Manufacturing Controls Engineer

Laborup; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

PTO & holidays

Job summary

Laborup is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Controls Engineer to join a high‑tech, on‑site manufacturing operation in Mascot, TN. The role focuses on improving equipment reliability, automation, and plant performance, working directly with production, maintenance, and engineering teams.

You will own automation and capital improvement projects from concept through installation, commissioning, and implementation, with hands-on responsibility on PLCs, HMIs, and industrial controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical field.
• Experience with industrial controls and automated equipment in manufacturing.
• Strong PLC programming, troubleshooting and HMI skills.
• Ability to troubleshoot industrial electrical systems, VFDs, servo drives, sensors, and motor controls.
• Ability to read, interpret, and modify electrical schematics.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Program, troubleshoot, modify, and optimize PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment.
• Develop and support HMI systems, industrial controls, and automated production processes.
• Troubleshoot electrical and controls issues involving PLCs, VFDs, servo drives, motors, sensors, and networks.
• Integrate and improve automated equipment, robotics, machine vision, and motion control systems.
• Support CNC equipment, automated inspection systems, and other complex manufacturing technologies.
• Maintain and update electrical schematics, controls documentation, and equipment standards.

Skills

PLC programming

Troubleshooting

HMI systems

Industrial controls

Automation engineering

Equipment uptime improvement

Project leadership

Electrical safety

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or related field

Tools

PLCs

VFDs

Servo drives

HMI software

Job description

We’re hiring an experiencedManufacturing Controls Engineerto join a well-established industrial manufacturing operation in Mascot, TN.

This is a highly technical, hands-on engineering role focused on improving equipment reliability, automation, manufacturing efficiency, and overall plant performance. You'll serve as a key technical resource for the facility, working directly with production, maintenance, and engineering teams to troubleshoot complex equipment issues, optimize existing automation systems, and implement new manufacturing technologies.

The facility operates a variety of automated manufacturing, machining, assembly, and inspection equipment. We're looking for an engineer who is comfortable working directly on the plant floor, understands industrial electrical systems, and can independently troubleshoot, program, and improve PLC-controlled equipment.

Beyond day-to-day troubleshooting, you'll have the opportunity toown automation and capital improvement projects from initial concept through installation, commissioning, and implementation.

Key Responsibilities:

Controls & Automation Engineering

• Program, troubleshoot, modify, and optimize PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment.
• Develop and support HMI systems, industrial controls, and automated production processes.
• Troubleshoot electrical and controls issues involving PLCs, VFDs, servo drives, motors, sensors, and industrial networks.
• Integrate and improve automated equipment, robotics, machine vision, and motion control systems.
• Support CNC equipment, automated inspection systems, and other complex manufacturing technologies.
• Maintain and update electrical schematics, controls documentation, and equipment standards.

Manufacturing & Equipment Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve equipment uptime, throughput, quality, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Partner with maintenance and production teams to resolve recurring equipment issues.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement long-term corrective actions.
• Analyze manufacturing and equipment performance data to identify improvement opportunities.
• Support continuous improvement, equipment reliability, and preventive maintenance initiatives.

Capital Projects & Technical Leadership

• Lead equipment upgrades, automation projects, and new equipment installations.
• Develop project scopes, technical specifications, budgets, and implementation plans.
• Coordinate with equipment manufacturers, contractors, suppliers, and internal teams.
• Oversee equipment commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, and production handoff.
• Provide technical guidance and training to maintenance technicians and production personnel.
• Support electrical safety, machine safeguarding, and compliance with applicable industrial standards.

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience working withindustrial controls and automated equipment in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong hands-on experience withPLC programming, troubleshooting, and HMI systems.
• Ability to troubleshoot industrial electrical systems, VFDs, servo drives, sensors, and motor controls.
• Experience reading, interpreting, and modifying electrical schematics.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing equipment, industrial automation, and electrical troubleshooting.
• Ability to independently diagnose complex equipment issues and implement practical solutions.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work closely with production, maintenance, and engineering teams.

• Competitive compensation based on experience
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays