Lead Controls Engineer 

Location: Holcomb, KS (100% Onsite)
Contract Duration: 12 Months
Work Schedule: Monday–Friday
Openings: 2

Shift Options:

• 1st Shift: 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• 2nd Shift: 3:00 PM – 12:00 AM

Pay Rate: $90/hour

Travel Support: Non-local candidates are welcome to apply. Reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses, including flights, meals, and accommodation, is available through a lump-sum arrangement. Reimbursement is based on reasonable expenses and does not follow GSA guidelines.

Non-Negotiable Skills:

• Schneider PLC experience is a must
  
• iFix (Must Have)
  
• SCADA: Must-have (not optional)

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Lead Controls Engineer to support industrial automation, PLC programming, SCADA systems, and plant-floor controls operations. The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on experience with Schneider Electric/Modicon PLCs, legacy control systems, and industrial automation technologies.

This role involves troubleshooting existing systems, supporting ongoing operations, and contributing to controls modernization and system transition initiatives. The successful candidate must be comfortable reading, understanding, and modifying code while diagnosing complex issues across PLCs, HMIs, SCADA platforms, industrial networks, and connected equipment.

The Lead Controls Engineer will also provide technical guidance, support system upgrades, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and help ensure reliable operation of automated manufacturing and material-handling systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead PLC programming, troubleshooting, commissioning, and maintenance activities in an industrial environment.
• Support Schneider Electric/Modicon PLC systems, including legacy platforms and existing control architectures.
• Read, understand, modify, and troubleshoot existing code to support current systems and modernization efforts.
• Diagnose and resolve issues involving PLCs, SCADA, HMI systems, industrial networks, and connected equipment.
• Troubleshoot automated production equipment and material-handling systems in a live manufacturing environment.
• Support conveyors, motors, drives, sensors, photo eyes, interlocks, and automated sequencing systems.
• Integrate, configure, and troubleshoot industrial barcode scanners, vision systems, and identification equipment.
• Support industrial scanning and vision platforms, including Keyence, Cognex, and SICK.
• Troubleshoot communication issues between PLCs, field devices, scanners, HMIs, and plant-floor systems.
• Work with SCADA and HMI platforms, including iFix and Ignition, to maintain reliable system operation.
• Assist with controls upgrades, equipment replacements, system transitions, and modernization initiatives.
• Interpret electrical schematics, perform root-cause analysis, and restore equipment functionality while minimizing downtime.
• Develop, review, and modify technical specifications, configurations, programs, and coding standards.
• Develop and execute integrated test plans to validate system functionality and performance.
• Provide technical direction and recommendations to team members and management.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, engineering, IT, and other cross-functional teams.
• Support system development lifecycle methodologies, technical documentation, and established engineering standards.
• Evaluate technical solutions and recommend improvements to system performance, reliability, and maintainability.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or another relevant technical discipline. Equivalent work experience may be considered.
• At least 6 years of experience in Information Systems, industrial controls, automation, or a related technical field.
• Proven programming experience, including the ability to read, understand, troubleshoot, and modify existing code.
• Strong hands-on experience with Schneider Electric/Modicon PLCs is mandatory.
• Experience with iFix is mandatory.
• SCADA experience is mandatory.
• Knowledge of legacy Schneider control systems and the ability to support existing systems during transitions to newer technologies.
• Experience programming, commissioning, and troubleshooting PLC-based control systems in industrial environments.
• Strong understanding of ladder logic, structured programming, I/O mapping, HMI integration, and electrical schematics.
• Experience with SCADA, 4GL programming, scripting, server-based technologies, and SQL.
• Experience troubleshooting automated production equipment and material-handling systems.
• Strong understanding of industrial communication networks and connectivity between control systems and field devices.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience developing and executing test plans and working collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

Preferred Technical Experience

PLC and Industrial Controls

• Schneider Electric/Modicon PLCs.
• Legacy PLC systems and newer control platforms.
• PLC programming, commissioning, troubleshooting, and system upgrades.

SCADA and HMI Systems

• iFix and Ignition.
• HMI configuration, integration, and troubleshooting.
• Diagnosing issues across PLC, SCADA, HMI, and connected equipment.

Plant Automation and Material Handling

• Automated manufacturing and production equipment.
• Conveyors, motors, drives, sensors, photo eyes, interlocks, and sequencing systems.
• Industrial barcode scanning and vision systems.
• Keyence, Cognex, and SICK equipment.

Industrial Networks and Communications

• Troubleshooting communication issues between PLCs, scanners, HMIs, field devices, and other plant-floor systems.
• Understanding industrial control system connectivity and integration.

System Modernization

• Supporting legacy equipment and control systems.
• Controls upgrades, equipment replacements, and modernization initiatives.
• Root-cause analysis across electrical, controls, communications, and mechanical equipment interfaces.

Key Skills

• Schneider Electric/Modicon PLCs
• Legacy PLC Systems
• PLC Programming and Troubleshooting
• SCADA Systems
• iFix
• Ignition
• HMI Integration
• Ladder Logic and Structured Programming
• Industrial Automation
• Conveyor and Material-Handling Controls
• Barcode Scanning and Vision Systems
• Keyence, Cognex, and SICK
• Industrial Networks and Communications
• SQL and Scripting
• Electrical Schematics
• Root-Cause Analysis
• Controls Upgrades and Modernization
• System Integration and Testing