Industrial Automation Controls Engineer – Lead Projects

Saint-Gobain Group; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 92,000 - 142,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Health benefits

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Saint-Gobain Group in Fremont, CA, seeks an Automation Controls Engineer to lead electrical, controls, and automation projects from design through commissioning. You will troubleshoot, improve reliability, and drive continuous improvements for production processes and equipment.

You will design, program, and maintain PLCs/HMIs, participate in safety and process improvements, and coordinate with contractors to ensure scope and budget adherence, with after-hours support as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, controls engineering, automation engineering, mechanical engineering, or related field.
• 3–5 years of engineering experience in continuous/high-volume manufacturing preferred.
• Experience with PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servo systems, industrial Ethernet, power distribution, instrumentation, and integrated electrical systems.
• Knowledge of electro-mechanical systems, machine controls, reliability, and structured troubleshooting.
• Experience managing capital/maintenance projects, contractors, budgets, schedules, and commissioning.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and AutoCAD or similar drafting software.
• Strong project-management, organizational, communication, and documentation skills.
• Knowledge of 5S and continuous improvement methods.
• Knowledge of federal/state safety requirements and electrical standards.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and collaborate cross-functionally.
• Preferred: Rockwell Automation or similar controls platforms, panel design, machine-safety circuits, OT cybersecurity, commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, budgeting, scheduling, execution, commissioning, and closeout of capital and expense projects.
• Identify opportunities to improve safety, product quality, reliability, efficiency, and waste performance.
• Design, program, maintain, and troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servo systems, industrial networks, instrumentation, and control systems.
• Diagnose equipment failures, perform root-cause analysis, and implement improvements.
• Develop electrical schematics, CAD drawings, BOMs, specs, procedures, and training materials.
• Coordinate contractors and vendors to meet safety, scope, schedule, and budget.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, process, quality, and EHS teams to resolve issues.
• Provide technical guidance and training to plant staff.
• Support after-hours troubleshooting and commissioning activities.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI design

VFDs

Industrial networks

Electrical troubleshooting

Project management

Technical documentation

5S/Lean

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Controls/Automation

Tools

AutoCAD

Rockwell Automation

Job description

Saint-Gobain Group in Fremont, CA, seeks an Automation Controls Engineer to lead electrical, controls, and automation projects from design through commissioning. You will troubleshoot, improve reliability, and drive continuous improvements for production processes and equipment.

You will design, program, and maintain PLCs/HMIs, participate in safety and process improvements, and coordinate with contractors to ensure scope and budget adherence, with after-hours support as needed.