Senior Controls Engineer

Jobtailor; Alabama; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking a senior controls engineer to lead industrial control systems across manufacturing facilities in the United States. The role focuses on automation solutions, integration with MES, and reducing downtime while raising process visibility.

The ideal candidate will design and modify PLC and HMI programming, train operations staff, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize production performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of directly related manufacturing experience.
• Experience with Allen Bradley PLCs including ControlLogix and MicroLogix.
• Experience with Allen Bradley PanelView Plus HMIs and VFDs.
• Experience troubleshooting industrial fieldbus networks (Ethernet/IP, DeviceNet).
• Experience creating/modifying electrical schematics with AutoCAD.
• Experience managing Kepware Client and OPC UA communications.
• Knowledge of assembly process design and equipment troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and support for industrial control systems across facilities.
• Partner with manufacturing, maintenance, tooling, and engineering to implement automation.
• Analyze processes and recommend automation to improve efficiency and quality.
• Oversee installation, commissioning, and integration of control systems for equipment.
• Integrate control systems with MES platforms for quality and visibility.
• Troubleshoot and resolve control system issues to minimize downtime.
• Train production and maintenance personnel on control system operation and programming.
• Develop, modify, and maintain PLC, HMI programming for production needs.
• Develop standards, machine specifications, and controls documentation.

Skills

Allen Bradley PLC Programming

ControlLogix & MicroLogix Experience

PanelView Plus HMI

Industrial Fieldbus Troubleshooting

Electrical Schematic Creation withAuto

AutoCAD

Kepware Client

OPC UA Communications

MES Platform Integration

Electrical Panel Design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field

Tools

AutoCAD

Kepware Client

OPC UA Communications

Ethernet/IP

Job description

• Provide technical leadership and support for industrial control systems across Polaris manufacturing facilities
• Partner with manufacturing, maintenance, tooling, and engineering teams to implement automation solutions
• Analyze manufacturing processes and recommend automation solutions that improve efficiency, quality, reliability, and operational performance
• Oversee the installation, commissioning, and integration of control systems for new and existing manufacturing equipment
• Integrate manufacturing control systems with MES platforms to support product quality and process visibility
• Troubleshoot and resolve controls, automation, and equipment-related issues to minimize downtime and support production objectives
• Train production and maintenance personnel on control system operation, maintenance, and programming practices
• Develop, modify, and maintain PLC, HMI, and related control system programming to support production requirements and process improvements
• Develop standards, machine specifications, and controls documentation to support manufacturing equipment and applications

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field preferred
• Minimum of 7 years of directly related experience in a manufacturing environment
• Experience with Allen Bradley PLCs, including ControlLogix and MicroLogix platforms
• Experience with Allen Bradley PanelView Plus HMIs and Allen Bradley VFDs
• Experience troubleshooting and commissioning industrial fieldbus networks, including Ethernet/IP and DeviceNet
• Experience creating and modifying electrical schematics using AutoCAD
• Experience managing Kepware Client and OPC_UA communications
• Knowledge of assembly process design, optimization, industrial equipment design, and equipment troubleshooting
• Experience with electrical panel design and construction
• Strong organizational, communication, analytical, and leadership skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
• Travel required up to 50% for positions based in Minnesota or up to 25% for positions based in Alabama

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in industrial control systems, including PLC and HMI programming, while providing technical leadership and support to enhance manufacturing efficiency and operational performance. Proficient in troubleshooting, integrating control systems with MES platforms, and training personnel on system operations.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Allen Bradley PLC Programming
• ControlLogix and MicroLogix Experience
• HMI Development with PanelView Plus
• Industrial Fieldbus Troubleshooting
• Electrical Schematic Creation with AutoCAD

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• PLC Programming
• HMI Programming
• Control Systems Integration
• Automation Solutions Implementation
• Electrical Panel Design
• Fieldbus Network Troubleshooting
• Process Optimization
• Controls Documentation Development
• Manufacturing Process Analysis
• MES Platform Integration

Soft Skills

• Leadership Skills
• Organizational Skills
• Analytical Skills
• Communication Skills

Industry Keywords

• Manufacturing Engineering
• Industrial Control Systems
• Automation
• Process Improvement
• Equipment Troubleshooting

Tools & Technologies

• Allen Bradley VFDs
• Kepware Client
• OPC_UA Communications
• Microsoft Office