Field Service Controls & Automation Engineer – Dayton Area, Home Nights

Bright Minds; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Bright Minds is seeking an experienced Controls/Automation Engineer to provide hands-on controls and automation support to industrial customers around the Dayton, OH area. This field role emphasizes daytime travel with home nights and weekends, occasional overnight trips only rarely.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell PLCs, HMIs, and VFDs, strong troubleshooting skills, and the ability to explain technical issues to customers and teammates.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on controls and industrial automation experience, focusing on field troubleshooting and service.
• Strong experience troubleshooting Allen-Bradley/Rockwell PLCs (SLC 500, CompactLogix, ControlLogix).
• Experience with VFDs, AC/DC drives, and industrial safety circuits; PowerFlex/legacy drives preferred.
• Experience troubleshooting and supporting PanelView HMIs.
• Ability to diagnose controls issues across PLCs, drives, electrical systems, and connected equipment to restore operation.
• Servo drives/motion control experience a plus.
• Industrial networking experience preferred.
• Strong customer-facing, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication to explain technical issues to customers.
• Bachelor's or Associate degree in Industrial Controls and Automation, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent hands-on experience).

Responsibilities

• Respond to scheduled and emergency service calls in the field.
• Troubleshoot controls, electrical, and mechanical issues to minimize downtime.
• Perform PLC/HMI troubleshooting, AC/DC drive start-ups, and project start-up support.
• Maintain knowledge of Rockwell Automation platforms and industrial automation technology.
• Communicate project and service status to customers; collaborate with Sales and Automation Specialists on opportunities.

Skills

Field troubleshooting

Customer-facing

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's/Associate in Industrial Controls

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

PanelView HMIs

VFDs/AC drives

PowerFlex

Job description

Bright Minds is seeking an experienced Controls/Automation Engineer to provide hands-on controls and automation support to industrial customers around the Dayton, OH area. This field role emphasizes daytime travel with home nights and weekends, occasional overnight trips only rarely.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell PLCs, HMIs, and VFDs, strong troubleshooting skills, and the ability to explain technical issues to customers and teammates.