Lead Control Engineer

Location: Holcomb, KS 67851
Duration: 12 Months
Employment Type: Contract

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Lead Control Engineer to provide technical leadership and hands-on support for industrial automation and information systems within a manufacturing environment. This role will be responsible for troubleshooting, programming, commissioning, and maintaining PLC-based control systems, plant automation, material-handling equipment, SCADA/HMI systems, and industrial communication networks.

The ideal candidate will have strong experience with Schneider Electric/Modicon PLCs, industrial controls, conveyors, scanners, sensors, drives, HMIs, SCADA systems, and plant-floor troubleshooting. This position will support both legacy and modern control systems while contributing to upgrades, modernization, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical direction, recommendations, and hands-on support for automation and information systems.
• Develop, implement, maintain, and troubleshoot technology solutions supporting critical manufacturing operations.
• Diagnose and resolve complex issues involving PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, industrial networks, field devices, and automated equipment.
• Program, commission, modify, and troubleshoot PLC-based control systems in an industrial environment.
• Work with Schneider Electric/Modicon PLCs, including both current and legacy control platforms.
• Troubleshoot automated production and material-handling equipment in a live manufacturing environment.
• Support conveyors, motors, variable-frequency drives, sensors, photo eyes, interlocks, sequencing systems, and related equipment.
• Troubleshoot and integrate industrial barcode, scanning, and vision systems.
• Support equipment utilizing Keyence, Cognex, and SICK platforms.
• Diagnose issues across PLC, HMI/SCADA, electrical, communications, and connected equipment to identify root causes.
• Support and troubleshoot Ignition and iFIX SCADA/HMI environments.
• Troubleshoot industrial communication issues between PLCs, scanners, field devices, HMIs, and plant-floor systems.
• Assist with controls upgrades, equipment replacements, modernization projects, and system improvements.
• Interpret electrical schematics and control-system documentation to diagnose faults and restore equipment uptime.
• Develop, review, and modify system specifications, configurations, programs, and technical documentation.
• Follow established information systems standards, development methodologies, policies, and best practices.
• Evaluate technology solutions and provide recommendations regarding hardware, software, equipment, and system improvements.
• Work with vendors, technical personnel, management, and cross-functional teams to resolve technical issues and implement solutions.
• Develop and execute integrated test plans for systems and automation solutions.
• Assist with project planning, implementation, and basic project management activities.
• Stay current with emerging automation, controls, networking, and information-system technologies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Automation, or another technical discipline preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience may be considered.

Professional Experience

• 6+ years of experience in Information Systems, Industrial Automation, Controls Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Proven programming and troubleshooting experience in industrial or manufacturing environments.
• Hands-on experience supporting automated production and material-handling systems.

PLC & Controls

• Strong hands-on experience with PLC programming, commissioning, troubleshooting, and controls systems.
• Experience with Schneider Electric / Modicon PLCs is highly preferred.
• Knowledge of both modern and legacy control systems.
• Strong understanding of ladder logic and structured programming.
• Experience with I/O mapping and HMI integration.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics and troubleshoot control-system faults.

Plant Automation & Material Handling

• Experience troubleshooting automated manufacturing and production equipment.
• Knowledge of conveyors, motors, drives, sensors, photo eyes, interlocks, sequencing, and material-handling systems.
• Strong plant-floor diagnostic and root-cause analysis skills.

SCADA / HMI

• Experience with SCADA and HMI systems, particularly Ignition and iFIX.
• Ability to troubleshoot issues across PLC, SCADA/HMI, field devices, and connected equipment.

Scanning & Identification Systems

• Experience integrating and troubleshooting industrial barcode, scanning, and vision systems.
• Experience with Keyence, Cognex, and/or SICK equipment is highly relevant.

Industrial Networks & Communications

• Ability to troubleshoot communications between PLCs, scanners, field devices, HMIs, SCADA systems, and other plant-floor technologies.
• Understanding of industrial communication and networking concepts.

Programming & Systems

• Strong knowledge of multiple technologies, including:
  • SCADA
  • PLC programming
  • 4GL programming
  • Scripting
  • Server-based systems
  • SQL
• Experience with system development lifecycle methodologies.
• Experience developing, reviewing, and modifying technical specifications, configurations, and programs.

Communication & Problem Solving

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to explain complex technical information to non-technical personnel.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis skills.
• Ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams.

Preferred Skills

• Schneider Electric / Modicon PLC experience
• Ignition and iFIX SCADA experience
• Keyence, Cognex, and SICK systems
• Industrial barcode and machine-vision systems
• Conveyor and material-handling controls
• Industrial networking and communications
• Electrical troubleshooting and schematic interpretation
• Controls modernization and system upgrades
• Experience working with both legacy and modern automation systems
• Basic project management experience