Manufacturing Controls Engineer: Automation & Upgrades

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

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.