Junior Controls Engineer

LAPORTE L.C.C.; Columbus (PA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits

Flexible working environment

Supports professional growth

Job summary

A consulting engineering firm is seeking a full-time Junior Controls Engineer to join their expanding team in Columbus, Pennsylvania. The role involves supporting automation projects in the pharmaceutical and food & beverage industries. Responsibilities include aiding in the design and implementation of control systems, collaborating with senior engineers, and gaining hands-on experience during installations. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree in engineering and a willingness to learn about automation technologies. A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• 0–2 years of experience in control systems, automation, or related environments.
• Willingness to learn and assist with field surveys.
• Exposure to electrical engineering construction packages is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Support the design and implementation of automation projects.
• Collaborate with senior engineers to ensure successful execution.
• Participate in site surveys and provide hands-on installation support.

Skills

Understanding of automation concepts

Instrumentation knowledge

Control system fundamentals

AutoCAD experience

Field survey capability

Interest in Rockwell Automation software

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Engineering Technology

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

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 Junior Controls Engineer will:

• Support the design and implementation of automation projects, assisting in the development of specifications for control panels, networks, and software (primarily Allen‑Bradley PLC/PACs and FactoryTalk View ME/SE HMI and SCADA).
• Contribute to translating process or packaging applications into construction packages for control panel designs and electrical installation scopes. Typical documents may include equipment arrangement drawings, schematics, wiring diagrams, cable schedules, and control panel drawings.
• Collaborate with senior engineers and project team members to ensure successful project execution and timely delivery.
• Assist with project lifecycle activities, including system design, troubleshooting, testing, and commissioning under the guidance of more experienced engineers.
• Participate in site surveys and provide hands‑on support during installation and commissioning, focusing on learning control system deployment best practices.
• Maintain compliance with relevant codes (UL508A, NEC) and standards as part of project work.
• Gain exposure to a wide range of projects that will help build engineering, technical, and project coordination skills.
• Expect travel based on specific project needs—typically accompanying senior engineers for initial site visits (1–3 days) and commissioning trips (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.
• 0–2 years of experience in control systems, manufacturing, automation, or a related engineering environment (internships and co‑op experience welcome).
• Foundational understanding of automation concepts, instrumentation, and control system components.
• Familiarity with control panel design, network basics, and control system programming is preferred.
• Experience or coursework using AutoCAD is a plus.
• Exposure to electrical engineering construction packages (e.g., single‑line diagrams, panel schedules, wiring diagrams) is beneficial.
• Willingness to perform field surveys of existing control installations and assist with preparing as‑built documentation.
• Interest in learning Rockwell Automation software—including Studio 5000 / RSLogix 5000 for PLC programming and FactoryTalk View ME/SE for HMI or SCADA development.

Send us your application today. We look forward to meeting you!

The LAPORTE team