Job Description

Controls Engineer – Plant & Equipment

Location: East Central Illinois | Near Terre Haute, IN
Compensation: $75,000–$95,000 + Annual Bonus
Schedule: Full-Time | On-Site

A growing industrial manufacturer is seeking a hands-on Controls Engineer to lead PLC programming, automation improvements, and electrical troubleshooting across plant equipment and manufacturing operations.

This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer who enjoys solving real manufacturing challenges, improving equipment reliability, and taking ownership of automation and capital projects. You'll work closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and equipment suppliers to improve plant performance.

Responsibilities

• Program, troubleshoot, and optimize PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servo drives, and motion control systems.
• Diagnose electrical and controls issues on manufacturing equipment.
• Support equipment installations, upgrades, commissioning, and startups.
• Improve equipment reliability, uptime, safety, and production efficiency.
• Lead and support automation, Lean, and continuous improvement projects.
• Collaborate with Maintenance, Operations, Engineering, OEMs, and system integrators.
• Perform root-cause analysis and implement corrective improvements.
• Maintain electrical drawings, PLC/HMI programs, and controls documentation.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Controls, Automation, or related Engineering field.
• 3+ years of controls, automation, electrical, or manufacturing engineering experience.
• Hands-on PLC programming and troubleshooting experience required.
• Strong knowledge of HMIs, VFDs, sensors, motor controls, and industrial electrical systems.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics.
• Strong troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable working directly with plant equipment and maintenance teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Allen-Bradley/Rockwell PLCs, Studio 5000, RSLogix, or FactoryTalk.
• Siemens PLCs and industrial automation systems.
• Robotics, servo drives, motion control, or machine safety.
• Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement experience.
• Agriculture industry experience is a plus.

Why Join?

• $75,000–$95,000 + annual bonus
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off
• 401(k) with company match
• Employee stock purchase plan with match
• Hands-on ownership of automation and plant improvement projects
• Opportunity to work with PLCs, controls, and advanced manufacturing equipment

Interested?

For confidential consideration, contact:

Alana Seddon | gpacExecutive Search Consultant |
Manufacturing & Industrial Operations
Phone: 785-783-6703
Email: alana.seddon@gogpac.com

All inquiries and candidate information will be held in the strictest confidence.

Keywords

Controls Engineer • Automation Engineer • Electrical Controls Engineer • PLC Engineer • Manufacturing Controls Engineer • Industrial Automation • PLC Programming • PLC Troubleshooting • Allen-Bradley • Rockwell Automation • Studio 5000 • RSLogix • FactoryTalk • Siemens • HMI • VFD • Servo Drives • Motion Control • Industrial Electrical Systems • Electrical Schematics • Robotics • Machine Safety • Equipment Commissioning • Root Cause Analysis • Lean Manufacturing • Continuous Improvement • Plant Engineering

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations. GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.