What are the responsibilities and job description for the Process Automation and Controls Engineer position at Franklin International and Careers?
Franklin International, a leading manufacturer of adhesives, coatings, and sealants is currently seeking an Automation and Controls Engineer.
Franklin is expanding its internal automation and controls team to accelerate innovation, improve manufacturing efficiency, and build long-term technical capability. We are seeking an Automation & Controls Engineer who thrives on solving problems, improving systems, and taking ownership of their work.
This role is ideal for an engineer who prefers to address root causes instead of symptoms, seeks out opportunities to optimize rather than maintain the status quo, and wants to contribute meaningfully to both daily production and strategic automation initiatives. This position centers on Rockwell-based systems and plays a key role in plant-wide automation improvements, process control optimization, and production support.
Fundamental Job Tasks:
Education & Experience
Based in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin International is among the largest privately held manufacturers of adhesives and sealants in the United States. We opened in 1935 as the Franklin Glue Company and today are known as Franklin International to reflect our global distribution across 60 countries on six continents around the globe. Our Construction Building Products division provides the Titebond brand of glues, adhesives and sealants for use in woodworking and all facets of residential and commercial construction. Franklin International employs over 400 people in its laboratory, R&D center, sales/marketing offices and manufacturing facility, all located at its corporate headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. We are an American family-owned, U.S.-based company and our products sold in the U.S. are made in America.
Franklin International is proud of our family-friendly atmosphere. We are small enough that people know your name, but big enough to have the resources available to do amazing things within our industry. Our award-winning benefits program includes a wide range of benefits from medical, dental, and vision insurance to more unique options like a free on-site fitness center, nurse health coach, 529 Plan matching, and adoption support. Our average employee tenure is over twelve years; learn more at www.FranklinInternational.com.
Our Vision: To be the most trusted adhesion company in the world.
Other Benefits:
Franklin is expanding its internal automation and controls team to accelerate innovation, improve manufacturing efficiency, and build long-term technical capability. We are seeking an Automation & Controls Engineer who thrives on solving problems, improving systems, and taking ownership of their work.
This role is ideal for an engineer who prefers to address root causes instead of symptoms, seeks out opportunities to optimize rather than maintain the status quo, and wants to contribute meaningfully to both daily production and strategic automation initiatives. This position centers on Rockwell-based systems and plays a key role in plant-wide automation improvements, process control optimization, and production support.
Fundamental Job Tasks:
- Develop and optimize PLC programming using ladder logic and function block diagrams (FBDs) in Studio 5000
- Design and deploy HMI/SCADA systems in FactoryTalk View SE/ME
- Design and configure FactoryTalk Batch control systems consistent with ISA-88 standards (area models, phases, recipes, etc.)
- Investigate and troubleshoot DCS issues, identify root causes, and implement robust, lasting solutions
- Lead or support the commissioning and startup of new or modified control systems
- Occasionally assist with electrical design, networking, or instrumentation-related tasks
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams on DCS additions and process control improvements
- Provide training and support for DCS users
- Help establish and enforce programming standards and best practices
- Contribute to long-term automation strategy and initiatives
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, or Computer Engineering
- 3–6 years of experience in industrial automation and controls required
- Rockwell Platform proficiency including:
- Studio 5000
- FactoryTalk View SE/ME
- FactoryTalk Batch
- Strong project ownership and independent problem-solving mindset
- Proven ability to identify and execute DCS improvements
- Works autonomously and collaborates effectively across departments
- PlantPAx
- Vision systems (e.g., barcode scanning, quality inspection)
- Packaging automation or downstream equipment integration
- PI Historian or other process historian and data visualization platforms
- SQL-based reporting
- Ignition by Inductive Automation
- Background in batch or chemical processing environments
Based in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin International is among the largest privately held manufacturers of adhesives and sealants in the United States. We opened in 1935 as the Franklin Glue Company and today are known as Franklin International to reflect our global distribution across 60 countries on six continents around the globe. Our Construction Building Products division provides the Titebond brand of glues, adhesives and sealants for use in woodworking and all facets of residential and commercial construction. Franklin International employs over 400 people in its laboratory, R&D center, sales/marketing offices and manufacturing facility, all located at its corporate headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. We are an American family-owned, U.S.-based company and our products sold in the U.S. are made in America.
Franklin International is proud of our family-friendly atmosphere. We are small enough that people know your name, but big enough to have the resources available to do amazing things within our industry. Our award-winning benefits program includes a wide range of benefits from medical, dental, and vision insurance to more unique options like a free on-site fitness center, nurse health coach, 529 Plan matching, and adoption support. Our average employee tenure is over twelve years; learn more at www.FranklinInternational.com.
Our Vision: To be the most trusted adhesion company in the world.
Other Benefits:
- Medical/dental/vision insurance
- Life insurance
- On-site fitness center staffed by trainers
- Company paid short term disability
- 401(k) with matching
- 529 savings matching
- Tuition assistance
- Student Loan Repayment Assistance
- Paid Holidays
- Free Franklin Merchandise