PLC Controls Engineer II

Unicon Systems; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Unicon Systems is seeking a Controls Engineer II to support customer-site controls upgrades, retrofits, troubleshooting, commissioning, and field implementation activities across the USA. The role requires hands-on experience with PLC programming, ladder logic, Studio 5000/RSLogix, FactoryTalk View, and AutoCAD Electrical, and involves frequent travel up to 50%.

The ideal candidate will have 2+ years in controls engineering or industrial automation, and will work closely with customers, vendors,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a related field.
• 2+ years of controls engineering or industrial automation experience.
• Strong Ladder Logic programming experience.
• Hands-on experience with Studio 5000 / RSLogix and FactoryTalk View.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical.
• Experience troubleshooting PLC-based industrial control systems.
• Knowledge of PLCs, I/O, VFDs, motors, sensors and safety circuits.
• Experience with field installation, commissioning, startup, and controls upgrades.
• Willingness to travel up to 50%+ as required.

Responsibilities

• Develop, modify, test, and troubleshoot PLC and HMI programs.
• Perform controls upgrades, retrofits, startup, and commissioning at customer sites.
• Support PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, sensors, safety devices, relays, and distributed I/O.
• Create and maintain electrical schematics, panel drawings, and I/O layouts using AutoCAD Electrical.
• Troubleshoot control panels, field devices, PLC programs, and industrial networks.
• Support system integration, field installation, startup, and post-implementation activities.
• Conduct controls design and code reviews and support system validation.
• Assist with hardware selection, technical specs, procurement, and implementation planning.
• Work with customers, vendors, technicians, and internal engineering teams.

Skills

Ladder Logic

Troubleshooting

Industrial automation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Controls Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field

Tools

Studio 5000 / RSLogix

FactoryTalk View

AutoCAD Electrical

Job description

PLC Controls Engineer II

Job Type: Full-Time

Location: Multiple Locations Across the USA

Travel: Up to 50%+ based on project requirements

Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the United States

Position Overview

We are seeking a Controls Engineer II to support customer-site controls upgrades, system retrofits, troubleshooting, commissioning, and field implementation activities.

The ideal candidate will have hands‑on experience with PLC programming, Ladder Logic, Studio 5000/RSLogix, FactoryTalk View, and AutoCAD Electrical, along with experience supporting industrial automation, conveyor, and material handling systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, modify, test, and troubleshoot PLC and HMI programs.
• Perform controls upgrades, retrofits, startup, and commissioning at customer sites.
• Support PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, sensors, safety devices, relays, and distributed I/O.
• Create and maintain electrical schematics, panel drawings, and I/O layouts using AutoCAD Electrical.
• Troubleshoot control panels, field devices, PLC programs, and industrial communication networks.
• Support system integration, field installation, startup, and post-implementation activities.
• Conduct controls design and code reviews and support system validation.
• Assist with hardware selection, technical specifications, procurement, and implementation planning.
• Work directly with customers, vendors, technicians, and internal engineering teams.
• Support brownfield modernization and legacy controls upgrade projects.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Controls Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in controls engineering or industrial automation.
• Strong Ladder Logic programming experience.
• Hands‑on experience with Studio 5000 / RSLogix and FactoryTalk View.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical.
• Experience troubleshooting PLC-based industrial control systems.
• Strong knowledge of PLCs, I/O, VFDs, motor controls, sensors, safety circuits, and control panels.
• Experience with field installation, commissioning, startup, and controls upgrades.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 50% or more as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with brownfield retrofits and controls modernization.
• Experience with conveyor systems, warehouse automation, or automated material handling.
• Knowledge of EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, Profibus, and DeviceNet.
• Ability to read and troubleshoot electrical schematics and controls architecture drawings.
• Experience working directly at customer sites during installation and production startup.