Automation and Controls Engineer Jobs
Automation and Controls Engineer jobs are open across manufacturing, oil and gas, automotive, food and beverage, and utilities, from entry-level to senior and principal, with specializations in PLC programming, SCADA systems, and robotics integration. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 578+ Automation and Controls Engineer jobs
Controls & Automation Engineer
Location: North Little Rock, AR
Industry: Manufacturing
Position Type: Full-Time
About the Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced Controls & Automation Engineer to join a manufacturing operation in North Little Rock, Arkansas.
This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on engineering professional who enjoys designing automated systems, programming PLCs, solving complex equipment challenges, and leading automation projects from concept through commissioning.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in PLC programming, industrial automation, electrical controls design, and manufacturing equipment integration, along with the ability to develop reliable automation solutions that improve productivity and reduce equipment downtime.
This position combines hands-on technical engineering with project leadership and offers the opportunity to make a direct impact on manufacturing operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, program, and implement industrial control and automation systems for manufacturing equipment.
- Develop, troubleshoot, and maintain PLC, HMI, motion-control, robotics, and machine-vision applications.
- Create and maintain electrical schematics, control panel layouts, wiring diagrams, network diagrams, and technical documentation.
- Lead automation projects from initial design and specification through installation, commissioning, and production start-up.
- Develop and maintain controls architecture, programming standards, equipment specifications, and automation best practices.
- Troubleshoot complex electrical and controls issues and provide advanced technical support to maintenance and production teams.
- Program and integrate PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servo drives, industrial networks, and related automation equipment.
- Work with machine builders, equipment suppliers, and systems integrators on new equipment and automation upgrades.
- Support factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), equipment commissioning, and production launches.
- Identify recurring equipment problems and implement permanent corrective actions to improve reliability and minimize downtime.
- Develop and maintain PLC program backups, version control, engineering documentation, and change-management procedures.
- Collaborate with maintenance, production, engineering, and IT teams to integrate automation systems with plant operations.
- Support machine safety, industrial network security, and compliance with applicable electrical and automation standards.
- Provide technical guidance and training to controls technicians and maintenance personnel.
Required Qualifications
- 10+ years of experience designing, programming, troubleshooting, and commissioning industrial control and automation systems, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Strong hands-on experience with PLC programming and HMI development in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience designing industrial electrical control systems and creating electrical schematics.
- Strong knowledge of motor controls, VFDs, servo systems, industrial networks, sensors, instrumentation, and machine safety circuits.
- Experience managing automation projects from design through installation, commissioning, and production turnover.
- Ability to troubleshoot complex electrical and automation problems and perform root-cause analysis.
- Strong understanding of industrial electrical systems and control panel design.
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field. Significant directly relevant engineering experience may be considered in place of a degree.
- Willingness to work directly on the manufacturing floor when supporting equipment installations, troubleshooting, and production operations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation experience, including ControlLogix, CompactLogix, Studio 5000, and FactoryTalk.
- Experience with industrial robotics, servo motion, machine vision, and automated production systems.
- Familiarity with industrial Ethernet, OPC UA, SQL, data collection, and manufacturing-system integration.
- Experience with AutoCAD Electrical or similar electrical design software.
- Background developing PLC programming standards, reusable control architectures, and equipment specifications.
- Experience supporting metal stamping, injection molding, automated assembly, packaging, conveying, or material-handling equipment.
- Experience working with outside machine builders and automation integrators.
What Makes Someone Successful in This Role?
We're looking for more than someone who can troubleshoot a PLC.
The successful candidate will be an experienced automation engineer who can design control systems, write and modify PLC programs, develop electrical drawings, lead automation projects, and solve complex manufacturing equipment problems.
You should be comfortable taking ownership of automation projects while remaining hands-on with equipment and supporting maintenance and production teams.
Strong communication skills, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to develop practical, reliable automation solutions are essential.
Work Environment
This position involves working in both an engineering office and an active manufacturing environment. Occasional lifting of up to 35 pounds and physical activity associated with equipment inspections, commissioning, and troubleshooting may be required. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals.
