Automation Engineer
Advanced Drainage Systems · Hilliard, OH
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Travel
- 30%
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 6+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Advanced Drainage Systems (industrial) in Hilliard, OH.
- They ask for
- 6+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, PLC, Robotics, Automation
- Day to day
- about 30% travel
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in Ohio: typical posted base $100k–$148k.
Median of the low and high ends of 9 live postings that list pay, out of 38 controls engineer openings in Ohio, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Ohio plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 37 other live controls postings in Ohio.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (6+ vs 5+)
Typical $100k–$148k, from 9 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ PLC 79%
- ✓ Automation 79%
- ✓ Robotics 68%
- Team leadership 32%
- AutoCAD 24%
- Root cause 24%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Six Sigma, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Advanced Drainage Systems
We found 2 people at this company and state: 2 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Bill → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- The posting says about 30% travel. Between which sites?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Advanced Drainage Systems in Hilliard
1 other open role at this site · 2 people we found in controls roles at Advanced Drainage Systems.
- Controls Engineer · Controls
Full description from Advanced Drainage SystemsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
requirements
while leading and tracking capital projects that drive automation initiatives across the ADS network.
Primary Job
Responsibilities
The
Requirements
- ✓Bachelors’ Degree in Mechanical/Industrial/Electrical Engineering or equivalent
Preferred Experience
- ✓6+ years of manufacturing and operations experience
- ✓Experience in capital project development and execution
- ✓Vendor and supplier management experience
- ✓Experience mentoring and developing team members or project managers
- ✓Project management of large capital initiatives
- ✓Researching and developing new manufacturing processes
Other
Requirements
- ✓Ability to travel approximately 30% to support project implementation, commissioning activities, vendor management, and plant operations.
- ✓Travel is primarily domestic, with occasional international travel as business needs require.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Overview
Advanced Drainage Systems is a leading manufacturer of stormwater and onsite septic wastewater solutions, committed to sustainability and innovation. With a vast manufacturing and distribution network, we deliver high-quality products across multiple industries while recycling over half a billion pounds of plastic annually. At ADS, we foster a culture where diverse perspectives drive better ideas, ensuring every employee feels valued, heard, and empowered to make an impact.
Summary
The Automation Engineer supports all aspects of ADS automation and control systems development, integration, and implementation. This role leverages a strong technical background to design, deploy, and optimize automated systems that deliver measurable operational results. Through disciplined project management, the Automation Engineer ensures systems meet evolving process and business
of this position include, but are not limited to
- •Manage automation projects to ensure delivery dates, scope, and financial targets are met.
- •Develop business cases for new capital projects.
- •Lead capital projects using sound project management processes and principles.
- •Facilitate training for plant personnel to support new technologies.
- •Support plant integration projects and provide post‑implementation assistance.
- •Work closely with maintenance teams to ensure smooth, continuous operations.
- •Manage internal, external, direct, and indirect project team resources.
- •Communicate effectively at all organizational levels; strong presentation skills required.
- •Manage multiple complex, multi‑faceted projects simultaneously.
- •Align teams to defined project charters, goals, and metrics.
- •Apply systematic problem‑solving tools to resolve technical challenges.
- •Manage capital equipment suppliers and maintain strong vendor relationships.
- •Coordinate stakeholder alignment across departments.
- •Partner with IT and plant teams to implement system upgrades aligned with future manufacturing vision
This position should possess the following skills/knowledge
- •Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills.
- •Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
- •Understanding of manufacturing operations and supply chain processes.
- •Robotic automation experience ( Fanuc preferred ).
- •PLC/HMI knowledge ( Allen‑Bradley preferred ).
- •Working knowledge of machine safety and ergonomics.
- •Basic mechanical design capability.
- •Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.
- •Capital project and supplier management experience.
- •Experience with pneumatic systems.
- •Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma process control.
Company Benefits
Health & Welfare Benefits: Medical and prescription drug plans, telemedicine (with medical plan), High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and Health Savings Account (HSA), dental and vision plans, virtual physical therapy*, an employee assistance program (EAP)*, and voluntary accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnification programs.
Financial Benefits: Retirement 401k program with company match, an employee stock purchase plan (voluntary), financial wellness planning*, paid parental leave*, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for child care and health care, short-term and long-term disability*, basic life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)*, adoption financial reimbursement*, tuition reimbursement*, voluntary life insurance (for employees, spouses, and children), and voluntary identity theft and fraud protection.
- •100% paid by ADS.
Why Join ADS?
Growth Opportunities & Global Presence: With a global network of approximately 70 manufacturing plants and 40 distribution centers, ADS offers extensive opportunities for career growth and development in various locations around the world.
Inclusive and Creative Work Culture: ADS fosters a culture of passion, innovation, and continuous improvement, empowering employees to shape industry-leading solutions. We value diverse perspectives, recognizing that they drive better ideas, processes, and performance. Our workplace is built on respect, inclusivity, and shared responsibility, ensuring every team member feels valued and contributes to our collective success.
Innovative & Sustainability Focused: Advanced Drainage Systems is one of the largest plastic recyclers in North America, ensuring over half a billion pounds of plastic is kept out of landfills every year.
Learn More: https://www.adspipe.com/about-us
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