Senior Controls Engineer

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

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking a seasoned Controls Engineer to support capital projects and deliver automated manufacturing solutions across multiple levels. You will design, program, and commission PLCs and HMI/SCADA systems, troubleshoot complex controls, and collaborate with clients, vendors, and internal teams to meet project milestones.

Ideal candidates have 8+ years in industrial automation, proficiency with Rockwell devices, and strong documentation skills.

Qualifications

• 8+ years direct experience as a controls engineer in automated processes / industrial manufacturing.
• Proficiency in control systems troubleshooting for high-intensity environments.
• Experience designing automation control systems including PLCs and SCADA.
• Strong understanding of I&C, UL508A panel design, and engineering documents (P&IDs, PFDs).
• Experience with field instrumentation, installation, and configuration.
• Willingness to travel for installation/start-up activities and meetings.

Responsibilities

• Support capital projects and implement client solutions at local, regional, and national levels.
• Develop automation solutions across design specs, software configuration, testing, commissioning, and start-up of high-speed manufacturing processes.
• Design automation control systems and create project documentation and drawings to meet client requirements.
• Diagnose automation problems.
• Interface with teams, clients, and vendors.
• Configure software and hardware packages according to client design specs.
• Program PLCs using Allen-Bradley/Rockwell.
• Program HMI/SCADA systems using FactoryTalk, Cimplicity, Wonderware, and Ignition.
• Communicate plan progress to project stakeholders.
• Manage engineering projects and deliverables according to schedules and scope.
• Manage site construction and installation.
• Manage site start-up support of integrated control systems.
• Validate and commission facility systems following execution protocols.
• Ensure successful system turnover to customers.
• Build and strengthen client and team relationships.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA programming

Automation design

Engineering project management

Technical communication

Education

Electrical engineering

Mechanical engineering

Chemical engineering

Tools

FactoryTalk

Cimplicity

Wonderware

Ignition

Job description

• Support capital projects and implement client solutions at local, regional, and national levels


• Develop automation solutions across design specifications, software configuration and testing, commissioning, and start-up of high-speed and automated manufacturing processes


• Design automation control systems and create project documentation and drawings to meet client requirements


• Diagnose automation problems


• Interface with teams, clients, and vendors


• Configure software and hardware packages according to client design specifications


• Program PLCs using Allen-Bradley/Rockwell


• Program HMI/SCADA systems using FactoryTalk, Cimplicity, Wonderware, and Ignition


• Communicate plan progress to project stakeholders


• Manage engineering projects and deliverables according to agreed schedules and scope


• Manage site construction and installation


• Manage site start-up support of integrated control systems


• Validate and commission facility systems following established execution protocols


• Ensure successful system turnover to customers


• Build and strengthen client and team relationships

Requirements

• Minimum 8 years of direct experience as a controls engineer working on automated processes/system integration in a food, beverage, life sciences, consumer health product, or other industrial manufacturing environment


• Proficiency in control systems, troubleshooting, and high-intensity environments


• Advanced experience creating and designing automation control systems, including PLC and SCADA


• Solid understanding of industrial control panel design and fabrication (UL508A)


• Solid understanding of instrumentation and controls (I&C)


• Solid understanding of engineering documentation, including P&IDs, process flow diagrams, and standard operating procedures


• Experience with field instrumentation, control system installation, and configuration


• Familiarity with machine safety applications, electrical power distribution, and control panel design


• Proficiency in written and verbal technical communication, including generating reports and conducting group presentations


• Willingness to travel for project requirements, including installation and start-up activities, client and company-sponsored meetings, trainings, seminars, forums, and conventions


• Bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, chemical engineering, or similar technical field preferred


• Experience in an engineering/consulting environment preferred but not required


• Advanced experience in Ignition preferred


• Must program PLCs using Allen-Bradley/Rockwell


• Experience with HMI/SCADA platforms including FactoryTalk, Cimplicity, Wonderware, and Ignition


• Applicants may be subject to pre-employment screening, including drug screening, reference checks, employment verifications, background screening, and/or skills assessments


• E-Verify is used

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in designing and implementing automation control systems, including proficiency in PLC programming and HMI/SCADA platforms. Strong ability to manage engineering projects, ensuring successful system turnover and client satisfaction.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• PLC Programming Using Allen-Bradley/Rockwell


• HMI/SCADA Systems Programming


• Automation Control System Design


• Engineering Project Management


• Technical Communication

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Automation Control Systems


• Troubleshooting


• Industrial Control Panel Design


• Instrumentation and Controls (I&C)


• Engineering Documentation


• Field Instrumentation


• Control System Installation


• Software Configuration


• High-Intensity Environments


• Validation and Commissioning

Soft Skills

• Client Relationship Management


• Team Collaboration


• Verbal Communication


• Written Communication


• Presentation Skills

Certifications & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering


• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering


• Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering

Industry Keywords

• Food Manufacturing


• Beverage Manufacturing


• Life Sciences


• Consumer Health Products


• Industrial Manufacturing

Tools & Technologies

• FactoryTalk


• Cimplicity


• Wonderware


• Ignition


• Automation Software