Industrial Automation Engineer (Controls)
Gerdau · Cartersville, GA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Metals
- Posted
- 14 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Gerdau (metals) in Cartersville, GA. Develop, modify, and optimize manufacturing control system software to meet evolving production goals.
- They ask for
- 3+ years
- Tools it names
- PLC, Automation
- Day to day
- relocation help
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in Georgia: typical posted base $86k–$120k.
Median of the low and high ends of 4 live postings that list pay, out of 18 controls engineer openings in Georgia, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Georgia plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 17 other live controls postings in Georgia.
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ PLC 83%
- ✓ Automation 83%
- Robotics 44%
- AutoCAD 28%
- Team leadership 28%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 22%
✓ = 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 Gerdau
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find 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.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- 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: Gerdau in Cartersville
2 other open roles at this site.
- Industrial Maintenance Mechanic - Melt Shop · Reliability · Technician
- Industrial Electrician · Reliability · Technician
Full description from GerdauAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
About the Role
We are seeking an Industrial Controls Automation Engineer to join our manufacturing team and play a critical role in advancing industrial automation and data-driven process improvements. This position blends hands-on control system engineering with data acquisition and analytics , ensuring our heavy manufacturing operations run safely, efficiently, and intelligently.
You’ll be part of a collaborative engineering team that values integrity, ownership, and innovation , while driving solutions that enhance steelmaking and other heavy industry processes. Safety is at the core of everything we do, and we expect every team member to lead by example in upholding our standards.
Education
BS in Mechatronics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering
Experience
3+ years in industrial automation controls and object-oriented software development
- ✓CapEx project experience
Heavy manufacturing industry background (steel, power, pulp & paper, chemical, raw materials)
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
At Gerdau, we empower our people to grow, thrive, and make a difference—together. With a culture built on trust and teamwork, we offer meaningful work, continuous development, and opportunities to shape your future. We invite you to come work with us, where your contributions are valued, your voice is heard, and your career is forged with purpose
Industrial Automation Engineer (Controls) - Level II
Cartersville, GA | Relocation Assistance Available (Within U.S. only)
What We Offer
- •Competitive pay and annual bonus
- •Day 1 Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Coverage
- •401(k) with 100% Match up to 6%
- •Life Insurance & Disability Insurance
- •Paid Parental Leave & Tuition Reimbursement
- •Career Path & Professional Development
What You’ll Do
Develop, modify, and optimize manufacturing control system software to meet evolving production goals.
Implement and maintain data acquisition systems (iBA software preferred) to support real-time analytics. Ability to develop and maintain dashboards and reports by integrating data from sources such as SQL Server, industrial historians, and data lakes.
Troubleshoot and resolve automation and control system issues, ensuring stability and uptime.
Collaborate with cross-functional engineers to solve interconnected system challenges.
Provide technical support and training for maintenance teams.
Manage projects and contractors, ensuring timely and safe execution.
Propose and implement innovative automation and data solutions to improve manufacturing efficiency.
Technical Skills
Programming: VB.Net, HTML, C, C#, Python, SCADA
Databases: Microsoft SQL, Oracle.
- •Intermediate understanding of SQL Server, with the ability to write queries involving joins, aggregations, and subqueries to extract and analyze operational and time-series data.
- •OPC UA for industrial integration and familiarity with data flow from PLC/SCADA systems into historians or databases.
Industrial Communications: Ethernet IP, Profinet, Profibus
Networking fundamentals, server management, and virtual machine hosting
- •Power BI preferred
Why Join Us?
Be part of a global leader in manufacturing with a strong commitment to innovation and safety.
Work on cutting-edge automation and data analytics projects that directly impact production efficiency.
Collaborate with a team that values honesty, ownership, and continuous improvement .
If you’re passionate about industrial automation, data analytics, and driving innovation in heavy manufacturing , we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and help us shape the future of steelmaking and industrial processes!
#AutomationEngineer #IndustrialAutomation #SmartManufacturing #ManufacturingEngineering #Electrical Engineering
If you are vision-impaired or have some other disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act / Accessible Canada Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to applying for employment at Gerdau, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team at (866)-788-2798 or recruiting@gerdau.com