Automations Controls Engineer
GPAC · Brentwood, TN
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Degree
- Preferred
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at GPAC (industrial) in Brentwood, TN.
- They ask for
- degree preferred
- Tools it names
- PLC, Automation
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in the US: typical posted base $97k–$143k.
Median of the low and high ends of 252 live postings that list pay, out of 735 controls engineer openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Tennessee plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 15 other live controls postings in Tennessee.
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ PLC 81%
- ✓ Automation 75%
- Robotics 69%
- Root cause 44%
- New product launch 31%
- Team leadership 31%
✓ = 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 GPAC
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.
Full description from GPACAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Primary Duties
- ◆Create drawings, checking material dimensions and relationship to other parts and to the entire structure or project on the drawing
- ◆Review the development plans for compliance with adopted engineering standards
- ◆Verifies dimensional accuracy of structural layouts and installations
- ◆Works with manufacturing, vendors and engineering to ensure documentation meets specifications
- ◆Must work with sales team and customers on design and applications
- ◆Constructs drawings from concepts or sketches
- ◆Review and critique proposed engineering standards, policies, or details
- ◆Act as project manager
Qualifications/Experience
- ✓Equivalent to a two- or four-year degree preferred with major course work in an engineering curriculum or a related area of study; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job
- ✓Knowledge of PLC programming
- ✓Knowledge of electrical circuits
- ✓Must have strong math skills including geometry and trigonometry
- ✓Excellent computer knowledge and skills with drafting programs
- ✓Excellent communication skills required
- ✓Must be detail oriented and possess a willingness to accept challenges and strive for continual improvement in all areas
- ✓Must be safety minded and practice shop safety
- ✓Must be self-motivated to work independently
If you would like to learn more about additional opportunities, contact Scott Slater directly by phone at 515-461-1578. Resumes may confidentially be sent to scott.slater@gogpac.com
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
This privately-owned company is rapidly growing and seeking an Automations Controls Engineer to design clear, complete and accurately working products and systems using CAD, rough or detailed sketches, and/or notes. For nearly a decade, they have been producing innovative and reliable products that have now put them in the forefront of the manufacturing industry in a global market specifically when it comes to automation. A competitive salary, comprehensive insurance package, generous PTO, and 401K retirement plan are some of the benefits you will enjoy.