Controls Engineer II: PLC/HMI Expert for Onsite Systems

PTS Advance; Hanover (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

PTS Advance in Hanover, MD is seeking a Controls Engineer II to design, program, test, and troubleshoot PLC and HMI-based control systems for complex electrical and industrial projects.

This hands-on, individual contributor role requires 4+ years of automation experience, strong debugging skills, and the ability to support customers from requirements through commissioning and field deployment, with up to significant travel.

Qualifications

• 4+ years hands-on controls engineering or industrial programming experience.
• Ability to independently develop PLC programs from scratch.
• Strong HMI programming and configuration experience.
• Experience commissioning and troubleshooting industrial control systems.
• Knowledge of Modbus and Ethernet-based networks.
• Experience integrating controls with third-party equipment and customer systems.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics and controls documentation.
• Strong customer-facing communication and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to travel extensively during ramp-up.

Responsibilities

• Independently design, develop, program, test, and troubleshoot PLC and HMI-based control systems.
• Develop PLC programs from customer specifications and system requirements.
• Support the full controls lifecycle from requirements through FAT, startup, commissioning, and field troubleshooting.
• Review customer specs, control narratives, electrical schematics, and documentation.
• Integrate controls with customer systems and multiple vendor platforms.
• Configure and troubleshoot industrial communications (Modbus, Ethernet).
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, and field service teams.
• Provide hands-on controls support during manufacturing, testing, installation, and commissioning.
• Serve as technical point of contact for customers during projects.
• Develop technical documentation, training materials, procedures, and work instructions.
• Travel to company and customer facilities for project execution.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

Troubleshooting

Industrial networks

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Controls Engineering or related

Tools

Modbus

Ethernet networks

SCADA/automation environments

Job description

PTS Advance in Hanover, MD is seeking a Controls Engineer II to design, program, test, and troubleshoot PLC and HMI-based control systems for complex electrical and industrial projects.

This hands-on, individual contributor role requires 4+ years of automation experience, strong debugging skills, and the ability to support customers from requirements through commissioning and field deployment, with up to significant travel.