Test / Controls Engineer

TRC Talent Solutions is actively seeking a Test / Controls Engineer for a high-visibility, ground-floor opportunity with one of our top manufacturing partners in the Conyers, GA area.

This is a brand-new, high-impact position created to solve a critical operational challenge: eliminating quality defects at the point of origin before products leave the plant. If you are a hands-on Controls or Automation Engineer who thrives on building brand-new processes from a blank page, designing automated testing protocols, and being the "hero" who transforms plant quality standards, this is your ideal role.

About the Client

Our client is an industry-leading manufacturer of high-performance commercial systems supplied to major global retailers. They foster a fast-moving, highly collaborative environment where leadership is deeply hands-on and responsive. They offer immediate, Day 1 benefits eligibility, performance incentives, and creative sign-on/relocation options ($10K relocation assistance available) for standout talent.

The Role: Test / Controls Engineer

Currently, production teams rely on standard end-of-line customer controllers to validate equipment, allowing undetected logic or wiring defects to reach the field. As the plants first Test Controls Engineer, you will build a dedicated, in-process testing and error-proofing (Poka-Yoke) architecture from scratch.

Key Responsibilities:

Blank-Page Test Architecture: Design, program, and validate test software and automated routines to simulate machine operations, verify control logic, and automatically catch electrical/wiring errors during manufacturing.

Station-Level Error-Proofing (Poka-Yoke): Integrate hardware toolsincluding vision systems, light curtains, lasers, proximity switches, and pick-and-place setupsto catch component failures and assembly errors at the point of origin.

Data Acquisition & Analytics: Build hardware and software workflows to capture process data into central repositories/systems (leveraging platforms like Power BI where applicable) for ongoing process control, quality analysis, and root-cause problem solving.

Controls Translation: Partner directly with software and controls teams to translate operational requirements into automated validation scripts, verifying seamless communication with customer control platforms.

Electrical & System Validation: Review electrical schematics, 3-phase power distribution, low-voltage control circuits, and wiring diagrams; validate compliance with industry standards (e.g., UL).

Core Qualifications

Experience: 3+ years of hands-on controls, automation, or test engineering experience within a manufacturing environment.

Programming & Systems: Strong proficiency in programming and troubleshooting major PLC platforms (Allen-Bradley / Rockwell, Siemens, etc.). Experience with specialty refrigeration controllers (Copeland, Danfoss, Novar) is a plus, but standard PLC expertise translates seamlessly.

Error-Proofing & Sensing: Hands-on familiarity with sensor integration, vision systems, light curtains, or automated quality checks.

Data Acquisition: Ability to pipe data from physical machine processes into data repositories/systems for logging and analysis.

Education: Bachelors Degree in Electrical, Automation, or Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent hands-on experience).

Key Highlights & Benefits

Work Environment: Direct-hire, 1st shift plant role based in Conyers, GA with minimal to no travel.

Incentives: Eligible for annual bonus incentives (5%) + Day 1 immediate benefits coverage with no waiting period.

Relocation / Sign-On: Relocation assistance ($10K offset) available for Southeast / East Coast rockstars looking to move to the area.

TRC Talent Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.