Intermediate Controls Engineer

LAPORTE; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Compensatory PTO

Comprehensive benefits

Flexible work environment

Job summary

LAPORTE is seeking an Intermediate Controls Engineer for a hybrid role in Columbus, Ohio. You will design, program, and manage automation projects in pharma and F&B industries, leading control panel and network design and providing hands-on site support.

The ideal candidate has 2–6 years in control systems, experience commissioning, and proficiency with Rockwell Studio 5000 and FactoryTalk View ME/SE. Travel 20–40% is expected depending on project needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelors in chemical, mechanical, electrical engineering or electrical engineering technology.
• 2–6 years of experience in control systems, manufacturing, or consulting-design environments.
• Experience commissioning systems and leading projects.
• Proficiency in design, client coordination, and bid package preparation.
• Hands-on experience with Rockwell software for PLC and FactoryTalk for HMI/SCADA.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the design of automation projects and develop control panel specs.
• Translate processes into construction packages for control panels and electrical scopes.
• Mentor and supervise project team members to improve collaboration.
• Provide lifecycle support including design, troubleshooting, testing, and commissioning.
• Perform site surveys and hands-on support during installation.
• Ensure compliance with UL508A, NEC and related standards.
• Travel 20–40% depending on project needs.

Skills

Control systems

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA

AutoCAD

Rockwell Studio 5000

Electrical design

Education

Bachelors in Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Studio 5000

RSLogix 5000

FactoryTalk View ME/SE

Job description

Intermediate Controls Engineer - Hybrid - Columbus, Ohio

We’re seeking a full-time controls engineer to join our expanding team and contribute to the design, programming, and management of automation projects in the pharmaceutical and food & beverage industries. LAPORTE is a consulting engineering firm which has been in business for 25 years. Today, the company has 25 offices across North America and Europe, and over 480 employees with a passion for engineering. Join us for a competitive salary, compensatory PTO, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive work environment that emphasizes professional growth. We believe in a flexible working environment that values work-life balance while encouraging efficiency and creativity on a daily basis.

The Controls Engineer will:

• Lead and support the design of automation projects, developing specifications for control panels, networks, and software (primarily Allen-Bradley PLC/PACs and Factorytalk View ME/SE HMI and SCADA).
• Translate process or packaging applications into detailed construction packages for control panel designs and electrical installation scopes. Construction packages typical include equipment arrangement drawings, schematics, wiring diagrams, cable schedules, control panel drawings, etc.
• Mentor and supervise project team members, enhancing team collaboration and project execution.
• Provide comprehensive lifecycle support for projects, including system design, troubleshooting, testing, and commissioning.
• Perform site surveys and offer hands‑on support during installation, focusing on control system deployment.
• Adhere to and ensure compliance with relevant codes (UL508A, NEC) and standards.
• Engage in diverse projects, enhancing your engineering and project management skills.
• Travel expectations are dependent on specific project requirements by typically require 1-3 days for an initial site visit and then a return trip to lead commissioning efforts which may take 1-4 weeks. Overall travel is anticipated to be 20-40%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Electrical Engineering Technology.
• 2-6 years of experience in control systems, manufacturing, or consulting-design environments including experience commissioning systems, preferably as a lead.
• Proficient in automation project tasks including design, client coordination, and bid package preparation.
• Skilled in control panel and network design, instrument selection, and control system programming.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD for control panel design and electrical construction packages.
• Familiarity / Experience with electrical engineering construction packages – single line diagrams, panel schedules, power plans, etc.
• Hands‑on experience surveying existing control installations and preparing as-built conditions of systems.
• Experience surveying and planning control systems projects without support of a manager.
• Hands‑on experience with Rockwell Automation software—Studio 5000 / RSLogix 5000 for PLC programming and FactoryTalk View ME / SE for HMI and SCADA development.