Apply Today
If you are an experienced Controls Engineer, Automation Engineer, or Electrical Controls Engineer with strong PLC programming and industrial automation experience, we encourage you to apply.
Location: North Little Rock, Arkansas
Apply today to learn more about this opportunity!
You should be proficient in:
- Electrical Controls Design
- HMI Development
- Industrial Automation
- Motor Controls
- PLC Programming
- Servo Systems
- VFDs
- Machine Safety
See All 578+ Automation and Controls Engineer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsAutomation and Controls Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring
- SpaceX27
- Tesla23
- Veterans Prime14
- Keystone Clearwater Solutions13
- Anduril12
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services10
- Manufacturing8
- Staffing & Recruiting7
- Technology & Software5
- Energy4
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in automation and controls engineer jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, controls engineering, or a related field
- Hands-on PLC programming experience with Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or equivalent platforms
- Proficiency in SCADA and DCS configuration and troubleshooting
- Familiarity with industrial communication protocols such as Modbus, Profibus, or EtherNet/IP
- Experience with control panel design, wiring schematics, and electrical drawings
- ISA Certified Automation Professional or Functional Safety Engineer certification preferred
Tips for Your Automation and Controls Engineer Job Search
Tailor your resume to control systems platforms
Hiring managers scan for specific platform experience before reading anything else. Call out every PLC brand you've programmed, every SCADA or DCS you've configured, and every communication protocol you've used, right in your skills section.
List certifications alongside your degree
A CFSE, CACE, or ISA certification signals hands-on standards knowledge that a degree alone doesn't prove. Place these credentials near the top of your resume so a recruiter sees them without scrolling past your work history first.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists automation and controls engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by industry vertical, not just title
Controls work in a pharmaceutical cleanroom differs sharply from an automotive assembly line. Filtering openings by industry before applying lets you pitch relevant project examples and avoid roles where your platform experience won't transfer directly.
Prepare a panel interview with engineers and operations
Most hiring panels include at least one controls engineer and one operations or maintenance manager. Practice explaining the same commissioning story two ways: technically for the engineer and in business-impact terms for the operations lead.
Negotiate relocation for site-specific roles
Many controls positions require on-site commissioning or plant support and rarely offer full remote flexibility. If the role demands relocation, raise it during the offer stage rather than after, and ask specifically about a relocation package or sign-on offset.
Automation and Controls Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most automation and controls engineers?
The most active employers for automation and controls engineers right now are SpaceX, Tesla, and Veterans Prime, and the most openings are in Texas, California, and Florida, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is strongest in manufacturing and energy sectors, where plant modernization and automation investment have accelerated hiring.
How many automation and controls engineer jobs are remote?
About 28% of automation and controls engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most controls work. Sub-areas such as controls system design, software development for HMI and SCADA, and project engineering roles tend to offer the greatest flexibility compared to commissioning or field-service positions.
How do you become an automation and controls engineer?
Start with a bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering. Build PLC and SCADA hands-on experience through lab coursework, internships, or entry-level field technician roles. Pursue an ISA certification once you have practical experience, and develop fluency in at least one major controls platform before targeting mid-level positions.
How do you get hired as an automation and controls engineer with little experience?
Focus on roles titled controls technician, automation technician, or junior controls engineer, which typically accept candidates without full project ownership history. Demonstrating hands-on PLC work from a school project, personal lab setup, or internship carries significant weight. Employers in food and beverage and packaging often hire and train entry-level candidates more readily than heavy industry sectors.
What does the automation and controls engineer interview process look like?
Most processes begin with a recruiter screen, followed by a technical phone or video interview covering controls theory, platform experience, and troubleshooting scenarios. A panel interview with engineering and operations staff typically follows, often including a whiteboard or take-home design problem. Some employers add a site visit or plant walkthrough before extending an offer.
Where can I find and apply to automation and controls engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to automation and controls engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search for roles that match your platform experience, location preference, and industry background, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 578+ Automation and Controls Engineer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs