Senior Electrical Controls Engineer - Automation & PLC Lead

First Search Inc.; Mobile (AL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

First Search Inc. seeks an experienced Electrical Controls Engineer to advance electrical, automation, and process-control systems in a highly automated Mobile, AL facility.

This hands-on role blends troubleshooting, system optimization, and project leadership to improve plant reliability and performance. The ideal candidate will command PLCs, DCS/SCADA, instrumentation, VFDs, and industrial networks, while guiding capital projects from concept to startup.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• 5–10+ years in industrial electrical systems, controls, automation, instrumentation, or process control.
• Strong hands-on experience programming, troubleshooting, and modifying industrial PLC systems.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and/or Siemens S7/TIA Portal.

Responsibilities

• Program, troubleshoot, and optimize PLC-based control systems (Allen‑Bradley ControlLogix, Siemens S7/TIA Portal).
• Support and maintain DCS, SCADA, and HMI systems for process monitoring and control.
• Diagnose electrical, instrumentation, and automation issues; perform root-cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Support industrial instrumentation, control valves, process loops, interlocks, alarms, and sequence controls.
• Configure and troubleshoot industrial networks and protocols (EtherNet/IP, Modbus, Profibus, Profinet, OPC).
• Assist with MCCs, VFDs, transformers, switchgear, and electrical distribution systems.
• Ensure compliance with NEC, NFPA 70E, and NFPA 70B; participate in safety reviews.
• Lead electrical, automation, and controls projects from concept through startup.
• Create and maintain P&IDs, schematics, and control narratives.
• Coordinate vendors/contractors and collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering.

Skills

PLC programming

DCS/SCADA

Instrumentation

VFDs

Industrial networks

Power distribution

ControlLogix

Siemens S7

AutoCAD

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

ControlLogix

S7/TIA Portal

DCS/SCADA

HMI

Job description

First Search Inc. seeks an experienced Electrical Controls Engineer to advance electrical, automation, and process-control systems in a highly automated Mobile, AL facility.

This hands-on role blends troubleshooting, system optimization, and project leadership to improve plant reliability and performance. The ideal candidate will command PLCs, DCS/SCADA, instrumentation, VFDs, and industrial networks, while guiding capital projects from concept to startup.