Controls Engineer - MES

northpointtechnology; United States; Remote; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Northpoint Technology is seeking a skilled Automation Engineer to support and improve manufacturing execution systems that connect production workflows with plant-floor controls. You will focus on MES-to-PLC integration, reliable production execution, and accurate operational data in a high-volume environment.

Responsibilities include configuring MES-PLC communications, updating PLC tags, troubleshooting PLC/HMI networks, and collaborating with process engineers, operators, and MES teams to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related discipline.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell and Siemens PLC/HMI.
• Strong PLC programming, diagnostics, and troubleshooting.
• Background supporting manufacturing automation and industrial control systems.

Responsibilities

• Configure and maintain MES-PLC communications.
• Create and update PLC tags and logic for MES transactions.
• Troubleshoot PLC, HMI, and industrial networks.
• Partner with process engineering, MES teams, operators, and production supervisors to resolve workflow and throughput issues.
• Support production data accuracy, MES-based quality checks, and manufacturing investigations.
• Document changes and troubleshooting, and assist with system enhancements, upgrades, launches, and process improvements.

Skills

PLC programming

Diagnostics

Troubleshooting

MES integration

Industrial networking

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical discipline

Tools

Allen-Bradley/Rockwell

Siemens PLC & HMI

Job description

Role overview

Support and improve manufacturing execution systems that connect production workflows with plant-floor controls. The work centers on MES-to-PLC integration, reliable production execution, and accurate operational data in a high-volume discrete manufacturing environment, from system launches through ongoing operations.

Responsibilities

• Configure and maintain communications between MES and PLC systems, including integration of MES routines and user-defined data types into PLC programs.
• Create and update PLC tags and logic used for MES transactions and production reporting.
• Troubleshoot PLC, HMI, and industrial network issues that disrupt manufacturing execution.
• Partner with process engineering, MES teams, operators, and production supervisors to resolve workflow and throughput issues.
• Support production data accuracy, MES-based quality checks, part and product-structure records, and manufacturing investigations.
• Document changes and troubleshooting, and assist with system enhancements, upgrades, launches, and process improvements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, automation, manufacturing, electrical or computer engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell and Siemens PLC and HMI platforms.
• Strong PLC programming, diagnostics, and troubleshooting skills.
• Background supporting manufacturing automation and industrial control systems.
• Knowledge of industrial networking and plant-floor communication protocols.
• Ability to investigate complex integration and production issues and communicate clearly with engineering and operations teams.

Nice to have

• Production experience with MES, including integration across ERP, MES, and PLC systems.
• Familiarity with discrete manufacturing, production reporting, data collection, and quality systems.
• Experience with launches, upgrades, continuous improvement, or manufacturing process optimization.