Manufacturing · Manufacturing & Process Engineering · Controls & Automation Engineer

Retained Recruitment for Controls & Automation Engineers

Controls and Automation Engineers design, program, and maintain the automated systems and control infrastructure that modern manufacturing operations depend on. Found through dedicated retained search — not job boards.

Retained Only 21–40 Day Placement 90-Day Guarantee $80,000 – $130,000
PLC ProgrammerControls EngineerAutomation EngineerElectrical Engineer (Manufacturing)SCADA Engineer

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310+Manufacturing Placements
21–40Days to Placement
96%1-Year Retention
90-DayGuarantee
4.9★Client Rating
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What Does a Controls & Automation Engineer Do?

Programming and troubleshooting PLCs (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Mitsubishi), developing HMI interfaces, maintaining SCADA systems, designing electrical control panels, supporting robot programming and integration, and troubleshooting automation failures during production.

What We Screen For

Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechatronic Engineering, 3–7 years of hands-on PLC programming experience, proficiency with at least one major PLC platform, and understanding of industrial networking (EtherNet/IP, Profibus, or Modbus). Robotics integration experience is valued.

💡 Hiring Insight

Controls engineers who have programmed both Allen-Bradley and Siemens PLC platforms have significantly broader applicability than single-platform specialists. For organisations running mixed automation environments, this cross-platform experience is worth specifically recruiting for.

Typical Compensation
$80,000 – $130,000
Multi-platform PLC experience, robotics integration, and SCADA system ownership command the top of this range.
View Full Manufacturing Salary Guide →

Also Known As

PLC ProgrammerControls EngineerAutomation EngineerElectrical Engineer (Manufacturing)SCADA Engineer

Ready to start a Controls & Automation Engineer search?

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Every Day Without a Controls & Automation Engineer Has a Real Cost.

Retained recruitment delivers a pre-screened shortlist within 21–40 days. Start with a free 25-minute consultation.

📅 Book a Free Consultation No obligation · 25 minutes · Google Meet · Confidential
Common Questions

Recruiting a Controls & Automation Engineer — FAQ

Most Controls & Automation Engineer searches are completed within 21–40 business days. We provide a realistic timeline at the start of every engagement and weekly progress updates throughout.
Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechatronic Engineering, 3–7 years of hands-on PLC programming experience, proficiency with at least one major PLC platform, and understanding of industrial networking (EtherNet/IP, Profibus, or Modbus). Robotics integration experience is valued.
Controls engineers who have programmed both Allen-Bradley and Siemens PLC platforms have significantly broader applicability than single-platform specialists. For organisations running mixed automation environments, this cross-platform experience is worth specifically recruiting for. A retained search means one dedicated recruiter works exclusively on your role — passive outreach, credential screening, and a curated shortlist.
Every permanent retained placement includes a 90-day guarantee. If the placed professional departs or is released within 90 days for covered reasons, we conduct a full replacement search at no additional fee.
Compensation typically ranges from $80,000 – $130,000. Multi-platform PLC experience, robotics integration, and SCADA system ownership command the top of this range. Every retained search includes real-time compensation benchmarking.
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