Electrical Controls Engineer - Manufacturing

Electrical Controls Engineer

Join a Growing Manufacturing Team

A growing manufacturer is seeking an Electrical Controls Engineer to support automation, electrical systems, plant operations, and capital projects at a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in southern Wisconsin.

This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer who enjoys working across disciplines, solving complex controls challenges, collaborating with contractors and vendors, and seeing projects move from concept through commissioning. The role offers meaningful ownership, variety, and the opportunity to make a measurable impact on manufacturing performance, reliability, safety, and efficiency.

Schedule: Monday–Friday, day shift

Travel: Up to 10% domestic travel

Reports to: Electrical Engineering Manager

Location: Southern Wisconsin manufacturing facility

Position Summary

The Electrical Controls Engineer will conceptualize, design, program, troubleshoot, and optimize automation control systems and electrical hardware supporting plant processes and building operations.

This role will partner with third-party integrators, equipment suppliers, contractors, maintenance personnel, and multiple engineering disciplines to execute capital projects and support reliable day-to-day plant operations.

The engineer will also provide technical guidance on electrical power distribution systems, supervise electrical contractors, and train internal maintenance personnel on automation and electrical systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Program, troubleshoot, and optimize automation control systems for manufacturing processes and building systems.

• Support the design and implementation of complex electrical and automation systems.

• Collaborate with third-party integrators and vendors on hardware, software, controls, and system integration.

• Develop and revise detailed functional specifications for automated control systems.

• Create, review, and update electrical schematics for control panels, equipment, and system wiring.

• Create and maintain P&IDs for manufacturing processes and building systems.

• Identify, specify, and purchase electrical hardware required for projects and plant operations.

• Direct contractors and vendors performing electrical and automation work.

• Coordinate and supervise day-to-day contractor activities related to electrical and controls projects.

• Travel domestically to support equipment installation, system implementation, startup, and commissioning.

• Review, approve, and participate in the design of plant power distribution systems, including medium-voltage equipment and related hardware.

• Provide electrical and automation troubleshooting support to plant operations and maintenance teams.

• Diagnose control-system, instrumentation, electrical, and automation issues.

• Train and develop internal maintenance personnel to achieve proficiency in electrical and automation troubleshooting.

• Support capital projects from design and procurement through installation, commissioning, and handoff.

• Maintain accurate project documentation, drawings, specifications, and records.

• Follow all company safety, quality, environmental, and operating policies and procedures.

• Maintain regular attendance and work overtime as needed.

• Perform other duties assigned by the supervisor or manager.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field, or five or more years of relevant electrical controls and automation experience.

• At least two years of experience in a manufacturing environment; food or process manufacturing experience is preferred.

• Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical and standard AutoCAD.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Project.

• Familiarity with applicable electrical and machinery standards, including:

• UL standards

• National Electrical Code

• NFPA 70

• NFPA 70E

• NFPA 79

• Demonstrated ability to program, troubleshoot, and support industrial automation control systems.

• Ability to read and develop electrical schematics, control-system documentation, and P&IDs.

• Experience working with contractors, vendors, integrators, and cross-functional engineering teams.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Siemens PLCs, HMIs, drives, or automation platforms.

• Experience with manufacturing process controls and building automation systems.

• Experience with medium-voltage power distribution systems.

• Experience supporting plant startups, expansions, equipment installations, or commissioning activities.

• Experience writing functional specifications and control narratives.

• Experience with electrical panel design, control-system architecture, and industrial networking.

• Experience training maintenance or operations personnel.

• Project management experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.

• Experience in food, beverage, consumer products, chemical, pharmaceutical, or other process manufacturing.

Skills and Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong oral and written communication

• Adaptability and flexibility

• Customer- and operations-focused decision-making

• Technical problem-solving ability

• Team-building and leadership skills

• Project coordination and management

• Attention to detail

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively

• Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement

• Ability to translate business and operational needs into practical engineering solutions

What You’ll Do in This Role

You will have the opportunity to:

• Own automation and electrical projects from initial concept through commissioning.

• Work directly with plant operations, maintenance, contractors, vendors, and integrators.

• Improve the reliability and efficiency of critical manufacturing systems.

• Help shape electrical and automation standards for a modern manufacturing facility.

• Develop the technical capabilities of internal maintenance personnel.

• Solve a wide range of controls, electrical, and process challenges.

• Contribute to projects that directly affect production, safety, quality, and plant performance.

Work Environment and Travel

This position is based at a modern manufacturing facility in southern Wisconsin. The role primarily follows a Monday–Friday day-shift schedule, with occasional overtime required to support project implementation, commissioning, plant operations, or urgent troubleshooting needs.

Domestic travel of up to 10% may be required for equipment installation, vendor coordination, system startup, commissioning, and related project activities.

How to Apply

Candidates should submit a resume highlighting experience with:

• Industrial automation and controls

• PLC programming and troubleshooting

• Electrical design and AutoCAD Electrical

• Manufacturing or process-control systems

• Siemens automation platforms

• Electrical power distribution

• Capital project execution

• Contractor and vendor coordination

• Commissioning and startup

• Maintenance training and technical support

The employer is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, inclusive, and high-performing workplace where employees can grow, contribute, and make a difference.

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Please note: The following benefits reflect Kelly's general offerings. Eligibility may vary by assignment, location, and job type. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here (https://www.mykelly.com/help-support-working-with-kelly-us/#Benefits) for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

Why Kelly ® Engineering?

Your engineering skills are in demand, but how do you find the right fit? Easy. At Kelly Engineering, our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. We connect you with leading organizations where you can collaborate on innovative projects, work with cutting-edge technologies and accelerate your growth. Whether you prefer the variety and flexibility of short-term projects or are looking for a long-term opportunity, we’re here to guide you to the next step in your engineering career.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

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Kelly Services is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We welcome, value, and embrace diversity at all levels and are committed to building a team that is inclusive of a variety of backgrounds, communities, perspectives, and abilities. At Kelly, we believe that the more inclusive we are, the better services we can provide. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to Kelly’s Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment.