Controls Engineer Technician

Itape; South Carolina; On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Itape is seeking a Controls Engineer to lead PLC programming and automation at our Blythewood, SC facility. This on-site role emphasizes safety, uptime, and reliability to improve manufacturing performance.

You will maintain and troubleshoot Allen-Bradley and Siemens PLCs, support VFDs and motor controls, and drive continuous improvements. A 3+ year manufacturing background and a degree in Electrical Engineering are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of controls, automation, or electrical engineering experience in manufacturing.
• Experience programming and troubleshooting Allen-Bradley and/or Siemens PLCs.
• Experience with VFDs, servo drives, motor starters, relays, contactors.
• Experience with electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and control drawings.
• Knowledge of EtherNet/IP, Profinet, and Modbus is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the site's primary Controls Engineer and technical owner for PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, and automation systems.
• Troubleshoot and optimize Allen-Bradley and Siemens PLC programs for safe and reliable plant operations.
• Lead automation and control projects from concept through implementation.
• Develop PLC backups, electrical drawings, and control documentation.
• Interface with operations, maintenance, contractors, and vendors to meet plant objectives.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and electrical codes.

Skills

Controls engineering

PLC programming

Electrical systems

Troubleshooting

HMI/SCADA

AutoCAD Electrical

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Related engineering discipline

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC

Siemens PLC

VFDs/ servo drives

FactoryTalk

EPLAN

Job description

Position Description

Title: Controls Engineer

Department: Engineering

Immediate Supervisor: Engineering Manager

Status: SalariedExempt

Location: On-Site in our Blythewood, SC Facility

Position Purpose: Serve as the site's primary Controls Engineer responsible for PLC programming, automation systems, industrial controls, and electrical troubleshooting. Lead controls improvements and automation projects to improve safety, reliability, uptime, and manufacturing performance.

Principle Accountabilities

• Serve as the site's primary Controls Engineer and technical owner for PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, and automation systems
• Maintain, troubleshoot, modify, and optimize Allen-Bradley and/or Siemens PLC programs to support safe and reliable plant operations.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts for control system failures and implement corrective actions to improve equipment uptime and performance
• Program, commission, and troubleshoot Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), servo systems, motor controls, relays, contactors, and associated automation equipment
• Manage and improve plant control systems, ensuring hardware, software, and network infrastructure remain current and reliable.
• Support and lead automation, controls, and capital improvement projects from concept through implementation.
• Develop and maintain PLC backups, electrical drawings, control narratives, network documentation, and technical procedures
• Analyze production and downtime data to identify opportunities for process improvements, increased reliability, and reduced operating costs
• Provide technical support and training to operations and maintenance teams regarding controls systems and troubleshooting techniques.
• Support predictive and preventive maintenance initiatives related to automation and electrical control systems.
• Interface directly with operators, maintenance personnel, contractors, and vendors to support plant objectives and project execution.
• Ensure all automation and electrical systems comply with plant safety standards and applicable electrical codes.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, throughput, reliability, and cost reduction.
• Support industrial power distribution systems, including 3-phase power, transformers, breakers, MCCs, and control panels.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related engineering field, or relevant Engineering discipline
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related field. Equivalent experience may be considered.
• 3+ years of controls, automation, or electrical engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience programming and troubleshooting Allen-Bradley and/or Siemens PLCs.
• Experience with VFDs, servo drives, motor starters, relays, contactors, and other industrial control equipment.
• Understanding of industrial electrical systems, including 3-phase power, transformers, breakers, and MCCs.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and control drawings.
• Experience with sensors and instrumentation such as proximity sensors, photo eyes, encoders, RTDs, thermocouples, and pressure transmitters.
• Knowledge of industrial communication networks such as EtherNet/IP, Profinet, and Modbus.
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills.
• Experience maintaining PLC programs, backups, and control system documentation.
• Experience with HMI and SCADA platforms such as FactoryTalk, Ignition, Wonderware, or Siemens WinCC.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar software is preferred.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office