Company
Manufacturing
ControlsEngineer-Electrical&Instrumentation
Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Mid candidates.
“Controls Engineer - Electrical & Instrumentation. Skills: PLC programming, Industrial controls, Automation systems. Program automation systems. Troubleshoot automation systems”
What You'll Achieve.
Increase equipment uptime; Increase reliability; Increase production efficiency; Ensure long-term reliability
Industry & Context.
Troubleshooting; Problem-solving; Root cause analysis
Office and plant-floor environments
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, 5 years of experience in industrial automation, PLC programming experience, Troubleshooting industrial controls experience, Experience with motors, drives, and AC/DC control systems, Proficiency in ladder logic programming, Manage automation projects, Office and plant-floor environments experience
Nice to Have
IBA or PDA experience preferred
What You'll Do.
Program automation systems
Troubleshoot automation systems
Optimize automation systems
Design HMI interfaces
Update HMI interfaces
Improve HMI interfaces
Diagnose instrumentation issues
Resolve instrumentation issues
Diagnose control hardware issues
Resolve control hardware issues
Diagnose communication network issues
Resolve communication network issues
Lead uptime initiatives
Assist uptime initiatives
Lead reliability initiatives
Assist reliability initiatives
Lead efficiency initiatives
Assist efficiency initiatives
Analyze production data
Analyze control system data
Identify performance gaps
Identify improvement opportunities
Perform root cause analysis
Implement corrective actions
Assist with system upgrades
Assist with shutdown activities
Assist with equipment modifications
Improve alarm management strategies
Improve reporting functionality
Improve control system performance
Translate requirements into solutions
Support automation systems
Maintain system backups
Ensure system reliability
Improve instrumentation functionality
Optimize control system response
Identify modernization opportunities
Identify controls upgrade opportunities
Contribute to automation strategies
Contribute to continuous improvement
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Maintenance teams; Operations teams; Engineering teams
Communication Scope
Effective communication
Process & Methodology
Manage automation projects
Full Job Description
## Description Controls Engineer - Electrical & Instrumentation 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 Controls 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 opportunities for equipment m
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