Entry Level Controls Engineer

Official

Job Description:

Controls Engineer (Entry Level)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• System Support Development:
Assist senior engineers in all phases of automation projects,

including the design, programming, and commissioning of control systems for new and existing

manufacturing equipment.

• PLC Programming:
Develop foundational skills in PLC programming, primarily utilizing ladder

logic, to support, troubleshoot, and optimize existing equipment.

• HMI/SCADA Implementation:
Support the development and maintenance of intuitive operator

interfaces (HMI) and plant-wide SCADA systems, gaining exposure to our primary platforms:

Inductive Automation Ignition and Rockwell Factory Talk View (ME/SE).

• Troubleshooting:
Participate in diagnosing and resolving electrical, software, and controls
- related issues on the plant floor to help minimize equipment downtime and improve system

reliability.

• Documentation Standards:
Assist in creating and maintaining essential project

documentation, including electrical schematics, program backups, and standard operating

procedures (SOPs), ensuring adherence to established engineering standards.

• Industrial Networking:
Learn to configure and troubleshoot industrial communication networks,

including Ether Net/IP, Modbus, Profinet, and other Fieldbus, ensuring seamless data flow

between control devices.

• Continuous Improvement:
Contribute to team initiatives focused on identifying opportunities

for process improvement, efficiency gains, and cost reduction through automation solutions.

Qualifications & Skills

Required:

•

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or

a closely related engineering or technical discipline.

•

Experience:

0-2 years of relevant experience in a controls or automation-focused role. Directly

applicable internships, co-op programs, or significant academic project experience will be highly

valued.

• PLC Fundamentals: A solid academic understanding of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)

and strong foundational knowledge of ladder logic.

• Technical Aptitude:
Demonstrated ability to learn new technologies quickly, strong analytical

and problem-solving skills, and a practical, hands-on approach.

• Communication:
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to

collaborate effectively within a team environment.

• Work Ethic:
Motivated, detail-oriented, and eager to take initiative and grow within the field of

automation.

Preferred/Desired:

• Platform Exposure:
Any classroom or internship exposure to specific PLC platforms such as

Allen-Bradley (Studio 5000/RSLogix 5000), Opto 22, Phoenix Contact, or Pro-face.

• Opto Flowchart Programming:
Familiarity with or an interest in Opto Flowchart Programming.

• HMI/SCADA

Experience:

Basic familiarity with or direct exposure to Inductive Automation

Ignition and Rockwell Factory Talk View ME/SE.

• Scripting:
An interest in or basic knowledge of scripting languages like Jython or Python.

• Networking:
Foundational understanding of industrial networking principles (e.g., IP addressing,

Ethernet standards).

• SQL Knowledge:
Basic knowledge of SQL or experience with databases in an industrial context.

• Electrical Schematics:
Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and wiring diagrams.

Work Environment

This role primarily operates in a professional office setting, combined with frequent time spent on the

manufacturing floor. The successful candidate must be able to work safely in an industrial environment,

which may involve noise exposure, moving machinery, and varying temperatures. This position requires

a proactive and hands-on approach to learning and problem-solving in a dynamic production

environment. This role also includes participation in an on-call rotation for after-hours support.