Controls Engineer

Job Description Summary

Controls engineering associated with manufacturing, industrial automation, and equipment support. Impacts departmental operations and is responsible for planning and execution within a defined technical discipline. The role has some autonomy but is focused on execution of activities within an operating discipline covered by standard functional practices and procedures. Some judgment may be required, typically with guidance.

The work location for this role is Wilmington, NC (relocation assistance provided if not already local).

Job Description

Essential Responsibilities:

Controls engineering tasks supporting manufacturing, automation, and equipment performance. This role may include assisting with troubleshooting, commissioning, testing, and optimization of control systems.

Developing working knowledge of controls, electrical systems, automation, and robotics as applicable to the role. Uses prior experience and acquired technical expertise to execute established policies and procedures. Ability to create new electrical documentation and make changes to existing electrical drawings (redlines).

Working understanding of key business drivers; uses this understanding to accomplish own work. Working understanding of how work of own team integrates with other teams, including manufacturing, maintenance, operations, quality, and engineering, and contributes to the area.

Uses some level of judgment and has the ability to propose different solutions within established parameters, with guidance. Uses prior experience and on-the-job training to solve routine technical tasks. Has access to technical skills and analytical thinking required to solve problems. May use multiple internal sources outside of own team to arrive at decisions.

Typical responsibilities may include:

• Assisting with PLC, HMI, and control system troubleshooting, modifications, and upgrades
• Supporting electrical and controls design reviews
• Assisting with commissioning and startup of automated equipment and robotic systems
• Diagnosing basic control system, sensor, actuator, and field device issues
• Supporting integration of industrial networks, drives, motion systems, and safety circuits
• Preparing and updating technical documentation, drawings, and control narratives
• Working with maintenance, operations, and vendors to help resolve equipment issues
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives related to machine reliability, uptime, and automation performance

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Robotics, or a related field
• At least 2 years of experience in controls, automation, electrical, or related engineering functions.

• The work location for this role is Wilmington, NC (relocation assistance provided if not already local)

• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and resolve technical problems.
• Ability to document, plan, and execute tasks and small programs.
• Strong project coordination skills.
• Exposure to PLC programming, HMI development, and industrial control systems
• Emerson Pac Systems PLCs including RX3i and 90/30
• Siemens PLC systems including S71500, S7300, TIA portal, and Simatic Manager
• Servo motor drives, VFDs, and DC motor drives.
• Fanuc Robot systems
• Familiarity with electrical schematics, panel design, and instrumentation
• Knowledge of industrial robotics, motion control, servos, and machine safety systems
• Ability to troubleshoot automation systems in a manufacturing or industrial environment
• Strong collaboration skills with operations, maintenance, quality, and engineering teams
• Exposure to commissioning, startup, and equipment validation
• Understanding of industrial communication protocols and control architecture