Principal Controls Engineer

The Opportunity

Fusion Recruiters is excited to partner with our client, a global manufacturing organization, is seeking a hands-on Controls Engineer ready to move beyond supporting individual pieces of equipment and into broader project and technical leadership.

This person will continue developing and troubleshooting factory-control systems while helping establish how controls solutions are programmed, documented, integrated and supported across multiple manufacturing facilities. It is a strong progression opportunity for a Controls or Automation Engineer who wants larger projects, broader influence and the ability to help build standards rather than simply follow them.

What You Will Do

• Develop, modify and troubleshoot PLC ladder logic, HMIs and SCADA-connected manufacturing equipment.
• Support new-equipment integration, capital projects, commissioning, startups, upgrades and retrofits.
• Establish programming, documentation, backup and startup standards for factory-control systems.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Digital Technology, plant resources and outside vendors to develop and implement controls solutions.
• Provide advanced technical support to manufacturing facilities and help evaluate when automation solutions can be developed internally.

What You Will Bring

• Three or more years of hands-on controls or industrial-automation experience in manufacturing, processing, automated distribution or systems integration.
• Demonstrated experience writing or substantially modifying PLC ladder logic and developing or supporting HMIs.
• Experience integrating production equipment with SCADA or broader factory-control systems.
• Experience supporting equipment installation, commissioning, startup, upgrades or complex controls troubleshooting.
• Strong communication, project ownership and cross-functional problem-solving skills, with the ability to remain hands-on while growing into broader technical leadership.

Allen-Bradley PLC and Ignition SCADA experience are preferred but not required. Experience with other major PLC and SCADA platforms is transferable.

A bachelor’s degree in an engineering or related technical field is preferred. Equivalent progressive controls and automation experience will also be considered.

This is a plant-connected position based primarily onsite in McConnellsburg, PA. Reasonable flexibility is available based on project and personal needs, but this is not a remote position. Travel is project-driven and expected to average approximately 10%.

This position requires “U.S. Person” status under applicable export-control regulations. This generally includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents/Green Card holders and certain other protected individuals. Candidates must not require current or future employment sponsorship.