Field Service Specialist

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

Salary Range: $90,000 - $125, 000+ (Higher compensation is avavilabe for very experienced candidates)

***This is a Field Service Controls & Automation Engineering role supporting manufacturing clients throughout the I-75 corridor and surrounding areas.***

***This is NOT an overnight or extended-travel role. This position provides controls and automation engineering service support to manufacturing clients throughout Southwest and Central Ohio, with travel primarily occurring during the workday. You will typically be home nights and weekends. Occasional overnight travel may be required, but is rare and generally limited to only a few trips per year.***

Bright Minds is searching for an experienced Controls/Automation Engineer to provide hands‑on controls and automation support to industrial customers around the Dayton, OH area. This position is ideal for a technically strong field professional with 5+ years of experience supporting Rockwell Automation PLCs, HMIs, and AC/DC drives who enjoys troubleshooting complex equipment and working directly with customers.

In this role, you'll spend your time in the field responding to both scheduled and emergency service calls; troubleshooting controls, electrical, and mechanical issues to help customers minimize downtime and keep equipment running. You'll also perform PLC/HMI troubleshooting, AC/DC drive start-ups, Installed Base Evaluations, and project start-up support, while maintaining strong knowledge of Rockwell Automation platforms and industrial automation technology. Controls/Automation Engineers work directly with customers to diagnose problems and recommend solutions while partnering with sales and Automation Specialists on new opportunities and communicating project and service status throughout each engagement.

Requirements for the Controls/Automation Engineer:

• 5+ years of hands‑on controls and industrial automation experience, with a strong focus on field troubleshooting and service
• Strong experience troubleshooting Allen-Bradley/Rockwell PLCs, including SLC 500, CompactLogix, and ControlLogix
• Strong experience troubleshooting Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), AC/DC drives, and industrial safety circuits; PowerFlex and legacy Allen-Bradley drive experience preferred
• Experience troubleshooting and supporting PanelView HMIs
• Ability to diagnose controls issues across PLCs, drives, electrical systems, and connected equipment to identify root cause and restore operation
• Experience with servo drives and motion control is a plus, but not required
• Experience with industrial networking preferred
• Strong customer-facing, interpersonal, and problem‑solving skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to explain technical issues to customers
• Bachelor's or Associate degree in Industrial Controls and Automation, Engineering, or a related technical field, OR equivalent hands‑on controls and automation experience with relevant technical certifications

For immediate consideration, please send updated MS Word resume to: [e-mail]