Senior Controls Engineer

Company: GLOBAL Recruitment Solutions LLC
Location: State College
Posted on: February 14, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Senior Controls Engineer Location: McElhattan, PA Direct Hire We are seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to join our manufacturing facility in McElhattan, PA. This role is responsible for specifying, designing, implementing, and upgrading advanced control systems and automation solutions across production equipment and associated machinery. The Controls Engineer will serve as a technical leader and mentor, working closely with Engineering, Maintenance, and Production teams to drive equipment performance, reliability, and continuous improvement. This position has a direct impact on plant performance through machine optimization and engineering-based upkeep. Key Responsibilities Collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance, Production, OEMs, vendors, and contractors to design, install, commission, and start up new equipment and process control systems Review and approve electrical and controls component selection, electrical designs, and control system software modifications Lead machine acceptance testing, identify performance gaps, and resolve startup and commissioning issues Specify, design, and support DCS, PLC, HMI, servo systems, motors, drives, sensors, vision systems, and data collection platforms in alignment with First Quality controls standards Evaluate automation and electrical equipment from multiple suppliers and recommend optimal solutions Design and implement complex program modifications in PLC logic, DCS systems, HMI applications, and servo controllers to improve equipment and system performance Perform advanced troubleshooting of electrical, mechanical, and process issues, leading and mentoring others through root-cause resolution Partner with the internal MES team to develop, improve, and maintain machine data collection systems Lead and support small capital improvement projects Stay current on emerging controls technologies, industry trends, and applicable health and safety standards Proactively identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, reliability, and throughput Initiate, lead, and manage continuous improvement initiatives from concept through completion Provide technical and operational training to Controls, Production, Maintenance, Warehouse, and other teams Foster a sense of urgency and accountability while maintaining a strong safety-first mindset Support off-shift and after-hours troubleshooting as required Qualifications Bachelors degree in one of the following or a related field: Electrical Engineering Electro-Mechanical Engineering Mechatronics Automation Engineering Robotics Engineering Manufacturing Engineering Minimum of 8 years of experience working with industrial control systems in a manufacturing environment Advanced knowledge of electrical theory and industrial automation principles Strong hands-on experience with PLC hardware and software (Rockwell and Siemens), servo control systems, and HMIs Ability to create and modify electrical schematics using AutoCAD Working knowledge of mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems Formal training in functional machine safety and safe machine design, including Safety Risk Assessments Knowledge of or formal training in Industrial Automation Security (ISO 62443) Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt experience (preferred, not required) Root Cause Analysis experience (preferred, not required) Strong verbal and written communication skills, including technical documentation Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Outlook and Excel Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment Work Environment & Physical Requirements Regular exposure to electrical and mechanical equipment Occasional exposure to high-noise environments Potential exposure to dust during certain tasks Ability to work overtime, weekends, and be on-call as needed

Keywords: GLOBAL Recruitment Solutions LLC, Penn Hills , Senior Controls Engineer, Engineering , State College, Pennsylvania