preferred; Siemens experience a plus)
• Experience with HMI development and integration
• Solid knowledge of electrical wiring practices and machine tool control systems
• Understanding of AC/DC motors, power distribution, servo systems, VFDs, and industrial automation
• Familiarity with motion control and hydraulic/pneumatic system integration on large industrial machines
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar software for electrical schematics

Soft Skills

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and effectively in a cross-functional team

What We Offer

• Competitive pay with overtime opportunities
• Per diem, travel reimbursement, and company credit card
• 401(k) with company match
• Health and dental insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Tight-knit team culture with direct access to engineering and manufacturing

Additional Information

• Must pass a pre-employment drug screening and background check
• This is an on-site position in Wilmington, NC