Controls Engineer
Job TypeDirect Hire
Compensation$95000 - $110000 / yr
Role Snapshot
CompanyConfidential Employer
LocationJohnson City, Tennessee, USA
IndustryAutomotive
Compensation$95,000 - $110,000 per year
Employment TypeFull Time/Direct Hire
Remote StatusNo Remote
Total Openings1
Work Experience1 - 5 years
Opportunity
This is not a desk-bound controls role; it’s a boots-on-the-ground position where your decisions keep a high-output battery separator plant running. From day one, you will own the electrical heartbeat of advanced manufacturing equipment—programming Siemens PLCs, tuning drives, and upgrading systems that directly feed the electric vehicle and energy storage markets.
Your work goes beyond routine maintenance. You will diagnose complex automation faults, optimize tension control on web handling lines, and integrate new instrumentation into a 24/7 production environment. Every ladder logic block you debug and every network glitch you solve translates into measurable uptime gains. You’ll collaborate with maintenance crews, coach technicians, and drive capital projects that modernize the plant.
We are looking for a degreed electrical engineer who instinctively reaches for Step 7 or TIA Portal when things break. You should be comfortable reading P&IDs like a second language and have a track record of improving equipment reliability in a fast-paced, no-nonsense manufacturing setting. If you take pride in being the person everyone calls when the line is down, you’ll fit right in.
This is a full-time, direct-hire opportunity with a base salary of $95K–$110K, a performance bonus that recognizes real impact, and the stability of a global industry leader. If you’re ready to move from a number-crunching role to one where you see your fingerprints on every shift’s output, apply today and let’s start a conversation.
Non-Negotiables
- You must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering
- You need extensive hands-on experience with Siemens PLC programming, including installation, troubleshooting, and tuning
- You must have a strong background in industrial automation within a high-volume, fast-paced manufacturing environment
- You should be able to read and interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics, and automation documentation fluently
- You must be willing to work flexible hours, including weekends, and participate in an on-call rotation for off-hours emergencies
- You need proficiency in AutoCAD and Microsoft Office systems
- You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, as visa sponsorship is not available
What's In It For You
- You will earn a competitive base salary between $95,000 and $110,000 per year
- A performance-based bonus of up to 15% of your annual salary rewards your contributions
- You will work with the latest Siemens automation technology in a growing and stable industry sector
- Join a global leader in battery separator manufacturing where your expertise directly impacts a critical production line
- You will enjoy a culture that values hands-on problem solving, continuous improvement, and minimal bureaucracy
- This role offers real ownership of manufacturing equipment and the chance to see your ideas implemented quickly
Responsibilities
- You will develop and maintain plans to keep critical manufacturing equipment current with the latest technologies from manufacturers and competitive sources
- You will propose and lead continuous improvement projects aimed at increasing uptime, mean time between failures, and overall equipment reliability
- You will assist and coach maintenance supervisors and technicians with prioritizing daily work orders, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting tasks
- You will document and write preventive maintenance procedures, calibration protocols, and training materials, especially during the commissioning of new or upgraded equipment
- You will serve as the primary liaison between the IT department and plant operations for manufacturing network issues and troubleshooting
- You will identify, source, and manage inventory for key spare parts to minimize downtime
- You will provide on-call support on a rotational basis and participate in occasional weekend activities to maintain production continuity
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with other PLC platforms such as Automation Direct, Allen-Bradley, or Mitsubishi is a strong plus
- Proficiency with HMI and SCADA software like WinCC, Wonderware, or similar data historians and loggers is highly valued
- Knowledge of industrial networking protocols including ProfiNet, Ethernet/IP, DeviceNet, and TCP/IP will set you apart
- A background in extrusion or injection molding production, or experience with web handling and tension control systems, is advantageous
- Lean manufacturing experience or certifications in structured quality systems are preferred
- Demonstrated ability to write inventive maintenance procedures and effectively manage spare parts inventory is a plus
- Strong communication and training skills to coach technicians and clearly document processes are desired
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