Job Information Lead Controls Engineer

PDS Tech Commercial; Holcomb (KS); On-site; USD 124,000 - 207,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401K plan

Paid time off

Holiday pay

Job summary

PDS Tech Commercial is seeking a Lead Controls & Automation Engineer to drive modernization and reliability across a large-scale Holcomb, KS manufacturing facility. You will lead PLC/SCADA initiatives, mentor staff, and partner with Operations and IT to deliver robust automation solutions.

Responsibilities include designing and optimizing control systems, leading upgrades, and ensuring uptime. Onsite role with first/second shifts; competitive hourly pay based on experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Automation, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• 5+ years of controls/automation experience in manufacturing.
• Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting in a production environment.
• Experience with PLC platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Schneider Electric/Modicon, Siemens.
• Experience with SCADA and HMI systems; familiarity with Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP, OPC-UA or Profinet.

Responsibilities

• Lead troubleshooting, programming, commissioning, and optimization of industrial control systems.
• Support and improve PLC-based automation across legacy and modern platforms.
• Diagnose and resolve issues with PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, networks, drives, and field devices.
• Support automated production and material-handling systems including conveyors and motors.
• Configure and maintain SCADA/HMI platforms such as Ignition and iFIX.
• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance and IT to implement automation solutions.

Skills

PLC programming

SCADA/HMI

Industrial networking

Troubleshooting

Root cause analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering / Automation

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Schneider Electric/Modicon PLCs

Siemens PLCs

Ignition SCADA

iFIX SCADA

Job description

Lead Controls & Automation Engineer

Drive Automation. Lead Critical Plant Systems. Make an Immediate Impact.

• Location: Holcomb, KS (Onsite)

• Schedule: Monday-Friday | 1st Shift (6:00 AM-4:00 PM) or 2nd Shift (3:00 PM-12:00 AM)

• Pay Rate: $90-$150/hour (based on experience)

PDS Tech Commercial is seeking a Lead Controls & Automation Engineer to support a leading manufacturing operation in Holcomb, KS. This is a high-impact role for an experienced controls professional who thrives in fast-paced production environments and enjoys solving complex automation challenges.

You’ll serve as a technical leader responsible for PLCs, SCADA systems, industrial networks, vision systems, and plant-floor automation. This role offers the opportunity to influence critical operations, drive modernization projects, and improve equipment reliability across a large-scale manufacturing facility.

What You’ll Do

• Lead troubleshooting, programming, commissioning, and optimization of industrial control systems.

• Support and improve PLC-based automation platforms, including both legacy and modern control systems.

• Diagnose and resolve issues involving PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, industrial networks, drives, scanners, and field devices.

• Support automated production and material-handling systems including conveyors, motors, VFDs, sensors, photo eyes, and control sequencing.

• Configure, maintain, and troubleshoot SCADA/HMI platforms including Ignition and iFIX.

• Support industrial barcode, scanning, and vision systems, including technologies such as Cognex, Keyence, and SICK.

• Perform root-cause analysis and implement long-term corrective actions to improve uptime and reliability.

• Assist with controls upgrades, modernization initiatives, and capital projects.

• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, and IT teams to deliver effective automation solutions.

• Develop and maintain technical documentation, standards, and best practices.

• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers, technicians, and maintenance personnel.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Automation, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related technical field. Equivalent experience will be considered.

• 5+ years of controls engineering, automation engineering, or industrial controls experience.

• Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting experience in a manufacturing environment.

• Experience with Allen-Bradley, Schneider Electric/Modicon, Siemens, or similar PLC platforms.

• Experience with SCADA and HMI systems.

• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols such as Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP, OPC-UA, or Profinet.

• Experience troubleshooting automated production equipment and material-handling systems.

• Strong problem-solving, root-cause analysis, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Schneider Electric/Modicon PLCs.

• Experience with Ignition and/or iFIX SCADA platforms.

• Experience supporting conveyor and material-handling systems.

• Experience with Cognex, Keyence, or SICK vision and scanning technologies.

• SQL database experience.

• Experience leading controls or automation projects from concept through startup.

• Food manufacturing, distribution, logistics, or heavy industrial experience.

Why Join Us

• Play a key role in supporting and improving mission-critical manufacturing operations.

• Work on challenging automation, controls, and modernization projects.

• Gain exposure to advanced PLC, SCADA, vision, and industrial network technologies.

• Collaborate with a highly skilled engineering and operations team.

• Opportunity to make a measurable impact on plant performance, reliability, and continuous improvement.

• Competitive compensation based on experience and expertise.

Pay Details:

$90.00 to $150.00 per hour

Benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, EAP program, commuter benefits and a 401K plan.

• medical
• dental
• vision
• life insurance
• short-term disability
• additional voluntary benefits
• EAP program
• commuter benefits
• 401K plan
• Paid Sick Leave
• Holiday Pay

In addition, our associates may be eligible for paid leave including Paid Sick Leave or any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Military connected talent encouraged to apply

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www.pdstech.com/candidate-privacy

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act

• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance

• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers

• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Massachusetts Candidates Only:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.