Industrial Automation Controls Engineer (PLC/HMI)

Cad Engineering Resources Inc; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 51,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Cad Engineering Resources Inc. is seeking an Industrial Automation Controls Engineer for a direct-hire role in Louisville, KY.

The position covers a 2:00 pm – 10:30 pm second shift, focusing on controls integrity, diagnostics, and ongoing documentation to keep production lines healthy and efficient. The candidate will work with maintenance to install and validate control equipment, develop PLC/robot/Panel View programming, and drive continuous improvements in uptime and quality.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years as electronic engineer, electrician, or similar role.
• 3–5 years within the automotive industry.
• Special knowledge of electronic design systems.
• Proficiency programming and interfacing Allen Bradley drives and control systems.
• Knowledge of hydraulic and pneumatic systems as they relate to controls.
• Hands-on experience with Allen Bradley PLC programming.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and correct electrical and mechanical issues across production equipment.
• Partner with maintenance to install new electronic/electrical control equipment and bring it online safely and efficiently.
• Create engineering specifications for electrical control systems and equipment modifications.
• Provide technical support to maintenance; plan, direct, and record periodic electrical analysis on production equipment.
• Develop and support programming for PLCs, robots, and Panel Views to maximize quality and throughput.
• Define electrical spare parts inventory for both new and legacy equipment to maximize machine utilization.
• Keep electrical drawings and schematics current for all production and plant assets; maintain master backups for all machine programs.
• Source and introduce cost-effective replacements for electrical control components.
• Train maintenance staff on machine controls, motor controllers, and effective troubleshooting methods.
• Identify and implement cost-effective upgrades for equipment and facilities.

Skills

PLC programming

Electrical design

Automation systems

Allen Bradley controls

Tools

Siemens PLCs

Allen Bradley PLCs

Job description

Role Snapshot

Join our Louisville, KY team as an Industrial Automation Controls Engineer on a direct-hire basis. You’ll be the go-to expert on a 2:00 pm – 10:30 pm second shift, keeping complex production systems healthy, optimized, and documented. Compensation up to $85,000 annually (based on proven work history).

A Day in the Life

As the plant transitions into the afternoon run, you’ll take ownership of controls integrity across the floor—diving into diagnostics, refining logic, and partnering with maintenance to keep uptime high and quality consistent.

• Diagnose and correct electrical and mechanical issues across production equipment.
• Partner with maintenance to install new electronic/electrical control equipment and bring it online safely and efficiently.
• Create engineering specifications for electrical control systems and equipment modifications.
• Provide technical support to maintenance; plan, direct, and record periodic electrical analysis on production equipment.
• Recommend and drive equipment modifications or replacements that do not meet operating standards.
• Train maintenance staff on machine controls, motor controllers, and effective troubleshooting methods.
• Identify and implement cost-effective upgrades for equipment and facilities.
• Source and introduce the most cost-effective replacements for electrical control components.
• Keep electrical drawings and schematics current for all production and plant assets; maintain master backups for all machine programs.
• Define electrical spare parts inventory for both new and legacy equipment to maximize machine utilization.
• Develop and support programming for PLCs, robots, and Panel Views to maximize quality and throughput.

Additional Impact

• Support other company facilities as needed.
• Maintain and advocate for corporate programming standards.
• Elevate HMI usability and operator experience.
• Implement targeted quality improvements.

What You Bring

• 3–5 years as an electronic engineer, electrician, or similar role.
• 3–5 years within the automotive industry.
• Willingness to travel and work at customer sites, including industrial manufacturing plants that may require climbing, lifting, or working in confined spaces.
• Special knowledge of electronic design systems.
• Proficiency programming and interfacing Allen Bradley drives and control systems.
• Knowledge of hydraulic and pneumatic systems as they relate to controls.
• Hands‑on experience with Allen Bradley PLC programming.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced-level Allen Bradley PLC programming skills.
• Ability to program Siemens PLC's.
• Working knowledge of mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems as they relate to controls.
• Advanced HMI design and layout for optimal operator experience.
• Proven integration, programming, troubleshooting, and optimization of industrial vision sensors and machine vision systems in manufacturing.
• Experience implementing and supporting Industry 4.0 technologies: connected devices, data acquisition systems, automation, and real‑time manufacturing analytics.
• Working knowledge of MES (integration, production data collection, traceability, quality management, and operational reporting).
• Experience using manufacturing data to drive process improvements, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement.

Essential Common Requirements

• Quality System: Understand, apply, and meet all function‑related Quality requirements.
• Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS): Understand, apply, and meet all function‑related EHS requirements.
• Product Safety: Understand, apply, and meet all function‑related Product Safety requirements.
• Compliance: Understand, apply, and meet all function‑related Compliance requirements.
• Information Security: Understand, apply, and meet all function‑related IT / Information Security and confidentiality of YFAI information requirements.
• Adhere to all company policies and procedures.
• Ability to work additional hours and/or overtime as needed to complete duties on time.
• Multitask effectively; interact professionally with customers, suppliers, and vendors; collaborate across all organizational levels.
• Maintain predictable, regular attendance; arrive on time and be ready to work at the assigned location (plant, corporate office, or remote).

Compensation & Schedule

• Direct-hire, Louisville, KY
• 2nd Shift: 2:00 pm – 10:30 pm
• Pay Rate: Up to $85k annually (based on proven work history)

Background Check

A successful candidate will be subject to a background check and must receive satisfactory results of the same, as a condition of joining the team.

Application Integrity

By applying for this role, you confirm that all information submitted is accurate and complete. You further acknowledge that providing false or fraudulent information during the application process is cause for denial of an offer, revocation of any existing offer, or other adverse action, up to and including termination after the start of your commencement of work.