Sr. Controls Engineer

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in industrial controls, automation, or manufacturing engineering, preferably in an automotive or high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Strong experience programming and troubleshooting PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servos, motion systems, industrial networks, and machine safety systems.
• Demonstrated ability to diagnose complex electrical and controls problems involving sensors, actuators, motors, drives, panels, networks, machine logic, and production processes.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation controls platforms preferred; Siemens or other controls platforms are a plus.
• Working knowledge of electrical schematics, control panel design, industrial power distribution, and applicable standards such as NFPA 70, NFPA 79, NEC, and OSHA requirements.
• Experience supporting machine vision, robotics, SCADA, MES, or plant data acquisition systems is preferred.
• Strong project management, documentation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Experience in automotive manufacturing, textile, carpet, acoustic, thermal, or related production processes.
• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or equivalent electrical design software.
• Experience with Ignition, FactoryTalk, Wonderware, Kepware, SQL databases, or other SCADA/MES/data collection platforms.
• Experience developing standardized PLC/HMI code structures, reusable code blocks, and plant controls standards.
• Experience supporting digital transformation, machine connectivity, predictive maintenance, or real-time production performance monitoring.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or formal root cause analysis experience.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.

• Ability to perform calculations related to electrical loads, timing, cycle rates, line speeds, sensor scaling, control loops, downtime analysis, and process capability.
• Ability to analyze production and equipment data to identify trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities.
• Strong math skills are required to handle complex calculations and problem solving.

• Ability to define complex technical problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement practical solutions in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to interpret technical instructions, electrical drawings, software logic, machine sequences, process data, and equipment manuals.
• Ability to make sound decisions under production pressure while maintaining safety, quality, and reliability requirements.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office software.
• Proficient with PLC and HMI programming software such as Rockwell Studio 5000, FactoryTalk View, RSLogix, or equivalent platforms.
• Experience with drive configuration software, industrial networking tools, electrical CAD software, and data collection or SCADA platforms.
• MS Project, AutoCAD Electrical, Minitab, SQL, Ignition, or equivalent tools are a plus.
• Proficient in using engineering software and tools.

The primary purpose of this job description is to summarize the key/essential duties.

Other duties may be assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Senior Controls Engineer – Autoneum North America, Inc. | Aiken, SC

Autoneum North America, Inc. is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to join our Engineering team in Aiken, South Carolina.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role for an experienced controls professional who enjoys solving complex manufacturing problems, improving equipment reliability, and driving automation improvements on the plant floor.

In this role, you will support and improve PLC, HMI, VFD, servo, robotics, vision, industrial network, and data collection systems across a manufacturing operation.

You will partner closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Production, Quality, and Safety to reduce downtime, support new equipment launches, improve process control, and help advance plant automation and digital transformation initiatives.

• Lead controls troubleshooting, programming, upgrades, and continuous improvement projects.
• Support equipment startups, commissioning, new model launches, and process improvements.
• Improve machine reliability, cycle time, operator usability, data visibility, and production performance.
• Develop and maintain controls documentation, software backups, electrical drawings, and plant controls standards.
• Mentor technicians and engineers in safe, effective controls troubleshooting and best practices.

• 7 or more years of industrial controls, automation, or manufacturing engineering experience.
• Strong PLC, HMI, VFD, servo, electrical troubleshooting, and industrial network experience.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation platforms preferred.
• Experience with vision systems, robotics, SCADA, MES, or plant data systems is a plus.
• Strong communication, documentation, project management, and problem-solving skills.

You will play a key role in improving manufacturing performance, equipment reliability, and automation capability at the Aiken facility.

This position offers the opportunity to lead meaningful technical improvements, work closely with cross-functional teams, and contribute directly to safe, efficient, high-quality production.

Are you excited to work in a global and multi-cultural work environment and are you looking for an inspiring and engaging workplace?

Then we are looking forward to receiving your application.