Industrial Automation Controls Engineer

TekPro Engineering; Elgin (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

TekPro Engineering seeks an Industrial Automation Controls Engineer to own controls projects from concept through testing, commissioning, and startup, working closely with mechanical engineering and manufacturing in a low-travel environment.

You’ll build ladder logic or structured text for Allen‑Bradley Studio 5000 or Siemens TIA Portal, design HMIs, and integrate PLCs, HMIs, sensors, motors, and VFDs on diverse equipment.

Qualifications

• Hands-on programming of PLCs on AB and Siemens platforms.
• HMI development for automated equipment focusing on clear workflows and diagnostics.
• Strong understanding of electrical controls, schematics, sensors, motors, drives, and related hardware.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot automated machinery or industrial equipment.
• Ability to independently manage controls scope while collaborating within a larger engineering team.

Responsibilities

• Create, test, and troubleshoot PLC control logic on Allen‑Bradley and/or Siemens platforms.
• Design and configure HMIs for automated equipment with clear workflows and diagnostics.
• Draft and revise electrical controls and schematics; maintain system documentation.
• Integrate PLCs, HMIs, sensors, motors, drives, and related components into cohesive systems.
• Diagnose electrical and controls issues during build, test, and startup; drive timely resolutions.
• Partner closely with mechanical engineering and manufacturing throughout development.
• Support equipment testing, commissioning, installation, and customer startup.
• Provide field and remote technical support on controls-related issues.
• Travel approximately 10–15% for installation, startup, and customer support.

Skills

PLC programming (Allen-Bradley/Siemens

HMI development

Electrical controls & schematics

Troubleshooting

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s in Electrical/Controls/Automation Engineering

Tools

Studio 5000 (Allen-Bradley)

TIA Portal (Siemens)

Job description

Job Description

Job DescriptionIndustrial Automation Controls Engineer About the role

Our partner is a well-established manufacturer of custom automated machinery seeking a Controls Engineer who will take full ownership of controls projects—from concept and programming through testing, commissioning, and startup. You’ll collaborate tightly with mechanical engineering and manufacturing while staying hands-on with advanced automation in a low-travel environment.

A day in the life

Start your day aligning with mechanical design on motion sequences and safety I/O. Move into building ladder logic or structured text in Allen‑Bradley Studio 5000 or Siemens TIA Portal, then design intuitive HMI screens. On the floor, you’ll integrate PLCs, HMIs, sensors, motors, and VFDs; bring up panels; validate I/O; and debug issues during machine build, FAT, and startup—capturing updates in clear electrical schematics and documentation. A few times each quarter, you’ll travel (about 10–15%) to install, commission, and start up equipment, and you’ll provide remote and onsite support as needed.

What you’ll tackle

• Create, test, and troubleshoot PLC control logic on Allen‑Bradley and/or Siemens platforms.
• Design and configure HMIs for automated equipment, emphasizing clear workflows and diagnostics.
• Draft and revise electrical controls and schematics; maintain system documentation.
• Integrate PLCs, HMIs, sensors, motors, drives, and related industrial components into cohesive systems.
• Diagnose electrical and controls issues during build, test, and startup; drive timely resolutions.
• Partner closely with mechanical engineering and manufacturing throughout development.
• Support equipment testing, commissioning, installation, and customer startup.
• Provide field and remote technical support on controls-related issues.
• Travel approximately 10–15% for installation, startup, and customer support.

What you bring

• Hands‑on programming experience with Allen‑Bradley and/or Siemens PLCs.
• HMI development background and familiarity with industrial automation environments.
• Solid grasp of electrical controls, schematics, sensors, motors, VFDs, and associated hardware.
• Proven troubleshooting skills on automated machinery or industrial equipment.
• Ability to independently manage controls scope while collaborating within a broader engineering team.
• Bachelor’s in Electrical, Controls, Automation Engineering, or a related field preferred.

Why you’ll like it here

• End-to-end ownership on custom automated machinery with significant technical variety.
• See your work through programming, testing, debugging, and startup.
• Limited travel (about 10–15%)—no heavy road schedule.
• High visibility within an engineering organization that values technical leadership.
• Modern Allen‑Bradley and Siemens ecosystems.
• Join an established company actively investing in engineering and automation.

Proficiencies

• PLC troubleshooting
• Electrical schematics
• Troubleshooting industrial automation equipment
• PLC programming
• HMI development

Machines & technologies you’ll use

• Variable Frequency Drives (VFD)
• Programmable Logic Controllers (Allen‑Bradley, Siemens)