Controls Engineer | PLC

ITAC; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance

Life Insurance

Short & Long-Term Disability

Paid Holidays

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

ITAC in Richmond, VA is seeking a full-time Controls Engineer to support a manufacturing client with design, implementation, and maintenance of automated control systems. You will troubleshoot PLC-based controls, develop HMI/SCADA solutions, and improve reliability on active production lines.

The ideal candidate has 5–10 years of experience in industrial controls, hands-on Rockwell Allen-Bradley PLCs, Siemens S7, and IEC standards, plus experience with PanelView or Ignition.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5–10 years of experience in industrial controls or electrical engineering in manufacturing.
• Hands-on programming, troubleshooting, and maintenance of Rockwell Allen-Bradley PLCs.
• Experience developing and modifying PLC ladder logic and supporting automation systems.
• Working knowledge of HMI, SCADA, and industrial networking technologies.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, schematics, and automation documentation.
• Familiarity with Ethernet/IP, Modbus, Profibus, or Profinet protocols.
• Experience with PanelView, Ignition, or other HMI platforms.
• Experience with Siemens S7 PLC platforms.

Responsibilities

• Program, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain Rockwell Allen-Bradley PLCs and related systems.
• Develop, modify, and optimize PLC ladder logic and control strategies.
• Design, support, and troubleshoot HMI/SCADA applications for processes.
• Diagnose and resolve control system, instrumentation, and networking issues.
• Maintain engineering documentation and backups.
• Create I/O lists, diagrams, panel layouts, and equipment specifications.
• Support MCCs, VFDs, and electrical distribution upgrades.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.

Skills

Industrial controls

PLC programming

Electrical engineering

Process improvement

Team collaboration

Tools

Rockwell Allen-Bradley PLCs

HMI/SCADA platforms

Electrical drawings & schematics

Siemens S7 PLCs

Job description

Job Description ITAC serves Process & Industrial clients with integrated engineering and construction services for complex capital projects. We also offer specialty services including power systems services and products, custom machine fabrication, and fall protection services and equipment. From humble beginnings to an ENR-Ranked Top Design Firm with a nationwide footprint and over 500 employees operating from 6 offices in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, we provide Fortune 500 companies with innovative design-build solutions. We specialize in power generation & utilities, chemicals, food & beverage, forest products, advanced manufacturing, and minerals & metals.

Through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and Direct Stock Ownership, every team member has the unique opportunity to be an owner who shares in the company’s growth and earnings. If the thought of challenging, fast-paced projects excites you, then you’ve come to the right place. This is a seconded position, meaning the selected candidate will be employed by ITAC but work full-time on assignment with one of our clients. While day-to-day responsibilities will be managed on-site with the client, ITAC provides ongoing support, resources, and benefits as your employer. This position is full time contract work anticipated to last for twelve (12) months with possibility for extension and requires the employee to work onsite at the client’s Richmond, VA location.

Objective

We are seeking a full-time Controls Engineer to support an industrial manufacturing client through the design, implementation, optimization, and maintenance of automated control systems and electrical infrastructure. This role will be responsible for troubleshooting and improving PLC-based control systems, supporting automation projects, developing engineering documentation, and driving operational reliability initiatives within active manufacturing environments. The ideal candidate will possess strong experience with industrial controls, automation technologies, electrical systems, and process improvement while collaborating with operations, maintenance, engineering teams, and project stakeholders to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient manufacturing solutions.

Responsibilities

• Program, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain Rockwell Allen-Bradley PLCs and associated control systems.
• Develop, modify, and optimize PLC ladder logic, control strategies, and automation solutions.
• Design, support, and troubleshoot HMI and SCADA applications for industrial processes.
• Diagnose and resolve control system, instrumentation, communications, and automation issues to improve system performance and reliability.
• Maintain automation software backups, configuration management systems, and engineering documentation.
• Develop electrical and controls engineering documentation including I/O lists, loop diagrams, power distribution drawings, panel schedules, control panel layouts, and equipment specifications.
• Interpret and work from P&IDs, process flow documentation, equipment lists, and electrical schematics.
• Support the specification, installation, and modernization of motor control centers (MCCs), variable frequency drives (VFDs), industrial control panels, and electrical distribution systems.
• Perform root cause analysis on equipment and process failures and implement corrective actions.
• Analyze operational and equipment performance data to improve reliability, productivity, and process efficiency.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, contractors, vendors, and multidisciplinary engineering teams to implement automation and process improvements.
• Support project planning, execution, commissioning, testing, startup activities, and field verification efforts.
• Monitor project progress and ensure technical deliverables meet quality, safety, and operational requirements.
• Participate in continuous improvement, reliability, and maintenance initiatives, including planned outages and shutdown activities.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5-10 years of experience in industrial controls, automation, or electrical engineering within a manufacturing or process environment.
• Hands-on experience programming, troubleshooting, and maintaining Rockwell Allen-Bradley PLC systems.
• Experience developing and modifying PLC ladder logic and supporting industrial automation systems.
• Working knowledge of HMI, SCADA, and industrial networking technologies.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, schematics, control narratives, and industrial automation documentation.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols including Ethernet/IP, Modbus, Profibus, or Profinet.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to work safely and effectively in both office and industrial plant environments.
• Rockwell PLC Maintenance Certification or equivalent Allen-Bradley certification.
• Experience with Siemens S7 PLC platforms.
• Experience With PanelView, Ignition, Or Other HMI Platforms.
• Background supporting liquid process manufacturing environments, including food & beverage or other continuous process industries.
• Experience supporting control system upgrades, equipment installations, and automation modernization projects.
• Strong knowledge of instrumentation, process controls, and reliability improvement methodologies.
• Continuous improvement or manufacturing reliability experience.

From internships to seasoned professionals, our growing company provides career opportunities for all levels of experience. For life’s challenges, we also provide our employees and their immediate families with certified chaplains for around-the-clock encouragement and support.

Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance

• ~Life Insurance
• ~ Short & Long-Term Disability
• ~ Paid Holidays
• ~ Employee Assistance Program
• ~