Control System Engineer in Hartford, Wisconsin at PS Seasonings

Key Responsibilities:

Controls Design & Programming

• Design, program, and maintain PLC, HMI, and control systems for manufacturing equipment and smoker products
• Develop control logic for temperature regulation, airflow, combustion, and safety interlocks
• Create and maintain electrical schematics, I/O lists, and control documentation

Manufacturing & Production Support

• Provide hands-on troubleshooting support for production line control systems
• Diagnose and resolve electrical, controls, and automation issues impacting throughput and quality
• Support commissioning and startup of new equipment and production lines

Product & Process Development

• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and quality teams during new product introduction (NPI)
• Support integration of sensors, motors, actuators, and communication protocols
• Assist in the development and testing of embedded control systems for smoker products

Testing, Validation & Safety

• Support functional testing, validation, and verification of control systems
• Ensure systems comply with applicable electrical and safety standards
• Implement safe machine control practices, including emergency stops and fault detection

Continuous Improvement & Documentation

• Identify opportunities to improve system reliability, efficiency, and performance
• Support engineering change orders (ECOs) related to controls and electrical systems
• Maintain accurate documentation, software version control, and backups

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with maintenance, IT, and operations teams to support automation infrastructure
• Communicate with vendors and integrators for equipment and control system support
• Provide training and guidance to technicians and operators as needed

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related field
• 3–7+ years of experience in controls or automation engineering within a manufacturing environment
• Experience with thermal control systems, motors, and industrial sensors preferred

Technical Skills

• PLC programming experience (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar platforms)
• HMI development and troubleshooting
• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols (EtherNet/IP, Modbus, etc.)
• Ability to read and create electrical schematics and panel layouts
• Familiarity with safety standards and machine controls

Soft Skills

• Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills
• Effective communication across engineering, operations, and maintenance teams
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities
• Hands-on, solution-oriented mindset