Controls engineer

Job Description

Control Systems Engineer – Industrial Automation

Location: Greater Columbia, SC area

Industry: Industrial Automation & Systems Integration

About the Opportunity

Our client is an established industrial automation and systems integration firm serving manufacturers across the U.S. and internationally. Their projects cover machine, process, discrete, and data automation in industries such as food and beverage, life sciences, specialty chemicals, automotive, packaging, energy, and water/wastewater. They handle everything in-house, from control system design and panel fabrication to installation, startup, and ongoing field support. They're adding a mid-to-senior Control Systems Engineer to their Columbia-area team. This is a customer-facing role. You'll work directly with clients to understand their needs, design and program the solution, and see it through commissioning on the plant floor. If you enjoy variety, solving hard automation problems, and owning projects end to end, this role is a strong fit.

What You'll Do

• Design and Develop: Design, program, and support control systems for industrial automation, including PLCs, HMIs, drives, and industrial networks. Build and maintain automation and control system architectures that scale across projects and facilities. Review customer requirements for automated manufacturing systems and turn them into practical, reliable designs.
• Test, Commission, and Troubleshoot: Perform testing, startup, and commissioning of automation systems at customer sites. Diagnose and resolve issues across control hardware, software, and networks.
• Partner With Customers and Teams: Serve as a technical point of contact for customers throughout the project lifecycle. Work with fellow engineers, project managers, and system owners to deliver projects on schedule and within budget.

What You Bring

A proven track record in automation or electrical engineering. 5+ years of hands-on experience with motion control systems and electrical control panel design. Experience designing, programming, and troubleshooting automated equipment in industrial manufacturing plants. Strong skills in PLC programming, HMI development, and industrial networking. Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, P&IDs, and engineering drawings. Comfort working directly with customers in a consulting or integrator environment.

Nice to Have

Background as an Automation, Controls, or Electrical Engineer with experience in any of the following: PLCs and DCS: Allen-Bradley/Rockwell (ControlLogix, PlantPAx) and Siemens. SCADA/HMI: Ignition, FactoryTalk View, Wonderware, WinCC, or iFIX. Robotics: FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Universal Robots, or Yaskawa/Motoman. Motion: Drives, servos, and motion control systems. Integration: Systems integration experience at a controls integrator or OEM.

Why This Role

Varied, challenging projects across a wide range of industries. Ownership of projects from design through commissioning. A full-service firm with in-house panel fabrication and field service support. The chance to grow with an experienced team of automation professionals.