Lead Automation Controls Engineer

Gables Search Group; Columbus (MS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Gables Search Group is seeking a Lead Automation Controls Engineer in Columbus, MS to guide controls projects and resolve complex equipment issues. This is a hands-on role with responsibility for project delivery and technical mentoring.

You will lead electrical controls and PLC automation from planning through commissioning, improve reliability, uptime, and safety, and collaborate with production, maintenance, engineering, IT, and plant leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field.
• 7+ years in manufacturing automation.
• Strong Siemens PLC programming and TIA Portal skills.
• Experience reading electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic schematics and risk assessments.
• Record of leading equipment projects and mentoring others.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical controls and PLC automation projects from equipment planning through commissioning.
• Improve production equipment reliability, uptime, efficiency, and safety.
• Troubleshoot difficult controls issues and mentor engineers and technical team members.
• Manage suppliers, schedules, equipment installations, and competing project priorities.
• Partner with production, maintenance, engineering, IT, and plant leadership on improvements.

Skills

Siemens PLC

Troubleshooting

Mentoring

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

TIA Portal

AutoCAD

Job description

We’re recruiting for a Lead Automation Controls Engineer to guide controls projects and solve complex equipment issues at a growing manufacturing operation in Columbus. This is a hands‑on role with responsibility for project delivery and technical mentoring.

Relocation assistance available

What You’ll Do

• Lead electrical controls and PLC automation projects from equipment planning through commissioning.
• Improve production equipment reliability, uptime, efficiency, and safety.
• Troubleshoot difficult controls issues and mentor engineers and technical team members.
• Manage suppliers, schedules, equipment installations, and competing project priorities.
• Partner with production, maintenance, engineering, IT, and plant leadership on improvements.

What You’ll Bring

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field.
• An established background in manufacturing automation, with approximately seven years or more of relevant experience.
• Strong Siemens PLC programming and troubleshooting skills, including hands‑on TIA Portal experience.
• Experience designing and modifying electrical controls, interpreting electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic schematics, and conducting safety or risk assessments.
• A record of leading equipment projects, coordinating suppliers, and mentoring others.

Experience with FANUC robotics, Cognex vision, Profibus, ProfiSafe, ASI‑Bus, AutoCAD, or capital projects is helpful. Travel is minimal. Candidates with H‑1B or TN status may be considered.