Controls Engineer - III
Sortation Labs LLC · Louisville, KY
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Controls
- Travel
- 50%
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 6+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
A senior controls role at Sortation Labs LLC (industrial) in Louisville, KY.
- They ask for
- 6+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- PLC, AutoCAD
- Day to day
- about 50% travel
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in Kentucky: typical posted base $90k–$141k.
Median of the low and high ends of 3 live postings that list pay, out of 16 controls engineer openings in Kentucky, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Kentucky plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 15 other live controls postings in Kentucky.
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (6+ vs 60+)
Similar roles usually ask 60+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ PLC 75%
- Automation 75%
- Robotics 63%
- Root cause 44%
- Team leadership 31%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 25%
✓ = 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 Sortation Labs LLC
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?
- The posting says about 50% 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.
Full description from Sortation Labs LLCAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Job summary
The Controls Engineer III is responsible for leading all phases of a controls project to include concept and research, estimating support, component selection, network design, panel design, layout, device troubleshooting, PLC and HMI programming; on-site installation and debug; and after-sales support while working independently. A successful Controls Engineer III has an expert level of knowledge and understanding of the full scope of controls engineering practices, theories, and PLC programming to implement the controls for a project from concept to completion. The Controls Engineer III serves as a subject matter expert and resource for their team and provides coaching and guidance while working at a job site or in-office collaboration. To keep their knowledge up-to-date, the Controls Engineer III will attend training in the latest controls technology and have the ability to share that knowledge with less experienced controls engineers as well as work collaboratively with the Engineering Manager to provide insight on the latest advancements in the field of controls engineering to implement new standards for the company.
Essential functions
- ◆Expert understanding of AC/DC control systems.
- ◆Use of computer software for design engineering and PLC programing.
- ◆Capable of trouble shooting a system and communicate status – verbally and written.
- ◆Assist and support the process for designing and delivering successful control.
- ◆Designing and developing layouts for electrical circuits or systems for power and control distribution.
- ◆Develop/create electrical diagrams with expert level of efficiency.
- ◆Ability to locate and correct mistakes in electrical diagrams developed by others on the team and use this information as a training opportunity for others to foster the continuous improvement of their skills. (Transfer of knowledge)
- ◆Be the controls lead and manage other engineers on project teams.
- ◆Capable of creating functional system test plans for use in field commissioning and provide written descriptions of system operations for technical documents.
- ◆Communicate with other team members effectively and keep Administrative Coordinator advised of schedule; checking and using voicemail and email diligently; and maintaining the team relationship.
- ◆Other
responsibilities
as needed.
requirements
of the project as needed.
Required knowledge, skills and abilities
- ✓Advanced proficiency in several programming languages and control device networks for PLCs with good aptitude for learning the programming for new/additional systems.
- ✓Ability to read and understand written specifications, as well as contract drawings and be capable of developing a complete design that meets these
requirements
within the electrical design standards and quotation presented for a project. Has knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures with controls, material handling, and manufacturing.
- ✓Ability to check diagrams to correct errors and use that information as a training opportunity / transfer of knowledge to foster a continuous improvement environment to further develop the skills of less experienced controls engineers
- ✓Demonstrates effective organizational skills and multi-tasking abilities, has an acute attention to detail, the ability to receive direction and be a high-energy team player with the ability to work independently, as well as in a group environment.
- ✓Critical thinker and problem-solver
- ✓Self-starting instincts and strong analytical skills
- ✓Excellent verbal and written communications skills
- ✓Willingness to travel to customer facilities as needed and work non-business hours based on project and customer needs.
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor's degree in engineering – preferably EE, EET or CECS, or equivalent work experience
- ✓6+ years in the field or related area.
- ✓Experience Required:
- ✓PLC programming, debugging and commissioning
- ✓Plan/hardware design
- ✓AutoCAD (AutoCAD E desired)
- ✓Microsoft Office Suite
- ✓Basic knowledge of electrical equipment and local building codes such as UL508a, NEC and NFPA
- ✓Experience Preferred:
- ✓Hands-on mechanical and electrical capabilities
- ✓Troubleshooting
- ✓Material Handling specifically the Parcel and Warehouse & Distribution Industry
- ✓Understanding VFDs, Servos, sensors and Vision Systems.
- ✓Legally authorized to work in the United States
- ✓Ability to obtain facility secu
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Description
JOB TITLE: Controls Engineer III
REPORTS TO: Engineering Manager
JOB STATUS: Full Time
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
Work environment
- •Office setting and field locations.
- •Collaborative, engaging and success driven culture
- •Travel up to 50% or more
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- •Sitting for prolonged periods of time when in office
- •Standing and walking for prolonged periods of time when at a jobsite
- •Climbing may be required when working at a jobsite
- •Repetitive typing/data entry
- •Lifting up to 50 pounds
WORK SCHEDULE: This position works in office when not traveling to job sites. General office hours are M-F, 7a-4p or 8a-5p. Working hours will vary when working at a job site to meet the
