Controls Engineer – MES

Role overview

Support the integration and reliable operation of Manufacturing Execution Systems in a high-volume discrete manufacturing environment. This controls-focused position connects MES workflows with PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, and production data systems so manufacturing processes can execute accurately and consistently. The work spans system launches, ramp-ups, daily production support, troubleshooting, upgrades, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

- Configure and maintain communications between MES platforms and PLC systems during implementation and ongoing production. - Integrate MES templates and user-defined data types into PLC programs, including the creation and maintenance of tags and supporting logic. - Troubleshoot PLC, HMI, industrial networking, and integration problems that affect production execution. - Support accurate real-time production reporting, manufacturing data collection, quality validation, and enforcement workflows. - Partner with process engineering, MES, production supervision, operators, and operations teams to resolve issues affecting throughput, quality, efficiency, and system performance. - Document modifications, investigations, root-cause findings, production support activity, and data requests. - Maintain part numbers, product structures, and other production information within the MES environment. - Contribute to MES enhancements, software updates, system upgrades, new production rollouts, and process optimization.

Requirements

- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, automation, manufacturing, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related technical discipline. - Experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell and Siemens PLC and HMI platforms. - Strong PLC programming, diagnostics, and troubleshooting skills. - Experience supporting industrial automation and plant-floor control systems. - Knowledge of industrial networking and manufacturing communication protocols. - Ability to analyze complex production and system-integration issues and communicate effectively with technical and operational stakeholders.

Nice to have

- Experience supporting MES in a live production environment. - Experience integrating ERP, MES, and PLC systems. - Knowledge of discrete manufacturing processes, production reporting, quality systems, or manufacturing data collection. - Experience with implementations, upgrades, launches, audits, investigations, or continuous improvement initiatives.

Benefits and work setup

- The source describes long-term technical projects, strong compensation and benefits, and a flexible work-life balance. - The role involves close collaboration across engineering, operations, production, and manufacturing support teams. - Some positions may require a federal security clearance; when applicable, candidates should clearly identify the clearance level on their resume.