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Principal Controls Engineer
Career Insights for Manufacturing Automation Engineer
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Based on Pennsylvania data
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What they do
A Manufacturing Automation Engineer designs, programs and improves automated machinery and processes within a manufacturing environment. Are responsible for the design specifications, documentation and troubleshooting of the equipment. Often work within vehicle manufacturing and food processing plants, where robots or machines are used to perform specific functions.
$100,718 / year median in Pennsylvania
+10% projected growth
Job Description
Principal Controls Engineer The Opportunity Fusion Recruiters is excited to partner with our client, a global manufacturing organization, is seeking a hands-on Controls Engineer ready to move beyond supporting individual pieces of equipment and into broader project and technical leadership. This person will continue developing and troubleshooting factory-control systems while helping establish how controls solutions are programmed, documented, integrated and supported across multiple manufacturing facilities. It is a strong progression opportunity for a Controls or Automation Engineer who wants larger projects, broader influence and the ability to help build standards rather than simply follow them. What You Will Do Develop, modify and troubleshoot PLC ladder logic, HMIs and SCADA-connected manufacturing equipment. Support new-equipment integration, capital projects, commissioning, startups, upgrades and retrofits. Establish programming, documentation, backup and startup standards for factory-control systems. Partner with Operations, Engineering, Digital Technology, plant resources and outside vendors to develop and implement controls solutions. Provide advanced technical support to manufacturing facilities and help evaluate when automation solutions can be developed internally. What You Will Bring Three or more years of hands-on controls or industrial-automation experience in manufacturing, processing, automated distribution or systems integration. Demonstrated experience writing or substantially modifying PLC ladder logic and developing or supporting HMIs. Experience integrating production equipment with SCADA or broader factory-control systems. Experience supporting equipment installation, commissioning, startup, upgrades or complex controls troubleshooting. Strong communication, project ownership and cross-functional problem-solving skills, with the ability to remain hands-on while growing into broader technical leadership. Allen-Bradley PLC and Ignition SCADA experience are preferred but not required. Experience with other major PLC and SCADA platforms is transferable. A bachelor's degree in an engineering or related technical field is preferred. Equivalent progressive controls and automation experience will also be considered. This is a plant-connected position based primarily onsite in McConnellsburg, PA. Reasonable flexibility is available based on project and personal needs, but this is not a remote position. Travel is project-driven and expected to average approximately 10%. This position requires "U.S. Person" status under applicable export-control regulations. This generally includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents/Green Card holders and certain other protected individuals. Candidates must not require current or future employment sponsorship.