Junior Controls Engineer

Ralliant

$103K — $191K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electromechanical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or related field.
  • 3+ years of experience in controls engineering and industrial automation.
  • Significant experience with PLCs from brands like Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, and Schneider Electric.
  • Proficiency in developing HMI and SCADA systems.
  • Strong knowledge of industrial communication protocols such as Ethernet/IP, OPC UA, and Modbus TCP.
  • Experience with automation technologies including VFDs, servo systems, and robotics.
  • Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and control panel drawings.

Responsibilities

  • Configure PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA systems for operational data reliability.
  • Collaborate with Smart Factory Data Engineer for secure equipment connectivity.
  • Support implementation of industrial communication protocols to enhance data availability.
  • Assist in validating the quality of manufacturing data for operational analytics.
  • Participate in Smart Factory initiatives by supporting connected technologies.
  • Work with operations teams to improve equipment performance and manufacturing efficiency.
  • Analyze performance data to boost manufacturing visibility and continuous improvement.

Benefits

  • Engagement in Smart Factory and Industry 4.0 initiatives.
  • Opportunities for collaboration with experienced engineers and multidisciplinary teams.
  • Support for continuous learning and adoption of new technologies, including AI.
  • Exposure to cutting-edge manufacturing data analytics and connectivity solutions.
Full Job Description
Role: Jr. Controls Engineer

Location: Fairport, NY

Your Impact

As a Junior Controls Engineer, you will support the design, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of manufacturing automation and control systems. Working closely with experienced engineers, manufacturing teams, and the Smart Factory Data Engineer, you will help connect production equipment to Qualitrol's digital manufacturing ecosystem. This role plays a key part in enabling reliable machine connectivity, data acquisition, and operational improvements that support our Industry 4.0 and Smart Factory initiatives.

Here's Where You'll Demonstrate Your Proficiency
  • Configure PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, sensors, and industrial devices to provide reliable operational data to manufacturing information systems.
  • Collaborate with the Smart Factory Data Engineer to enable secure connectivity between shop-floor equipment, Industrial IoT platforms, MES systems, and cloud-based analytics solutions.
  • Support implementation of industrial communication protocols including OPC-UA, MQTT, Ethernet/IP, and Modbus to improve equipment connectivity and data availability.
  • Assist in validating manufacturing data quality, equipment signals, and production event data used for dashboards, reporting, and operational analytics.
  • Participate in Smart Factory and Industry 4.0 initiatives by supporting connected manufacturing technologies, edge devices, and digital production systems.
  • Work with Operations, Quality, and IT to improve equipment performance, data visibility, and manufacturing efficiency through automation.
  • Analyze equipment and process performance data while partnering with the Smart Factory Data Engineer to improve manufacturing visibility, operational analytics, equipment utilization, OEE, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The Successful Candidate Will Demonstrate the Following Skills and Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electromechanical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related technical field.
  • 3+ years of experience in controls engineering, industrial automation, and manufacturing control systems.
  • Strong experience designing, programming, commissioning, and troubleshooting PLC platforms such as Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, Schneider Electric, or Mitsubishi.
  • Experience developing and supporting HMI and SCADA systems including FactoryTalk View, Ignition, WinCC, Wonderware, or equivalent platforms.
  • Strong knowledge of industrial communication protocols including Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus TCP, DeviceNet, OPC UA, and related industrial networking technologies.
  • Experience with variable frequency drives (VFDs), servo systems, motion control, robotics, machine vision, and automated manufacturing equipment.
  • Ability to read, interpret, and develop electrical schematics, control panel drawings, wiring diagrams, and P&IDs.
  • Demonstrated expertise in troubleshooting complex automation systems using structured root cause analysis and implementing sustainable corrective actions.
  • Experience leading automation and capital improvement projects while collaborating with Manufacturing, Quality, Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering teams.
  • Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, continuous improvement methodologies, and manufacturing performance metrics such as OEE.

Smart Manufacturing & Digital Skills
  • Experience utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to improve engineering productivity, troubleshooting, documentation, programming assistance, and process optimization.
  • Demonstrated willingness to continuously learn and adopt emerging AI technologies to enhance manufacturing, automation, and engineering processes.
  • Basic understanding of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) concepts connected manufacturing architectures, and Smart Factory initiatives.
  • Familiarity with manufacturing data collection systems, industrial historians, and production data analytics.
  • Exposure to industrial data connectivity technologies including OPC UA, MQTT, and industrial edge gateways.
  • Experience supporting manufacturing dashboards, KPI reporting, or production analytics is preferred.
  • Familiarity with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), ERP systems, SQL databases, or manufacturing data platforms is preferred.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with Software Engineering, IT, Data Engineering, and Digital Manufacturing teams to support factory automation and digital transformation initiatives.

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Pay Range
The salary range for this position (in local currency) is 103500.00-191900.00

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