Controls Engineer
Advanced Drainage Systems · Hilliard, OH
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Travel
- 35%
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 2 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Advanced Drainage Systems (industrial) in Hilliard, OH. In this role, you will design, coordinate, and execute electrical and automation projects to support ADS Manufacturing.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- PLC, Robotics, Automation, AutoCAD
- Day to day
- about 35% 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
- Typical (5+ years)
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.
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 35% 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.
- Automation Engineer · Controls
Controls Engineer at Advanced Drainage Systems in other locations
Advanced Drainage Systems lists this title in 2 places. Pick the plant you can get to.
Full description from Advanced Drainage SystemsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
We are looking for an Controls Engineer to join our team! In this role, you will design, coordinate, and execute electrical and automation projects to support ADS Manufacturing. If you are passionate about automation and have strong technical skills, we would love to hear from you!
Key Responsibilities
- ◆Work closely with Production and Engineering teams to meet stakeholder needs.
- ◆Design electrical enclosures, sub-panel layouts, and wiring diagrams.
- ◆Ensure compliance with UL/CUL/CSA certifications and NFPA79 wiring standards.
- ◆Define scope of work and capture sequence of operation.
- ◆Maintain software, programs, drawings, and files.
- ◆Develop electrical panel designs and conduct design reviews.
- ◆Schedule, coordinate, and install equipment and upgrades.
- ◆Write PLC, HMI, and Drive programs for assigned projects.
- ◆Provide startup training on controls for production operators and plant maintenance.
- ◆Create necessary bill of materials.
- ◆Provide local and remote support to plants.
- ◆Assist in acceptance testing and debugging of equipment from OEMs.
- ◆Conduct machine and panel acceptance testing.
Qualifications
- ✓BS Electrical Engineering Degree or equivalent experience.
- ✓5+ years of manufacturing experience, preferably in the plastics industry.
- ✓5+ years of designing electrical control systems.
- ✓Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- ✓Experience with Microsoft Office Applications (Teams, OneNote, Office, Excel, Outlook).
- ✓Ability to communicate at all levels of the organization.
- ✓Self-motivated with a track record of completing projects on time and within budget.
- ✓Familiarity with applicable rules, regulations, best practices, and performance standards.
- ✓Experience troubleshooting electrical components, AC/DC motors/drives, and PLCs.
- ✓Proficiency in reading and creating electrical diagrams and panel layouts using AutoCAD or AutoCAD Electrical.
- ✓Experience with PLC and HMI programming for Automation Direct, Siemens, and Allen Bradley.
- ✓Familiarity with Allen Bradley RSLogix 5, 500 & Studio 5000, Siemens Step 7, ProTool, WinCC Software, Allen Bradley Factory Talk View, Yaskawa and Allen Bradley Variable Frequency Drives, B&R Automation Studio, Fanuc Robotics, Allen Bradley Kinetix Drives and Servo Motion, and Automation Direct DirectSoft 5 & C-More.
- ✓Ability to walk and crawl around equipment, kneel or sit in front of electrical panels, lift up to 25 lbs., and stand for long periods on concrete flooring.
- ✓Travel in the US and Canada required (30-35%).
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.
Skills & Competencies
- •Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- •Ability to communicate at all levels of the organization.
- •Self-motivated with a track record of completing projects on time and within budget.
- •Experience troubleshooting electrical components, AC/DC motors/drives, and PLCs.
- •Proficiency in reading and creating electrical diagrams and panel layouts using AutoCAD or AutoCAD Electrical.
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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