Controls Engineer, Manufacturing

About the Role

George Thomas is partnering with a global packaging manufacturer seeking a Controls Engineer to lead controls, automation, and engineering initiatives at their Indiana plant. This role is crucial for ensuring control systems and production equipment are safe, reliable, compliant, and efficient. This position is located in the Greater Chicago / Lake County, IN area.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and deliver mechanical, electrical, controls, and automation projects to improve safety, productivity, reliability, and cost performance.
• Manage capital projects from scope and cost justification through design, installation, commissioning, and completion.
• Prepare project requests, budgets, schedules, specifications, and approval documentation.
• Select and coordinate external suppliers for equipment design, tooling, fabrication, and system development.
• Program, modify, test, troubleshoot, and maintain automated equipment and process control systems.
• Maintain backup libraries for PLC, robotic, instrumentation, and other automation software.
• Specify equipment and oversee machinery installations, relocations, upgrades, and commissioning.
• Prepare and maintain engineering drawings and technical documentation.
• Investigate controls issues, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Support Kaizen and continuous improvement initiatives by reviewing KPIs and identifying opportunities to improve plant performance.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, engineering, suppliers, and other stakeholders.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Up to 3 years’ experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of industrial automation and machine control systems.
• Strong Allen-Bradley programming experience.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot controls systems independently and develop preventative procedures.
• Strong communication, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to work independently and effectively within a cross-functional team.