Company
Manufacturing
ControlsEngineer-Electrical&Instrumentation
Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Senior candidates.
“Controls Engineer - Electrical & Instrumentation. Skills: Industrial Automation, Controls Engineering, PLC Programming, Instrumentation. Program PLC-based automation systems. Troubleshoot PLC-based automation systems”
Industry & Context.
Troubleshooting; Problem-solving abilities; Root cause analysis
Office and plant-floor environments
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related technical field, Minimum of 5 years of experience in industrial automation or manufacturing environments, Background in PLC programming, troubleshooting, and industrial controls, Experience working with motors, drives, and AC/DC control systems, Proficiency in ladder logic programming, Ability to manage automation projects from concept through implementation, Comfortable working in both office and plant-floor environments
Nice to Have
IBA or PDA experience preferred
What You'll Do.
Program PLC-based automation systems
Troubleshoot PLC-based automation systems
Optimize PLC-based automation systems
Design HMI interfaces
Update HMI interfaces
Improve HMI interfaces
Diagnose instrumentation issues
Resolve instrumentation issues
Diagnose industrial controls issues
Resolve industrial controls issues
Diagnose automation hardware issues
Resolve automation hardware issues
Diagnose communication network issues
Resolve communication network issues
Increase equipment uptime
Increase equipment reliability
Increase production efficiency
Analyze production data
Analyze control system data
Identify performance gaps
Identify improvement opportunities
Perform root cause analysis
Implement corrective actions
Execute system upgrades
Plan shutdown activities
Execute shutdown activities
Plan equipment modifications
Execute equipment modifications
Improve alarm management strategies
Improve reporting functionality
Improve control system performance
Translate operational requirements
Translate production requirements
Support automation systems
Maintain system backups
Ensure control system reliability
Improve instrumentation functionality
Optimize control system response
Identify modernization opportunities
Identify controls upgrade opportunities
Contribute to automation strategies
Contribute to continuous improvement efforts
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Working with maintenance; Working with operations; Working with engineering teams; Team-oriented environment
Communication Scope
Effective communication
Process & Methodology
Manage automation projects
Full Job Description
## Description Industrial Automation Engineer – Controls & Process Systems Location: Petersburg, VA Employment Type: Contract-to-Hire Compensation: Starting at $70,000 annually (based on experience and technical background) Position Overview A manufacturing operation is seeking an experienced Industrial Automation Engineer to support the performance, reliability, and continuous improvement of automated production systems. This role combines hands-on troubleshooting with controls engineering and system optimization, working closely with maintenance, operations, and engineering teams. The ideal candidate will have strong PLC programming experience, a solid understanding of industrial control systems, and the ability to identify and implement automation improvements in a production environment. ## Primary Responsibilities Program, troubleshoot, and optimize PLC-based automation systems supporting manufacturing equipment Design, update, and improve HMI interfaces to enhance operator usability and system interaction Diagnose and resolve issues related to instrumentation, industrial controls, automation hardware, and communication networks Lead or assist with initiatives focused on increasing equipment uptime, reliability, and production efficiency Analyze production and control system data to identify trends, performance gaps, and improvement opportunities Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for recurring system issues Assist with planning and execution of system upgrades, shutdown activities, and equipment modifications Improve alarm management strategies, reporting functionality, and overall control system performance Translate operational and production requirements into practical automation solutions Support automation systems used in heavy industrial and manufacturing processes Maintain system backups and help ensure long-term control system reliability Improve instrumentation functionality and optimize control system response Identify oppor
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