Controls Engineer

Position: Controls Engineer

Location: Liberty, NC

Compensation: $60–$70/hour (W2)

Contract Duration: 12 months, with strong potential for extension depending on performance and project requirements

Work Authorization: Green Card holders or US Citizens only (No sponsorship provided)

Key Responsibilities

• Diagnose, test, and repair electrical systems and components, including circuits, relay logic, wiring, motors, and servo drives
• Develop, modify, and troubleshoot PLC programs, robotics, and vision systems to ensure optimal system performance
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to safety systems, machine components, and hydraulic/pneumatic systems
• Lead machine integration activities into production, including setup, leveling, calibration, and quality validation
• Document maintenance activities, system changes, and troubleshooting steps using standard reporting tools
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on enhancing safety, quality, and operational efficiency
• Create and manage detailed work schedules and project timelines for assigned tasks
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering and production teams on system improvements and project execution
• Support equipment trials and validation activities at both internal facilities and vendor locations
• Ensure all equipment meets safety and compliance standards (NFPA79, ISO) through Safety Integrity Checks
• Quickly adapt to new technologies, processes, and evolving production requirements

Core Qualifications

• Proven controls engineering or industrial maintenance experience in manufacturing or equipment installation/debugging environments
• Strong background in electrical and/or mechanical systems within industrial automation settings
• Hands-on PLC expertise, including programming, troubleshooting, and modifying ladder logic
• Experience working with servo motion control systems and motor control applications
• Solid understanding of relay logic, including wiring, diagnostics, and troubleshooting
• Experience with robotics systems, including programming and fault diagnosis
• Working knowledge of hydraulic and pneumatic systems, including schematic interpretation
• Flexibility to support overtime, weekends, shutdowns, and business-critical production needs
• Ability to travel up to 30% (domestic and international) for project support and commissioning

Top skills / Must have:

• Strong understanding of relay logic and control circuits, including logic gates (AND/OR), binary concepts, and switch operations in industrial systems.
• Hands-on experience with PLC programming, including the ability to modify, troubleshoot, and interpret ladder logic and PLC control schemes.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and control system documentation.
• Practical experience with industrial automation components including robots, vision systems (cameras), and safety circuits (E-Stops, interlocks, safety relays).
• Solid knowledge of electrical troubleshooting using diagnostic tools such as multimeters and meggers, including voltage checks, resistance (ohms) measurement, and insulation testing.
• Working knowledge of low-voltage control systems, control circuits, basic ladder logic, and test board troubleshooting scenarios.
• Understanding of PLC logic symbols, control components, and their functional behavior within automated systems.
• Ability to troubleshoot and analyze real-world scenarios, including limit switch behavior (open/closed states), reverse voltage conditions, and control circuit failures.

Preferred Qualifications / Nice to have:

• Associate degree or higher in Electrical, Controls, or related technical field (or equivalent hands-on experience)
• Experience supporting pre-production setup or equipment commissioning phases
• Familiarity with production processes, including Standardized Work (STW) and Job Instruction Sheets (JIS)
• Experience collecting and analyzing quality or process data for continuous improvement initiatives
• Exposure to new plant launches or facility startup environments
• Background in high-volume manufacturing, ideally within controlled or cleanroom environments