Manufacturing Controls Engineer

Overview

When Alfred Fain founded a small Rhode Island tire store in 1924, at the time no one could have predicted how Teknor Apex would become an international custom compounder sought out by companies around the world. After a nearly hundred-year journey that’s carried us through acquisitions and expansion, we now have nine U.S. locations, as well as operations in Belgium, Singapore, Germany, and China.

Throughout this global expansion Teknor has remained a privately held company, and today Fain’s grandson sits at the helm, maintaining the family’s tradition of fostering deep employee and customer relationships. These relationships are what allow us—together—to deliver customized compound solutions and help our customer’s create better products.

“Manufacturing is a team sport, and we work together to achieve our goals.” ~Jon Fain

Position Overview

Teknor Apex is seeking a highly skilled PLC Controls Engineer with extensive hands-on experience in an industrial manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate will combine strong controls and automation expertise with an engineering foundation, enabling them to troubleshoot, design, and optimize complex machinery and automated systems.

This individual will also play a key role in identifying, planning, and managing new equipment installations, plant equipment upgrades, and opportunities for improved equipment implementations to enhance safety, reliability, and efficiency across the Leominster facility.

Additionally, the successful candidate will support and expand the use of Inductive Automation’s Ignition platform—Teknor Apex’s standard for SCADA, data visualization, and control integration—while collaborating cross-functionally with production, maintenance, and engineering teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, program, and maintain PLC control systems (Primarily Allen-Bradley) but other control system experience is a plus.
• Develop, configure, and maintain Ignition SCADA projects for real-time process monitoring, control, and data collection.
• Integrate Ignition with PLCs, HMIs, Sensors, hardware and plant databases to enable robust production data visualization and reporting.
• Identify, manage, install new equipment installations, system upgrades, and automation improvement projects from concept through commissioning.
• Evaluate existing processes and equipment to propose improvements in reliability, performance, and safety.
• Collaborate with mechanical and electrical engineers to integrate automation into new and existing machinery.
• Troubleshoot and repair control systems and mechanical equipment on the production floor
• Support and lead continuous improvement initiatives for process reliability, throughput, and quality.
• Create and maintain accurate documentation, including electrical schematics, ladder logic, and P&ID drawings.
• Train maintenance and production personnel on system operation, Ignition dashboards, and safety procedures.
• Lead root cause analysis for equipment downtime or process inefficiencies.
• Ensure compliance with relevant safety standards (OSHA, NFPA 70E, ISO, etc.) and company policies.
• Will also participate/contribute to any other needs of the plant/organization.
• Actively supports a 24/7 operation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Indusrial, or a closely related field).
• 5 years of experience in a manufacturing or industrial automation environment.
• Proven hands-on expertise in PLC programming and troubleshooting (Allen-Bradley preferred).
• Strong mechanical aptitude, with deep understanding of pneumatic, hydraulic, and mechanical systems.
• Experience integrating sensors, actuators, drives, and robotics into production machinery.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical or similar design tools.
• Familiarity with data acquisition systems, industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, Modbus, etc.), and industrial control standards.
• Excellent problem-solving, project management, and communication skills; ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

Preferred Skills

• Demonstrated experience with Inductive Automation’s Ignition platform for SCADA, visualization, and control integration.
• Experience with robotic systems (Fanuc, ABB, etc.).
• Advanced development using Ignition scripting (Python) and module configuration.
• Understanding of SCADA architectures, database design, and industrial IoT integration.
• Background in lean manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies.
• Ability to manage capital projects from concept to startup.

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

• Frequent hands-on work around production machinery.
• Must be comfortable with shop floor conditions (noise, heat, mechanical systems).
• Travel up to 15%.

This description is a summary of principal responsibilities and is not intended to include all duties that may be assigned.

Teknor Apex is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status under state or federal laws. Must be 18 years of age or older to work at Teknor Apex.