Lead Controls Engineer – PLC & Automation

Worthington Steel; Porter (IN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Worthington Steel in Porter, Indiana, is seeking a Controls Engineer to maintain and improve automation across our steel processing operations. You will work directly with PLCs, HMIs, drives, instrumentation, and industrial networks to troubleshoot and optimize equipment performance.

Collaborating with Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering, you’ll drive lean improvements, support capital projects, and help modernize aging systems while ensuring safety and reliability in a hands-on role.

Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 3–5 years of experience in an industrial, steel processing, or similar environment preferred.
• Strong knowledge of PLC programming and troubleshooting, HMIs, VFDs, motor controls, industrial networks, sensors, instrumentation, and electrical schematics.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a lead technical resource for PLCs, HMIs, drives, instrumentation, and industrial networking.
• Troubleshoot and improve PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, instrumentation, industrial networks, and automated processing equipment.
• Partner with Operations and Maintenance to improve equipment uptime, throughput, quality, and safety.
• Diagnose complex electrical and controls issues, identify root causes, and implement permanent solutions.
• Support new equipment installations, controls upgrades, capital projects, commissioning, and startups.

Skills

PLC programming

Electrical schematics

Industrial networks

Troubleshooting

Project management

Education

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Equivalent practical experience

Tools

Rockwell/Allen-Bradley systems (RSLogix, FactoryTalk View SE/ME)

PowerFlex Drives

ABB/Siemens drives (plus)

Job description

Worthington Steel in Porter, Indiana, is seeking a Controls Engineer to maintain and improve automation across our steel processing operations. You will work directly with PLCs, HMIs, drives, instrumentation, and industrial networks to troubleshoot and optimize equipment performance.

Collaborating with Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering, you’ll drive lean improvements, support capital projects, and help modernize aging systems while ensuring safety and reliability in a hands-on role.