Controls Engineer — UL508A Panel Design & PLC/HMI Programming

Buford, GA | Full-Time

Applied Industrial Controls (AIC), an MCE Company | Reports to: General Manager

At Applied Industrial Controls (AIC), our Controls Engineers are the technical core of everything we do. From our UL508A certified panel shop in Buford, GA, you'll design and build custom industrial control panels, program PLCs, HMIs, and VFDs, and deliver turnkey automation solutions to OEM, industry, and municipal customers across the Southeast. You'll work with leading platforms Siemens, ABB, Eaton, Mitsubishi using EPLAN Electric P8 to bring complex system designs from concept to commissioning.

If you're a seasoned controls engineer who can own a project end to end, communicate with customers and panel builders alike, and deliver quality work under tight deadlines this role is built for you.

Compensation & Benefits

$90,000 – $110,000/yr based on experience. We take care of our team with a full benefits package:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Company-paid life, AD&D, and short- and long-term disability insurance.
• 401(k) with a generous company match.
• Generous PTO and paid holidays.
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid parental leave.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Voluntary benefit products.

What You'll Do

Panel Design & Engineering

• Design industrial control panels to UL508A and CSA 22.2 standards in full compliance with NEC codes.
• Use EPLAN Electric P8 to create 2D/3D electrical schematics, panel layouts, and Bills of Materials (BOMs) using preferred vendors.
• Select components to meet project specifications — sensors, VFDs, overloads, MSPs, contactors, pilot devices, HMIs, PLCs, circuit protection, and enclosures.
• Develop and maintain As-Built drawings, document all design changes, and preserve all related project correspondence.

PLC, HMI & VFD Programming

• Program PLCs (ladder logic), Smart Relays, HMIs, and VFDs to meet customer sequence of operations and performance requirements.
• Commission VFDs and configure industrial communication protocols including Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, Profinet, and Modbus 485.
• Pursue and maintain Siemens PLC programming and ABB VFD certifications.

Project Ownership & Customer Management

• Read and analyze project plans and specifications; create submittals and identify any exceptions clearly and proactively.
• Quote projects accurately including engineering time and materials and deliver quotes in a timely manner.
• Review and report costs to assist project managers in meeting budget requirements; adapt quickly to project changes and supplier issues with alternative components or design modifications.
• Work directly with customers to manage project flow, resolve issues, and keep stakeholders aligned on quality and schedule.
• Build and maintain relationships with key vendors to ensure preferred component availability and pricing.

What We're Looking For

Must Have:

• 5 years of experience in industrial controls engineering design, programming, and project delivery.
• Proficient in PLC programming (ladder logic), HMI development, and VFD commissioning.
• Solid working knowledge of UL508A/CSA 22.2 standards, NEC codes, NEMA ratings, and component specifications.
• Experienced with industrial communication protocols: Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, Profinet, Modbus 485.
• Proficient with EPLAN Electric P8 for electrical schematics and panel layouts.
• Strong communicator comfortable working with customers from engineering, maintenance, management, and jurisdictional authorities, as well as panel assembly personnel.
• Execution-focused with the ability to manage multiple projects independently, set timelines, and deliver quality work under deadline.

Nice to Have:

• Four-year degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering (preferred, not required — equivalent experience is equally valued).
• Siemens PLC programming certification or ABB VFD certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Experience with Siemens, ABB, Eaton, or Mitsubishi control platforms.
• Background delivering control panel solutions to OEM, industrial, or municipal customers in the Southeast.
• Familiarity with water/wastewater, manufacturing automation, or process control applications.

About Applied Industrial Controls (AIC)

Applied Industrial Controls (AIC) is a UL508A-certified panel shop and automation controls distributor serving industrial, OEM, and municipal customers across the southeastern U.S. — Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida. We design, build, and commission custom industrial control panels from basic relay panels to fully integrated PLC, HMI, VFD, and IIoT systems, with over 200 years of combined team experience and a quarterly audit process that keeps our UL508A certification sharper than the industry standard.

AIC joined Motion & Control Enterprises (MCE) in 2023, giving our team the depth of a top-50 national industrial distributor while keeping the technical expertise and hands-on culture that defines us. Our engineers are the reason customers come back — and we invest in them accordingly.

AIC and MCE are proud Equal Opportunity Employers. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities.

If you're a controls engineer who thrives on complex projects, takes ownership of your work, and wants to build with a team that holds itself to a high standard, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today! It only takes a few minutes.