Controls Engineer

About the Role:
Join a hands-on engineering team where you'll play a key role in keeping complex manufacturing systems running at peak performance. This Controls Engineer position focuses on troubleshooting, optimizing, and enhancing plant automation, controls, and instrumentation systems while partnering closely with operations and maintenance teams to drive reliability and continuous improvement. You'll have the opportunity to solve challenging technical problems, support critical production processes, and lead impactful automation projects across the facility.

About TAI:
TAI brings together engineering, construction, systems integration, on-site services, and technical services — combining proven execution with trusted expertise to support clients across the entire project lifecycle. Team members at TAI are capable, well-rounded, flexible, and optimistic. We have found that the best employees are the ones who recognize the importance of what they do and the ones who let that guide them in the actions they take. More than any skill, we seek people who make decisions that support the common good. We work for our clients, and we work for one another.

Here’s a glimpse into your day to day:

• Troubleshoot, repair, and modify plant control systems and automation equipment.
• Diagnose root causes of control system, instrumentation, and electrical issues through field investigation and system analysis.
• Review and troubleshoot field wiring, control panel wiring, junction boxes, and MCC wiring to identify operational problems.
• Support and maintain plant PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems.
• Develop and modify PLC programs, ladder logic, and operator interface graphics.
• Troubleshoot and support process instrumentation including:
• Temperature transmitters
• Pressure instruments
• Flow meters
• Level instruments
• Control valves
• Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)
• Encoders and process sensors
• Design, document, and maintain control system architecture, interlocks, and automation standards.
• Develop wiring diagrams, loop drawings, panel layouts, and technical documentation.
• Create and maintain operating procedures and work instructions related to automation systems.
• Partner with maintenance and production teams to improve system reliability and plant performance.
• Support capital projects involving controls, instrumentation, and electrical systems.
• Assist with automation reporting, data collection, and process optimization initiatives.
• Provide technical support during equipment startups, shutdowns, and plant troubleshooting events.
• Maintain compliance with all safety, environmental, and quality standards.

You’ll be a perfect fit if you have:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related technical field. Equivalent experience will be considered.
• Minimum 3 years of controls, instrumentation, or automation engineering experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Experience troubleshooting industrial instrumentation and electrical control systems.
• Ability to read and interpret:
• Electrical schematics
• Wiring diagrams
• P&IDs
• Loop drawings
• Technical manuals
• Ladder logic diagrams
• Strong root-cause analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in chemical, process, manufacturing, food & beverage, pharmaceutical, or industrial production environments.
• Experience supporting capital projects and process improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, RCA, Kaizen, or continuous improvement methodologies.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Eligible for overtime pay
• Annual Profit Sharing Bonus (variable)
• PTO and Paid Holidays
• Health Benefits: Employee through family level coverage for medical, dental, and vision insurances. Company funded life and long-term disability insurances. Short Term Disability, FSA, HSA, EAP, and supplemental life insurances (employee – family) are also available!
• 401(k)with employer match

Other Offerings:

• The opportunity to make a real impact on a variety of industry-leading projects.
• The ability to balance your work and family activities.
• Flexible work schedule
• Work in a dynamic and collaborative environment that values creativity and innovation.
• A chance to learn and grow alongside some of the brightest minds in engineering.
• Professional Development, Tuition Reimbursement, and Association Membership Reimbursements.

Discover what makes TAI a top-20 manufacturing partner, according to Engineering News-Record (ENR), and one of the top-50 fastest-growing private companies in the Baltimore Business Journal. Learn more about us at https://www.tai.inc/