Controls Engineer in Tonawanda

Job DescriptionJob Description

Controls Engineer III (Automation & Manufacturing Systems)

Location: Tonawanda, NY
Company: [Confidential]

Pay: Up to $50.00 per hour (DOE)

About the Opportunity

[Confidential] is seeking an experienced Controls Engineer III to support a high-volume manufacturing environment focused on advanced automation, robotics, and smart factory technologies. This position offers the opportunity to work directly with next- Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), fleet management systems, robotics, PLC-controlled equipment, and automated material handling technologies.

This is a highly hands-on role with approximately 80–90% of time spent on the manufacturing floor, supporting production, maintenance, troubleshooting, commissioning, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Controls Engineering

• Design and develop:
• • Pneumatic piping diagrams
  • Hydraulic piping diagrams
  • Electrical wiring diagrams
  • Electrical control panels
  • PLC software
  • Human Machine Interface (HMI) software
• Support equipment startup, commissioning, debugging, and system validation.
• Provide technical support for equipment installation and plant personnel training.
• Create and maintain automation documentation, process flows, operating procedures, and project records.

Manufacturing & Automation Support

• Troubleshoot automated manufacturing equipment and production systems.
• Support maintenance and operations teams during equipment failures and production interruptions.
• Utilize PLC platforms primarily for diagnostics and troubleshooting.
• Review controls logic and identify root causes of automation issues.
• Assist with capital projects involving:
• • Advanced automation
  • Robotics
  • Automated material handling systems
  • Smart factory initiatives

AMR & Robotics Support

• Troubleshoot Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) including:
• • Routing
  • Navigation
  • Communications
  • Material delivery interruptions
• Support fleet management software and automated transportation systems.
• Participate in AMR and collaborative robot (Cobot) startup, commissioning, testing, and production launch activities.
• Partner with operations, maintenance, logistics, and materials teams to increase automation efficiency and uptime.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or a related technical field
• 5–7 years of Controls Engineering experience
• Experience with:
• • PLC hardware and software applications
  • Servo drive hardware and software
  • AutoCAD
  • Electrical control systems
  • Manufacturing automation environments
• Knowledge of basic electrical and safety standards
• Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills
• Ability to supervise projects and support cross-functional teams

Technical Experience

Experience with any of the following is highly desirable:

• Siemens PLCs
• Allen Bradley / Rockwell Automation systems
• HMI development and support
• Fanuc Robots and Cobots
• Cognex AI Vision Systems
• Dalsa Vision Systems
• Matrox Vision Systems
• OTTO Autonomous Mobile Robots
• Bastian Automated Forklift Systems
• Automated material handling systems
• Manufacturing equipment procurement and implementation