Controls Engineer II

Tool & Design, Inc.; Ohio; On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Tool & Design, Inc. in Ohio is seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to design, program, and support industrial automation systems for custom machinery.

This hands-on role involves PLC and HMI development, system integration, on-site commissioning, and collaboration with mechanical engineers, electricians, and customers. You will design control architectures, develop electrical schematics, and ensure robust, well-documented solutions while troubleshooting complex systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 3–5+ years of experience in industrial automation or machine controls.
• Strong PLC programming experience (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or equivalent).
• Experience with HMI and VFDs development and industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, etc.).
• Understanding of electrical control systems, sensors, actuators, and safety circuits.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, and debug PLC, HMI, and motion control systems for custom automated equipment.
• Develop electrical control architectures, including I/O layouts, network configurations, and safety systems.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support machine startup, debugging, and commissioning on-site and in-house.
• Interface with customers to understand requirements and provide technical support.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI development

VFDs development

Electrical schematics reading

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Rockwell control systems

Mitsubishi control systems

Omron control system

Job description

Position Summary: We are seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to design, engineer, program, and support industrial automation systems for custom machinery. This role is hands-on and project-driven, involving PLC and HMI development, system integration, on-site commissioning, and collaboration with mechanical engineers, electricians, and customers. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced custom automation environment and takes pride in delivering robust, well-documented control solutions, along with proven trouble shooting skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, program, and debug PLC, HMI, and motion control systems for custom automated equipment
• Develop electrical control architectures, including I/O layouts, network configurations, and safety systems
• Collaborate with mechanical engineering, electrical assembly, and manufacturing teams throughout the project lifecycle
• Support machine startup, debugging, and commissioning both in-house and at customer sites
• Interface with customers to understand requirements, provide technical support, and ensure successful system integration
• Create and maintain clear documentation, including control narratives, software standards, and electrical schematics
• Troubleshoot existing automation systems and implement improvements or upgrades
• Ensure compliance with applicable electrical, safety, and industry standards

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 3-5+ years of experience in industrial automation or machine controls
• Strong PLC programming experience (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or equivalent platforms)
• Experience with HMI and VFDs development and industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, etc.)
• Solid understanding of electrical control systems, sensors, actuators, and safety circuits
• Generate system map layouts, generating a sequence of operations, reviewing cycle time studied and generation of design packages, design logic, and the design of Smart Displays.
• Material responsibilities include, advance material order, specifying material and panel material
• Ability to troubleshoot complex systems independently and under time constraints
• Willingness to travel for customer site visits and machine commissioning as needed
• A valid US driver’s license

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience with Rockwell or Mitsubishi control systems
• Experience with robotic systems
• Omron control system – experience is appreciated
• Ability to read electrical schematics

Only U.S. Citizens or Aliens who verify legal authorization to work in the U.S. are eligible for employment. Are you a Citizen or are you otherwise authorized to work in the U.S.? *