Senior Controls Engineer - Custom Automation & Startup

atcautomation; Cookeville (TN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA, FSA

401(k), PTO

Career development and training

Collaborative engineering environment

Job summary

ATC Automation, located in Cookeville, TN, seeks an experienced Controls Engineer to design, program, troubleshoot, and commission control systems for custom automation equipment. You will work from concept through completion, collaborating with mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and project teams to deliver reliable automated solutions.

The ideal candidate has strong controls experience and a passion for solving complex technical problems, with knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, robotics, motion

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Controls, Automation, or related engineering field.
• Experience designing, programming, or troubleshooting PLC-based control systems.
• Experience with electrical controls and automated machinery.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and control system documentation.
• Strong understanding of industrial automation and machine controls.
• Experience troubleshooting complex automation equipment and identifying root causes.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, team-oriented engineering environment.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while meeting deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, program, and integrate controls systems for custom automation equipment.
• Develop and modify PLC, HMI, motion control, robotics, and other automation software.
• Create and review electrical schematics and controls documentation.
• Integrate electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, robotic, vision, and controls systems.
• Troubleshoot and debug equipment during assembly, startup, testing, and commissioning.
• Participate in machine startup, system testing, and customer acceptance activities.
• Configure and troubleshoot industrial communication networks and control system hardware.
• Develop machine sequences, control logic, alarms, operator interfaces, and system functionality.
• Support the development and implementation of machine safety systems.
• Work closely with Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Project Management throughout the life of a project.
• Provide technical support during machine installation and startup.
• Research and evaluate new controls technologies, components, and programming methods.
• Maintain project schedules and priorities while supporting multiple automation projects.
• Travel periodically to support equipment installation, startup, customer meetings, and project activities.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

Robotics

Motion control

Vision systems

Industrial networks

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Controls/Automation Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley Studio 5000

Siemens TIA Portal

HMI programming

Robotics

Servo systems

VFDs

Machine vision

Industrial networking

Safety systems

Machine commissioning

Job description

ATC Automation, located in Cookeville, TN, seeks an experienced Controls Engineer to design, program, troubleshoot, and commission control systems for custom automation equipment. You will work from concept through completion, collaborating with mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and project teams to deliver reliable automated solutions.

The ideal candidate has strong controls experience and a passion for solving complex technical problems, with knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, robotics, motion