Industry: Manufacturer
Location: Nicholasville, KY
Salary: $90-130K + Bonus
Visa Sponsor: Yes
Language: English: Business Level, Japanese: Business Level
Detail: Japanese trading company is seeking a Controls Engineer!
This position is responsible for the design, programming, integration, testing, and commissioning of industrial automation systems for manufacturing customers throughout North America. The ideal candidate will have experience with PLC programming, HMI development, electrical design, troubleshooting, and machine startup activities.
The Controls Engineer will work closely with customers, project managers, mechanical engineers, and machine builders to deliver high-quality automation solutions.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Controls System Design
* Design and develop industrial control systems for custom automation equipment.
* Create electrical schematics, control panel layouts, and wiring diagrams using AutoCAD
Electrical or equivalent CAD software.
* Select and specify electrical control components including PLCs, HMIs, sensors, safety devices, servo systems, and network hardware.
* Develop project Bills of Material (BOM).
PLC & HMI Programming
* Design, develop, and troubleshoot PLC programs from the ground up.
* Develop HMI applications and operator interfaces.
* Debug and optimize machine control systems.
* Perform system integration and functional testing.
Experience with the following platforms is preferred:
* Allen-Bradley (Rockwell Automation)
* Mitsubishi Electric
* Keyence
* Omron
Machine Startup & Commissioning
* Support machine build activities and system validation.
* Perform machine startup, debugging, and optimization.
* Conduct Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT).
* Conduct Site Acceptance Tests (SAT) at customer facilities.
* Provide technical support during production launches.
* Troubleshoot and resolve electrical and controls-related issues.
Customer Interaction
* Participate in customer meetings regarding project scope, specifications, and technical requirements.
* Provide technical recommendations and problem-solving support.
* Communicate project status and technical updates.
* Support equipment installation and commissioning activities at customer facilities.
Documentation
* Maintain project documentation including:
* Electrical drawings
* PLC/HMI source code
* Network architecture documentation
* Operation manuals
* Service documentation
Qualifications
Required Education
One of the following:
* Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Automation Engineering, or related field
* Associate Degree with a minimum of 5 years of direct controls integration experience
* Equivalent industry experience in automation and controls engineering
Required Experience
* Minimum 3 years of controls engineering experience
* Experience programming PLC systems from the ground up
* Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and control drawings
* Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
* Experience supporting industrial automation equipment and manufacturing systems
Preferred Qualifications
* Experience with automotive manufacturing equipment
* Experience with welding automation systems
* Experience with servo and motion control systems
* Experience with machine vision systems
* Experience using AutoCAD Electrical
* Experience supporting equipment installation and commissioning in manufacturing environments
Language Skills
* Japanese language proficiency (Native or Business Level) required
* Ability to communicate effectively with Japanese customers regarding technical specifications, project status, troubleshooting, and equipment commissioning
* English communication skills sufficient to work in a manufacturing and customer-facing environment
Travel Requirements
* Domestic and international travel approximately 10%–20%
* Ability to travel throughout North America as required
Desired Characteristics
* Self-motivated and capable of working independently
* Strong communication and teamwork skills
* Customer-focused mindset
* Ability to learn new technologies quickly
* Strong commitment to quality and continuous improvement
Other Details:
Travel: Opportunities to visit customer sites up to 10% - 20% of your time.
Salary: $90-130K + bonus
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm
