Job Description

About the Role

Pinnacle Partners is recruiting for a Controls/Electrical Engineer in Lafayette, IN. This is a hands-on engineering and programming position supporting manufacturing operations on first shift. The ideal candidate will have experience troubleshooting and editing PLC programs, working with Allen Bradley/Rockwell and Siemens controls, and supporting automated manufacturing equipment directly on the production floor. This role is approximately 70% floor-based and 30% office/admin, with a strong emphasis on hands-on troubleshooting, machine uptime, controls programming, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work hands-on with Maintenance and Controls Technicians to troubleshoot, repair, and maintain manufacturing equipment.
• Troubleshoot electrical, controls, and automated equipment directly on the manufacturing floor.
• Support equipment including wire draw lines, take-ups, re-winders, ovens, annealers, and other manufacturing machinery.
• Troubleshoot and edit PLC programs to identify and resolve equipment issues and improve machine operation.
• Work with Siemens and Rockwell/Allen Bradley controls, including RSLogix 500, RSLogix 5000, Studio 5000, FactoryTalk, EZ Series, and C-more.
• Troubleshoot and program HMIs and automated equipment.
• Perform Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) programming and troubleshooting.
• Provide electrical engineering support, troubleshooting, and repair assistance to manufacturing operations.
• Manage assigned engineering projects while meeting design, cost, installation, and timing requirements.
• Assist with CAPEX projects and equipment or facility enhancements.
• Support plant engineering initiatives involving equipment purchases, capital expenditures, environmental programs, security, and safety.
• Support electrical systems operating at 480V and below.
• Troubleshoot power distribution systems and electrical equipment.
• Apply knowledge of electrical codes and safe electrical practices.
• Document all changes made to PLC and controls programs.
• Maintain accurate records of programming changes, modifications, and equipment improvements.
• Work directly with Maintenance and Controls Technicians to diagnose equipment problems and implement solutions.
• Use a hands-on approach to resolve issues quickly and keep production equipment operating.
• Interface with internal departments, contractors, vendors, and other external parties as needed.
• Support continuous improvement and cost-reduction initiatives across manufacturing operations.
• Adapt to a fast-paced, constantly changing manufacturing environment with new equipment, projects, and priorities.
• Balance approximately 70% floor-based troubleshooting and engineering work with 30% office, administrative, documentation, and reporting responsibilities.
• Take ownership of assigned projects and independently drive them through completion.
• Support the continued expansion and modernization of manufacturing equipment and processes.
• Work closely with Maintenance, Controls, Engineering, Operations, and other plant personnel to maintain equipment reliability and production uptime.

Requirements:

• Associate's degree in Engineering or a related field required; Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a similar discipline preferred.
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting manufacturing equipment and electrical/controls systems.
• Experience working directly on the manufacturing floor rather than exclusively in a design or office-based engineering environment.
• Experience with Allen Bradley/Rockwell or Siemens PLC systems; Siemens experience strongly preferred.
• Experience editing and troubleshooting PLC code; ability to modify existing programs rather than primarily developing programs from scratch.
• Experience with HMI programming and troubleshooting.
• Experience with Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs).
• Experience working with electrical systems operating at 480V and below.
• Knowledge of power distribution systems and electrical troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of electrical codes and basic electrical engineering calculations.
• Experience documenting changes made to PLC and controls programs.
• Demonstrated project management experience, including managing engineering projects through implementation.
• Ability to troubleshoot equipment issues quickly and work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability and willingness to work directly with Maintenance and Controls Technicians on the production floor.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of assigned projects.
• Ability to communicate effectively with Maintenance, Engineering, Operations, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work Monday through Friday on first shift, beginning at approximately 7:00 AM.
• Willingness to work overtime as needed to support production and complete projects.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related field.
• Strong Siemens PLC experience.
• Experience with Siemens and Rockwell/Allen Bradley controls.
• Experience with RSLogix 500, RSLogix 5000, Studio 5000, FactoryTalk, EZ Series, or C-more.
• AutoCAD experience or other electrical/design software experience.
• Six Sigma certification.
• Experience with electrical panel design.
• Experience with equipment layouts.
• Lean manufacturing experience.
• Experience in an automotive manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting cost-reduction and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience with capital equipment projects.
• Experience supporting new equipment installation and commissioning.
• Experience in a fast-paced manufacturing environment with frequent equipment changes and new machine installations.
• Experience troubleshooting wire manufacturing, heat treating, ovens, or similar industrial processing equipment.

Benefits Overview:

• $80,000-$100,000 per year based on experiencec.
• Discretionary companywide performance bonus ranging from 0–5% of prior-year base salary based on company KPI performance.
• Medical insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Life insurance.
• 401(k) with employer matching.
• Health Savings Account.
• Educational assistance and tuition reimbursement.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Employee referral program.
• Monday–Friday, first-shift schedule beginning at approximately 7:00 AM.
• Opportunity to work with new equipment and support continued manufacturing expansion.

Explore More Engineering Opportunities

This role falls within our Engineering/Manufacturing division, where we specialize in placing professionals in areas such as:

• Mechanical/Electrical Engineering
• Manufacturing/Process Engineering
• Controls Engineering
• Project Engineering
• Technical Sales
• Operations / Plant Engineering

Explore additional Engineering roles and learn more about how we support Engineering professionals:

Find Jobs or Manufacturing & Engineering Opportunities

Not the right fit?

We're hiring across multiple divisions including:

• Human Resources
• Administrative & Customer Service
• Information Technology
• Accounting & Finance