Controls Engineer

Our Company

Derrick® is a family-owned and operated company with a global presence focused on pioneering fine-separation technology. Since 1951, Derrick has expanded its product portfolio to serve a variety of challenging markets within the Mining & Industrial, Oil & Gas Drilling, and Civil Construction industries. Derrick remains committed to providing the latest technological enhancements that evolve alongside industry best practices and market developments. Derrick's corporate headquarters, in-house manufacturing facility, and Mining & Industrial are based out of Derrick Corporation in Buffalo, New York, while Oil & Gas Drilling and Underground Construction & Aggregates are run out of its Houston, Texas office. This year, 2026 marks our 75th year in operation, which speaks to our enduring legacy and global presence.

5 days onsite, Monday-Friday

No relocation packages offered

MUST already be local to the Buffalo market

Summary

The Controls Engineer is responsible for the design, development, implementation, and support of industrial automation and control systems supporting manufacturing operations. This role partners closely with Automation, Mechanical Engineering, Maintenance, and Production teams to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient equipment performance. The ideal candidate brings strong troubleshooting skills, system-level thinking, and a disciplined, detail-oriented approach to controls engineering.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain PLC-based control systems for automated equipment and manufacturing processes

• Troubleshoot and resolve complex electrical, controls, and automation issues in a production environment

• Develop, modify, and document PLC logic, HMI screens, and related control system software

• Interpret and work from electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and P&IDs

• Support equipment commissioning, startups, upgrades, and continuous improvement initiatives

• Collaborate with Mechanical Engineering, Maintenance, and Production to diagnose system-level issues and implement robust solutions

• Ensure controls designs comply with applicable safety standards, codes, and internal engineering practices

• Document control system changes thoroughly, including logic updates, I/O changes, and revisions

• Support the evaluation and adoption of new automation technologies, including robotics, motion control, and vision systems

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (preferred) or a related engineering discipline

• Experience with industrial automation and controls systems in a manufacturing environment

• Proficiency with PLC programming and troubleshooting

• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and control drawings

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Effective written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with multiple PLC platforms and automation architectures

• Exposure to robotics, motion control, and/or vision systems

• Familiarity with industrial safety standards and best practices

• Experience supporting high-uptime production environments

Key Traits for Success in this Role

• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills across electrical, mechanical, and software systems

• System-level thinking with understanding of how controls, sensors, mechanics, and processes interact

• Detail-oriented mindset with clean logic, accurate documentation, and disciplined change control

• Adaptability and willingness to learn new automation technologies and standards

Work Environment

This role is primarily based on-site in Buffalo, NY, with regular interaction on the manufacturing floor. The position requires collaboration with cross-functional teams to support safe, reliable, and efficient operations.

Other requirements

5 days onsite, Monday-Friday

No relocation packages offered

MUST already be local to the Buffalo market