Controls Systems Engineer - Industrial Automation & PLCs

Certified Industrial Partners; Oak Forest (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Panatrol, an industrial controls integrator based in the Chicago area, seeks a Controls Systems Engineer to design and support engineered systems from kickoff through closeout. You will review specs, support panel and network design, and assist with PLC/HMI/drive programming and testing.

Responsibilities include preparing schematics and BOMs, troubleshooting relay logic, coordinating with vendors, and traveling as needed to job sites across the continental US.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field preferred; or equivalent experience.
• 1–5 years of related experience in electrical controls engineering, industrial automation, or similar work.
• Experience with PLC programming and troubleshooting (Rockwell/AB).
• Ability to read customer specifications, vendor manuals, and electrical schematics.

Responsibilities

• Review specs, drawings, RFIs, submittals to verify technical obligations and identify gaps.
• Support design of control systems including panels, motor controls, PLC I/O, HMI, VFDs, instrumentation, and networks.
• Prepare and revise schematics, BOMs, wiring diagrams, I/O drawings, and related hardware docs.
• Develop and troubleshoot relay-control circuits and hardwired logic.
• Support PLC, HMI, and drive programming, including testing and alarm mapping.
• Assist with VFD setup and PLC/HMI communications.
• Prepare test procedures for shop, FAT, and startup verification.
• Compile project documentation and provide technical support to teams.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

VFD setup

Electrical schematics

AutoCAD Electrical

Rockwell/Allen-Bradley

Motor controls

Power distribution

Reading drawings/specs

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

EPLAN

Job description

Panatrol, an industrial controls integrator based in the Chicago area, seeks a Controls Systems Engineer to design and support engineered systems from kickoff through closeout. You will review specs, support panel and network design, and assist with PLC/HMI/drive programming and testing.

Responsibilities include preparing schematics and BOMs, troubleshooting relay logic, coordinating with vendors, and traveling as needed to job sites across the continental US.