Senior Controls Engineer - Automation Leader (Relocation)

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, 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.