Mid-Level Controls Engineer Company:

Automated Machine Systems (AMS)

Department:

Controls Engineering Reports To:

Controls Engineering Manager /

Director of Controls Employment Type:

Full-Time Position Summary Automated Machine Systems (AMS) is seeking a Mid-Level Controls Engineer to design, program, commission, and support industrial automation systems. This position is intended for an engineer who has developed a solid foundation in industrial controls and is capable of taking ownership of the controls portion of a project with limited supervision. The Controls Engineer will work closely with mechanical engineering, project management, assembly, customers, and other members of the controls team to deliver reliable and maintainable automation systems. The ideal candidate is comfortable working both independently and as part of a project team, can troubleshoot equipment methodically, and is capable of supporting equipment from initial design through programming, testing, installation, startup, and ongoing customer support. Primary ResponsibilitiesControls Design & Development Develop PLC programs for industrial automation and material-handling equipment. Develop and modify HMI applications. Configure and integrate VFDs, servo systems, remote I/O, sensors, safety devices, and other industrial control components. Develop machine sequences, interlocks, permissives, alarms, and fault-recovery logic. Assist with electrical control system design and component selection. Review electrical drawings and provide feedback or corrections prior to panel construction and machine assembly. Develop controls systems that are organized, maintainable, and consistent with AMS programming standards. Participate in controls design reviews and project planning. Machine Integration & Testing Bring up and test controls systems during machine assembly. Perform I/O checkout and verify proper operation of sensors, actuators, motors, safety devices, and communication networks. Debug machine sequences and identify electrical, programming, mechanical, or application-related problems. Work directly with mechanical engineering and assembly personnel to resolve equipment issues. Participate in internal machine testing and Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT). Verify equipment performance against project requirements prior to shipment. Installation & Commissioning Travel to customer facilities for equipment installation, commissioning, startup, and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT). Perform controls checkout and system validation following installation. Integrate AMS equipment with customer equipment and third-party systems. Troubleshoot issues involving PLC logic, electrical systems, industrial networks, field devices, and machine operation. Make programming changes required to achieve reliable production performance. Work with customer operations and maintenance personnel during commissioning. Provide operator and maintenance training when required. Document remaining issues and work with the project team to drive them to resolution. Troubleshooting & Customer Support Provide remote and on-site technical support for AMS equipment. Diagnose machine faults using PLC programs, electrical drawings, HMI diagnostics, network tools, and field observations. Identify root causes rather than relying solely on temporary fixes. Clearly communicate technical issues and recommended corrective actions to customers and internal teams. Support existing installations and assist with equipment upgrades or modifications. Project Ownership Take responsibility for the controls portion of assigned projects. Coordinate controls activities with project schedules and communicate potential delays or risks. Maintain awareness of project scope and identify requests that may represent scope changes. Communicate project status, technical concerns, and resource needs to project management and Controls leadership. Maintain accurate programs, backups, documentation, and project files. Support project closeout and ensure final programs and documentation accurately represent the installed system. Technical Qualifications The successful candidate should have practical experience with several of the following: Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley PLCs Studio 5000 / Logix Designer CompactLogix and ControlLogix platforms FactoryTalk View or similar HMI platforms Ethernet/IP industrial networks Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) Distributed and remote I/O systems Industrial sensors and instrumentation Motor controls and industrial electrical systems Machine safety circuits and safety PLCs Safety relays, light curtains, interlocks, and E-stops Industrial Ethernet troubleshooting Reading and interpreting electrical schematics Basic understanding of applicable machine safety and electrical standards Experience with the following is beneficial but not required: AutoCAD Electrical Keyence PLCs or automation products Machine vision systems Cameras, scanners, or laser measurement systems Robotics SQL, Python, C#, or other higher-level programming languages Linux-based industrial computers Industrial PC and edge-computing applications Integration with MES, databases, or cloud-connected systems Education & Experience Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Automation, Controls, Mechatronics, or a related field preferred. Equivalent industrial controls experience will also be considered. Typically 3-7 years of industrial controls or automation experience . Experience independently programming and commissioning automated equipment is strongly preferred. OEM, machine-building, systems-integration, conveyor, or material-handling experience is beneficial. Expected Level of Responsibility A Mid-Level Controls Engineer at AMS should be capable of independently handling the majority of normal project controls responsibilities. The engineer should be able to: Develop a PLC program from an established project design and functional requirements. Understand and troubleshoot electrical drawings. Perform machine I/O checkout. Commission standard AMS equipment. Troubleshoot controls and electrical problems without requiring step-by-step direction. Communicate effectively with customers while representing AMS professionally. Recognize when a problem requires assistance from a Senior Controls Engineer, Controls leadership, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, or another discipline. Assist less-experienced Controls Engineers and technicians when appropriate. This position is not expected to have all of the technical knowledge of a Senior Controls Engineer. However, the individual is expected to independently solve routine controls problems, investigate unfamiliar problems, and appropriately escalate issues when necessary. Travel Requirements This position requires travel to customer facilities for equipment installation, startup, commissioning, troubleshooting, and support.

Travel may include:

Multi-day or multi-week customer site visits Early morning or extended-hour startup activities when required by the project Occasional weekend work based on customer production schedules Air and vehicle travel throughout the United States Travel requirements will vary depending on project workload. Skills & Attributes Successful AMS Controls Engineers demonstrate: Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills Logical and methodical thinking Personal ownership of assigned work Ability to work independently Ability to collaborate across engineering disciplines Strong written and verbal communication Professional interaction with customers Ability to prioritize work in a project-driven environment Willingness to learn new technologies Attention to detail Understanding that machine reliability and maintainability are as important as making the equipment function Physical & Work Environment This position includes work in both office and industrial environments. The employee may be required to: Work around operating industrial machinery. Work from a laptop while on the manufacturing floor. Stand or walk for extended periods during equipment commissioning. Bend, climb, or access equipment as necessary for troubleshooting. Wear required personal protective equipment at AMS and customer facilities. Follow AMS and customer safety procedures at all times. Success in This Role A successful Mid-Level Controls Engineer at AMS is someone who can be assigned the controls portion of a typical AMS project and be trusted to move it forward. Success is demonstrated by delivering systems that are safe, reliable, understandable, maintainable, and ready for production while communicating issues early and working collaboratively with the rest of the project team.

Pay:

$33.00 - $37.00 per hour Expected hours: 40.0 - 55.0 per week

Experience:

Controls Engineering:

5 years (Required)

Work Location:

In person