Controls Engineer
Smiths Group · Arden, NC
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 6 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Smiths Group (industrial) in Arden, NC.
- They ask for
- 3+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, PLC, Automation, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, MES
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
How this role compares
Against 35 other live controls postings in North Carolina.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 6+)
Typical $108k–$154k, from 6 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 6+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 78%
- ✓ PLC 72%
- Robotics 36%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 31%
- ✓ AutoCAD 25%
- ✓ MES 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 Smiths Group
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 Smiths GroupAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Qualifications/requirements
- ✓Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related engineering discipline.
- ✓Equivalent combination of education and relevant industry experience may be considered
- ✓3+ years of experience in industrial automation or controls engineering
- ✓Hands-on programming and troubleshooting multiple platforms of PLCs.
- ✓HMI/SCADA Development
- ✓CAD experience, such as AutoCAD Electrical or EPLAN.
- ✓Troubleshooting of electrical and automation systems.
- ✓Electrical safety and lockout/tagout procedures
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
JOB SUMMARY: The Controls Engineer is responsible for the design, development, programming, commissioning, and support of industrial control systems and control panels used in manufacturing, process, and automation environments. This role will lead the implementation of PLC, HMI, SCADA, VFD, and industrial networking solutions utilizing Siemens, Emerson, ABB, and Allen-Bradley (et al) platforms. The engineer will work closely with customers, sales, engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to deliver reliable, safe, and compliant automation solutions.
Control Panel Design
- •Design industrial control panels in accordance with UL 508A, UL698A, NEC and applicable customer standards.
- •Create and maintain panel layouts, electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and bill of materials using Solidworks, Draftsight, EPLAN, ERP or similar software.
- •Specify and select components including:
- •PLCs
- •HMIs
- •Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)
- •Motor starters
- •Safety relays
- •I/O devices
- •Industrial networking equipment
PLC & HMI Programming
- •Develop, modify, and troubleshoot PLC programs utilizing:
- •Siemens S7-1200, S7-1500, ET200 platforms (TIA Portal)
- •Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, CompactLogix, MicroLogix (Studio 5000 / RSLogix)
- •Emerson PACSystems and process automation platforms
- •ABB AC500 and distributed control technologies
- •Promote safety, continuous improvement, and LEAN problem-solving practices.
- •Develop HMI and SCADA applications using:
- •Siemens WinCC
- •Rockwell FactoryTalk View
- •Emerson Operator Interface Solutions
- •ABB Automation Builder and visualization platforms
- •Implement process control strategies including PID loops, sequencing, interlocks, alarming, and safety functions.
Industrial Networking and Integration
- •Configure and troubleshoot industrial communication networks including:
- •Ethernet/IP
- •Profinet
- •Modbus TCP/IP
- •Modbus RTU
- •Profibus
- •OPC UA
- •Integrate PLCs with:
- •SCADA systems
- •MES systems
- •Third-party automation equipment
Testing and Commissioning
- •Perform Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT).
- •Lead startup and commissioning activities at customer facilities.
- •Troubleshoot electrical and automation systems during installation and production startup.
- •Validate system performance against customer specifications and design requirements.
- •Develop test procedures and commissioning documentation.