Controls Engineer II

Trex Company; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 68,000 - 128,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Time Off

Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

401(k) with Company Match

Tuition Reimbursement

Training and Education

Stock Purchase Program

Employee Discount Program

Job summary

Trex Company in Little Rock, AR is seeking a Controls Engineer to design and support instrumentation, PLC controls, and variable frequency drives for all production lines. You will collaborate with process engineers and maintenance staff on capital projects, documentation, and startup activities.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and hands-on experience in controls design and PLC programming within manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field.
• Experience in controls design and programming in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and support instrumentation, PLC controls, and VFDs for production lines.
• Assist maintenance and process engineers in refining controls and operation of equipment.
• Maintain documentation for electrical panels and PLC controls, including drawings and manuals.
• Support capital projects including panel design, vendor coordination, PLC and HMI programming, and startup.
• Provide training and off-hours troubleshooting for PLC controls.

Skills

Controls design

PLC programming

Capital projects

Electrical engineering

Instrumentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

Tools

Panel design

VFD drives

HMI programming

Job description

RESPONSIBILITIES

The plant Controls Engineer provides design and support for instrumentation, PLC controls, and variable frequency drives for all production lines. Assists process engineers in refining controls / operation of existing equipment and assists in capital project execution. This position may be called on to assist maintenance technicians in tasks or troubleshooting involving controls issues and projects. Participates as an engineering liaison in additional projects.

• Put safety first – Always!
• Lead and foster our “people first” culture.
• Safety
• Participate in site safety programs designed to assure safe working conditions and eliminate any workplace accident. Be familiar with and provide oversight on NFPA70E. Be a visible participant in the site safety program.
• Controls Engineering
• Develops and executes changes to PLC controls where necessary working with process engineers and maintenance technicians.
• Maintains the documentation (both electronic and hard copies) for the electrical panels and PLC controls for each process. This would include drawings, diagrams, manuals, installation disks/CD's and any other pertinent information. Updates any documentation where necessary. Follows a controlled PLC change system that will track changes.
• Supports capital engineering projects for new equipment, including panel design, coordination with vendors for construction, PLC and HMI programming and new equipment startup.
• Involved with PLC, drive, instrumentation, and electrical installations. Available to assist maintenance with troubleshooting of controls issues.
• Develops and reviews procedures and provides training for others to handle routine PLC control or electrical issues during normal off-hours. Provides off-shift troubleshooting if necessary.
• Conducts and maintains the necessary contacts for ensuring that PLC controls and equipment are current and that the necessary spare parts are available.

JOB LOCATION

Little Rock, Arkansas, United States

POSITION TYPE

Full-Time/Regular

EXPERIENCE

We are looking for leaders with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field, along with experience in controls design and programming (years of experience requirements are listed below). We want to hear from you if you have previous experience as a systems engineer or electrical engineer.

• Controls Engineer I:0-1 years of controls design and programming experience in a manufacturing environment.
  • Candidates with an associate degree, along with 3 years of controls design and programming experience in a manufacturing environment, will be considered.
  • Entry‑level or early‑career engineer.
  • Works under the guidance of senior engineers.
  • Focuses on execution, documentation, and troubleshooting support.
• Controls Engineer II:2-4 years of controls design and programming experience in a manufacturing environment.
  • Candidates with an associate degree, along with 5 years of controls design and programming experience in a manufacturing environment, will be considered.
  • Mid‑level engineer with demonstrated experience in PLC programming and capital project support.
  • Works independently on most assignments.
  • Leads small‑to‑mid‑size controls initiatives and mentors junior team members as needed.
• Controls Engineer III:5-7 years of controls design and programming experience in a manufacturing environment.
  • Candidates with an associate degree, along with 7 years of controls design and programming experience in a manufacturing environment, will be considered.
  • Senior‑level engineer with extensive controls and project leadership experience.
  • Leads major capital projects and complex system integrations.
  • Serves as subject matter expert for PLC, drives, instrumentation, and controls strategy.
  • Drives continuous improvement and mentors junior engineers.

At Trex, we believe in persevering even when there’s no road map, embracing groundbreaking as a way of life. We encourage multiple perspectives and welcome diverse people who problem‑solve, adapt, and innovate – always with a firm foundation in safety and integrity.

SALARY

• Controls Engineer I:Base Salary Range: $68,000 - $98,000 annually.
• Controls Engineer II:Base Salary Range: $82,000 - $112,000 annually.
• Controls Engineer III:Base Salary Range: $98,000 - $128,000 annually.

The salary range provided serves as a general guideline for potential compensation for this position. It reflects the base salary and does not account for other benefits or additional compensation opportunities that may apply. This role is also eligible for further compensation through an annual/sales bonus, in addition to the base salary.

At Trex, individual base salaries are determined based on various factors, including relevant skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location. We are committed to maintaining pay equity and considering the internal equity of our existing team members when finalizing compensation offers. In addition to competitive pay, Trex offers a comprehensive benefits package, which is detailed below.

BENEFITS & PERKS

We believe that real effort should be rewarded. We take care of you as part of our Trex family so you can take care of yours. Here are some of the perks beyond the paycheck:

• Time Off: We’ll give you paid holidays and paid vacation.
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Choose from a variety of options. We’ll cover a generous share of the cost. Plus, you can earn lower rates through our wellness program.
• 401(k) With Company Match: Save for your retirement and we’ll match it dollar for dollar.
• Tuition Reimbursement: We’re all about lifting each other to the next level. When you’re ready to get the degree, we’ll pick up part of the tab.
• Training and Education: We offer dozens of options to boost your performance – both online and on‑site nearby.
• Stock Purchase Program: Invest in Trex at a discounted price.
• Employee Discount Program: When you make the World’s No. 1 Decking Brand, you’ll probably want to enjoy the finished product yourself. We’ll give you a discount.

WHO WE ARE

Over 30 years ago, our founders created the world’s first high-performance, low-maintenance composite decking and outdoor living products. That entrepreneurial spirit still drives us today as we continue to redefine our industry and lead the way for what’s next in outdoor living. Today, Trex is the world’s #1 brand of sustainability‑made, wood‑alternative decking, and deck railing – all proudly manufactured in the USA. As a publicly traded company [NYSE: TREX], we take pride in being the largest recycler of plastic film in the country as well as caring for the communities and the planet where we live. We nurture meaningful connections, from local engagement and investment to eco‑friendly products and sustainable manufacturing processes.

Everything we do is grounded in our values and guided by our beliefs. We are looking for candidates who embody our core values:

• Innovate with Purpose
• Obsess over the Customer
• Own the Outcome
• Operate with Excellence
• Win Together

At Trex, you’ll become part of a diverse yet unified team that sustains the trailblazing spirit and strengths that made Trex the industry leader – learning, adapting, solving and succeeding.

We welcome new ideas and fresh perspectives, and we encourage you to bring your best to help us shape the future of Trex.

CAREER ADVANCEMENT

At Trex, you can take pride in craftsmanship. There’s an art and a science to what we do, and we never stop working to refine and improve. That means no matter how long you’ve been with Trex, you have ongoing opportunities to grow your expertise – enhancing your career, your team and our shared efforts. You will help shape our future.

EOE

Trex is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all employees and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to these or any other characteristics protected by law.

E-VERIFY

Trex participates in E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. E-Verify is a web‑based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their employees. For more information, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.