Principal Software & Controls Engineer

Milacron; Batavia Township (OH); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Milacron in Batavia, Ohio, is seeking a Principal Software & Controls Engineer to modernize machine-control software, development practices, and engineering standards across global teams. You will design, test, and troubleshoot production machine-control software and program controls using IEC 61131-3 Structured Text.

Lead technically while staying hands-on with code, establish Azure DevOps practices, and build CI/CD pipelines across PLC, embedded, web, and application software.

Qualifications

• Degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Extensive experience with machine-controls engineering and PLC programming.
• Proven ability to lead technical efforts while coding hands-on.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and troubleshoot production machine-control software.
• Program controls using IEC 61131-3 Structured Text.
• Establish and govern Azure DevOps repositories and release practices.
• Build CI/CD pipelines across PLC, embedded, web, and app software.
• Set standards for code reviews, testing, and requirements traceability.
• Define machine-data standards for schemas, tags, units, and events.
• Resolve complex production and field issues involving controls and data.
• Provide documentation, training, and technical guidance to global teams.
• Collaborate with teams across the United States, India, and Europe to improve consistency.

Skills

PLC/Real-time software

Structured Text (IEC 61131-3)

Global collaboration

Code reviews & testing

Technical leadership

On-site work readiness

Industrial automation knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/CE/EE/Mechatronics

Tools

B&R Automation Studio

KEBA

Beckhoff TwinCAT

Python

C/C++

C#

JavaScript

SQL

Azure DevOps / Git platforms

Databricks / data modeling

Job description

Milacron is looking for a Principal Software & Controls Engineer to join our team in Batavia, Ohio. In this position, you will be responsible for modernizing Milacron’s machine-control software, development practices, and engineering standards across global teams.

Work You’ll Do

• Design, develop, test, and troubleshoot production machine-control software.
• Program controls solutions using IEC 61131-3 Structured Text and related technologies.
• Establish and govern Azure DevOps repositories, branching, work items, permissions, and release practices.
• Build automated CI/CD pipelines across PLC, embedded, web, and application software.
• Set practical standards for code reviews, testing, requirements traceability, and release readiness.
• Define machine-data standards for schemas, tags, units, sampling, events, and time alignment.
• Resolve complex production and field issues involving controls, software, and data.
• Provide documentation, training, and technical guidance to global engineering teams.
• Collaborate with teams across the United States, India, and Europe to improve engineering consistency and product performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 12+ years of combined software and controls engineering experience.
• Hands-on industrial machine-controls experience, including PLC or real-time software, HMI systems, and industrial communications.
• Strong experience programming with IEC 61131-3 Structured Text.
• Experience designing and implementing process-control or closed-loop control algorithms on production machinery.
• Experience with Azure DevOps, GitHub, GitLab, or a comparable environment, including repositories and CI/CD pipelines.
• Experience providing technical leadership while remaining hands-on with code development and review.
• Ability to influence and support global, cross-cultural teams without direct authority.
• Ability to travel globally up to 20%.
• Ability to work primarily onsite in Batavia, Ohio.
• Experience with B&R Automation Studio, KEBA, Beckhoff TwinCAT, or multiple industrial-control platforms preferred.
• Experience with Python, C/C++, C#, JavaScript, HTML, SQL, Azure, Databricks, or data modeling preferred.
• Experience integrating machine or shop-floor data with ERP, MES, service, or analytics platforms preferred.
• Experience with automated testing, adaptive controls, model-based development, or control abstraction frameworks preferred.
• Industrial automation, complex machinery, plastics processing, or injection-molding experience preferred.

Who We Are

Milacron is a global industrial leader in the manufacturing and distribution of highly engineered and customized injection molding and extrusion solutions, and aftermarket parts and service for the plastics processing industry. The company’s 1,900+ associates worldwide collaborate to serve a diverse range of end-markets, such as automotive, construction, medical, telecommunications, material handling, packaging, and much more. With expertise in plastics spanning nearly 60 years, Milacron holds longstanding relationships with more than 27,000 customers around the world. The original equipment provider of plastics manufacturing solutions is the largest US-owned and globally served of its kind. Headquartered in Batavia, OH, Milacron’s global footprint is also serviced through regional facilities in Asia, Europe, and South America.

Eeo

The policy of Milacron is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or veteran status. We are committed to being an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and offer opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us at [e-mail]. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.