Job Description
Controls Engineer
Setting/Hours: 100% In-Office | 3rd Shift - Sunday - Thursday 10pm - 6: 30am
Join trak group in partnering with a growing client in Harrison, Ohio thats expanding its Manufacturing team.
Website Summary
Join trak group in partnering with an established food manufacturing client seeking a Controls Engineer to support the design, programming, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of industrial automation systems. This hands-on position offers the opportunity to work with advanced manufacturing technology, including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, variable frequency drives, industrial networks, and automated production equipment.
This opportunity is open to both experienced Controls Engineers and recent engineering graduates with relevant technical coursework, internships, co-ops, or project experience. The ideal candidate has strong problem-solving abilities, an interest in industrial automation, and a desire to improve equipment reliability and manufacturing performance.
This role offers exposure to capital projects, equipment commissioning, automation modernization, and cross-functional engineering initiatives within a highly automated manufacturing environment.
Responsibilities
Industrial Automation & Controls Engineering
Design, program, commission, troubleshoot, and improve industrial automation and control systems.
Support PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, VFDs, instrumentation, motor controls, and industrial networks.
Develop and modify PLC programs and HMI interfaces to improve equipment functionality and performance.
Troubleshoot electrical controls, automated equipment, and manufacturing process issues.
Develop electrical and control system designs, including schematics, machine control circuits, motor controls, and safety circuits.
Ensure control system designs comply with applicable NEC and NFPA standards.
Specify and integrate automation hardware, instrumentation, and control technologies.
Maintain accurate electrical drawings, control programs, and technical documentation.
Equipment Troubleshooting & Manufacturing Support
Provide hands-on technical support to Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and IT/OT teams.
Diagnose and resolve complex automation and equipment issues to minimize production downtime.
Identify root causes of recurring equipment failures and implement corrective actions.
Improve equipment reliability, manufacturing efficiency, and overall production performance.
Support troubleshooting of industrial communication networks and automated control systems.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve electrical, controls, and process-related challenges.
Evaluate existing automation systems and recommend improvements to increase reliability and maintainability.
Capital Projects & Automation Improvements
Support automation and capital equipment projects from initial design through installation and production startup.
Participate in equipment specification, control system design, programming, and commissioning.
Assist with Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT).
Coordinate with equipment manufacturers, system integrators, and outside vendors.
Support implementation of new automation technologies and modernization of existing manufacturing equipment.
Ensure automation projects meet established safety, performance, schedule, and budget expectations.
Evaluate opportunities to improve manufacturing processes through automation and technology.
Controls Standards & Continuous Improvement
Develop, maintain, and improve plant automation standards, control programs, and system documentation.
Apply industry best practices, including ISA-88 and ISA-95, to manufacturing automation systems.
Support standardization of control system architecture and programming practices.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on equipment reliability, efficiency, and process optimization.
Maintain compliance with workplace safety, food safety, quality, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
Partner with technical teams to implement sustainable engineering improvements.
Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Electro-Mechanical, Mechatronics, Computer, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
Fundamental understanding of industrial automation and control systems, including PLCs, HMIs, instrumentation, motor controls, and electrical systems.
Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, P&IDs, process control drawings, and engineering documentation.
Strong technical troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
Understanding of electrical and automated manufacturing systems.
Ability to communicate effectively with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, IT/OT, and other technical teams.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple responsibilities.
Willingness to learn new automation technologies and develop hands-on technical skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a manufacturing environment.
Strong commitment to workplace safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
Ability to work onsite on the assigned third-shift schedule.
Experience Level:
Open to recent engineering graduates and experienced Controls Engineers.
Relevant coursework, laboratory work, co-ops, internships, senior design projects, robotics, automation projects, or other hands-on engineering experience will be considered.
Experience with Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley PLCs, including ControlLogix and CompactLogix.
Familiarity with FactoryTalk, Ignition, or other industrial HMI/SCADA platforms.
Knowledge of EtherNet/IP and industrial communication networks.
Experience with Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), instrumentation, and process control systems.
Familiarity with PLC programming, troubleshooting, and control system commissioning.
Experience using AutoCAD for electrical drawings or controls documentation.
Exposure to industrial automation projects, equipment installations, or manufacturing process improvements.
Familiarity with NEC, NFPA, ISA-88, and ISA-95 standards.
Experience working with system integrators, equipment manufacturers, or automation vendors.
Previous experience in a food manufacturing or highly automated production environment.
Hands-on experience gained through engineering internships, co-ops, robotics, senior design, or automation projects.
Top Workplace Award-Winning Employer
Weekly Pay
Free employee meal buffet
Employee discounts on company products
Free uniforms and shoe allowance
Free gym membership and health screenings
Comprehensive medical benefits
401(k) and Profit Sharing
Generous paid time off
Referral, service, and other bonus opportunities
Position: Controls Engineer
Industry: Food Manufacturing
Reports To: Controls Engineering Supervisor
Schedule: 3rd Shift
Work Arrangement: Onsite
Experience Level: Entry-level through experienced engineering professionals
If you're ready to take the next step in your career and want to make an impact, partner with trak group to explore this opportunity.
Numbers & Facts
| Location | Harrison, OH |
| Industry | Staffing/Employment Agencies |
| Company Size | 500 to 999 employees |
| Year Founded | 1972 |
| Website | http://www.trakcincy.com/ |
About Company
trak group, established in 1972, is proud of its impeccable reputation as a professional recruiting and staffing firm. trak has demonstrated an unmatched level of expertise and success in the industry, and takes great pride in its A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
trak has been awarded “Best Places to Work” by the Business Courier three consecutive years; following the third and final nomination, trak was respectfully awarded with “The Best of the Best”. We continue to hold the Consumers’ Choice Award for Business Excellence and the “SPECTRUM Award” for Service Excellence from City Beat News indicating a 5-star customer service rating. Six of our employees have been inducted into the prestigious “International Hall of Fame” and four carry national certifications lending to their dedication and passion for our industry.
Specializing in direct hire, alternative hire and contract opportunities, trak is currently partnering with over 300 client companies in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Area. Because we are proud of our process, we take time to source, screen and evaluate each candidate. Our placement fields include office support, customer service, accounting and finance, operations, management, human resources, sales and marketing, engineering and supply chain management.
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