Sr. Controls Engineer in Halifax, North Carolina - #71590 | VanderHouwen

Description

Job Id: 71590

Senior Controls Engineer
Our client is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to lead the design, enhancement, and long-term reliability of industrial automation and control systems within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This role will serve as a technical authority for PLC architecture, equipment integration, and controls modernization initiatives, while partnering closely with operations, maintenance, vendors, and IT to support safe and efficient production.

This role is onsite in Halifax, North Carolina.

Senior Controls Engineer Responsibilities

• Lead complex troubleshooting, optimization, and lifecycle support of PLC-based automation and control systems.
• Design, develop, and implement control strategies to improve equipment performance, reliability, and throughput.
• Architect, modify, and maintain PLC programs, including logic updates, system upgrades, and performance tuning.
• Oversee controls integration efforts for new equipment, retrofits, and plant improvement initiatives.
• Drive controls standardization and platform migration projects to align with evolving technical strategies.
• Develop diagnostic routines, fault detection logic, and alarming structures to streamline maintenance and root cause analysis.
• Establish and maintain controls governance practices, including system access, backups, and disaster recovery procedures.
• Support a broad range of automation technologies, including HMI/SCADA systems, motion control, variable frequency drives, and industrial communication networks.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders, including equipment suppliers, plant leadership, maintenance, and IT teams.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to controls technicians, maintenance personnel, and junior engineering staff.
• Ensure adherence to safety, regulatory, and operational standards across all controls-related activities.
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts and other engineering initiatives as needed.

Senior Controls Engineer Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and practical experience.
• Minimum of five years of hands-on experience supporting PLC-driven automation systems in an industrial or manufacturing setting.
• Strong expertise with Rockwell / Allen-Bradley control platforms and associated programming environments.
• Demonstrated ability to diagnose and resolve advanced process control and automation issues.
• Experience with ladder logic, safety circuits, interlocking strategies, and industrial control system design principles.
• Working knowledge of industrial networking concepts, particularly Ethernet-based communications.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and process instrumentation drawings.
• Familiarity with HMI or SCADA systems for visualization, monitoring, and data collection is preferred.
• Practical experience with VFDs, motion or servo systems, and instrumentation signals is highly desirable.
• Proficiency with common engineering and productivity tools, including AutoCAD and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively across engineering, operations, and maintenance teams.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe and compliant work environment.

Salary: (DOE)

Benefits
Benefits are available to eligible full-time employees and include coverage for medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short and long term disability, and matching 401k.

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