Senior Control Engineer

George Thomas; New Jersey; On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

George Thomas, partnering with a global industrial packaging manufacturer in the US, seeks a Senior Controls Engineer to lead controls, automation, and engineering initiatives across the New Jersey plant. Location: Middlesex County, NJ with relocation assistance.

You will design and manage mechanical, electrical, and automation projects, oversee budgets and schedules, and coordinate external suppliers to deliver safe, reliable systems. Travel <10% as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of manufacturing experience.
• Extensive knowledge of industrial automation and machine control systems.
• Strong experience in PLC programming (Allen-Bradley & Siemens).
• Ability to troubleshoot controls systems independently and develop preventive procedures.
• Experience managing engineering or capital projects including budgets, schedules, and suppliers. PMP is advantageous.
• Flexibility to support production outside standard hours when required.
• Strong communication, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to work independently and within cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead controls, automation, and engineering initiatives across the NJ plant.
• Design and deliver controls and automation projects to improve safety, productivity, reliability, and cost.
• Manage capital projects from scope through commissioning and completion.
• Coordinate external suppliers for equipment design, tooling, fabrication, and system development.
• Program, test, and maintain automated equipment and process control systems.
• Maintain backup libraries for PLC, robotic, instrumentation, and other automation software.
• Specify equipment and oversee installations, relocations, upgrades, and commissioning.
• Prepare engineering drawings and technical documentation.
• Investigate controls issues, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Support Kaizen and continuous improvement by reviewing KPIs and identifying opportunities to improve plant performance.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, engineering, suppliers, and stakeholders to deliver effective solutions.
• Provide travel to other facilities or supplier testing locations, travel <10%.

Skills

Industrial automation

PLC programming

Troubleshooting

Project management

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC

Siemens PLC

Job description

George Thomas has partnered with a global industrial packaging manufacturer based in the US.

We are actively hiring a Senior Controls Engineer who will lead controls, automation, and engineering initiatives across the NJ plant. This role will ensure that control systems and production equipment remain safe, reliable, compliant, and efficient.

Location - Middlesex County, NJ (Relocation Assistance provided)

How you will add value to the team:

• Design and deliver mechanical, electrical, controls, and automation projects that improve safety, productivity, reliability, and cost performance.
• Manage capital projects from initial scope and cost justification through design, installation, commissioning, and completion.
• Prepare project requests, budgets, schedules, specifications, and approval documentation.
• Select and coordinate external suppliers involved in equipment design, tooling, fabrication, and system development.
• Program, modify, test, troubleshoot, and maintain automated equipment and process control systems.
• Maintain backup libraries for PLC, robotic, instrumentation, and other automation software.
• Specify equipment and oversee machinery installations, relocations, upgrades, and commissioning.
• Prepare and maintain engineering drawings and technical documentation.
• Investigate controls issues, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Support Kaizen and continuous improvement initiatives by reviewing KPIs and identifying opportunities to improve plant performance.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, engineering, suppliers, and other stakeholders to deliver effective solutions.
• Provide occasional support at other facilities or supplier testing locations, with travel expected to be less than 10%.

To be considered for this role you must have:

• A bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years’ experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Extensive knowledge of industrial automation and machine control systems.
• Strong Allen-Bradley and Siemens PLC programming experience.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot controls systems independently and develop preventative procedures.
• Experience managing engineering or capital projects, including budgets, schedules, and suppliers. PMP certification is advantageous.
• The flexibility to support production outside standard working hours when required.
• Strong communication, organisational, and project management skills.
• The ability to work independently and effectively within a cross-functional team.