1

Associate Engineer Jobs in Columbus, NE (NOW HIRING)

Controls Engineer

Columbus, NE · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Associate's degree in Electrical Technology, Mechatronics, Engineering Technology, or equivalent hands-on experience preferred If you're looking for a role where you'll have ownership of plant ...

Process Automation Engineer - Columbus, NE

Columbus, NE

$70K - $113K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

An Associates degree in a technical area; a Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Electrical, Computer, or Automation Engineering is preferredExperience with distributed control systems; Emerson DeltaV ...

EDI Staff Engineer

Columbus, NE · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Maintenance / Engineering Teams: Support uptime, maintainability, and troubleshooting readiness ... No paycheck contributions for eligible associates under a certain salary threshold enrolled in the ...

EDI Staff Engineer

Columbus, NE

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Maintenance / Engineering Teams: Support uptime, maintainability, and troubleshooting readiness ... No paycheck contributions for eligible associates under a certain salary threshold enrolled in the ...

Hypo North Production Associate- D Shift

Columbus, NE · On-site

$15.25 - $19.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

It takes the imagination and passion of all of us-from design and engineering to the manufacturing ... No paycheck contributions for eligible associates under a certain salary threshold enrolled in the ...

Hypo North Production Associate - D Shift

Columbus, NE · On-site

$15.25 - $19.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

It takes the imagination and passion of all of us-from design and engineering to the manufacturing ... No paycheck contributions for eligible associates under a certain salary threshold enrolled in the ...

Hypo North Production Associate - D Shift

Columbus, NE · On-site

$15.25 - $19.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

It takes the imagination and passion of all of us-from design and engineering to the manufacturing ... No paycheck contributions for eligible associates under a certain salary threshold enrolled in the ...

Electrician A

Schuyler, NE

$28.35/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Collaborate with operators, engineers, and contractors to resolve system issues and support project ... Associate degree in electromechanical or electrical systems, or equivalent training Please note ...

Electrician A

Schuyler, NE · On-site

$28.35/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Collaborate with operators, engineers, and contractors to resolve system issues and support project ... Associate degree in electromechanical or electrical systems, or equivalent training Please note ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Associate Engineer information

See Columbus, NE salary details

$41.9K

$83.5K

$133.3K

How much do associate engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate engineer in Columbus, NE is $83,467.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,200.00 and $96,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate engineer?

Associate Engineers are entry-level engineering professionals who support more experienced engineers in designing, developing, testing, and maintaining various projects in their field. They typically work under supervision and assist with tasks such as drafting technical documents, conducting research, analyzing data, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Associate Engineers often gain practical experience and training to advance to higher-level engineering roles as they develop their skills.

What is the difference between Associate Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectAssociate EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering or related field; entry-level certificationsBachelor's degree in mechanical engineering; professional licensure (optional)
Work EnvironmentDesign, testing, and support roles in engineering teams; often in office or lab settingsDesign, analysis, and manufacturing in industrial or construction settings
Employer & Industry UsageEntry-level position across various industries like manufacturing, construction, and techDesign and development roles primarily in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and energy sectors

The main difference between an Associate Engineer and a Mechanical Engineer lies in experience and responsibilities. Associate Engineers are typically entry-level, focusing on supporting engineering tasks, while Mechanical Engineers have more experience and handle complex design and analysis responsibilities. Both roles require a bachelor's degree, but Mechanical Engineers often pursue licensure for advanced roles. The choice depends on your experience level and career goals within engineering fields.

What are some typical challenges associate engineers face when transitioning from academic projects to industry roles?

Associate Engineers often find the transition from academic projects to industry roles challenging due to differences in project scope, teamwork dynamics, and pace. In industry, you’ll likely work on larger, multi-disciplinary teams where effective communication and collaboration are crucial. Additionally, projects often have stricter deadlines and require adherence to established processes and standards, which may be less emphasized in academic settings. Embracing continuous learning and seeking mentorship from senior engineers can help ease this transition and set you up for success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Engineer, you need a solid grasp of engineering principles, problem-solving abilities, and a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with CAD software, industry-specific tools, and basic project management systems is typically required. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and effective communication set standout candidates apart. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering accurate technical solutions and contributing effectively to engineering projects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Engineer jobs in Columbus, NE?

The most popular types of Engineer jobs in Columbus, NE are:

What cities near Columbus, NE are hiring for Associate Engineer jobs?

Cities near Columbus, NE with the most Associate Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Engineer job openings in Columbus, NE as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,467 per year, or $40.1 per hour.

Controls Engineer

HiFyve

Columbus, NE • On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

HiFyve is hiring a Controls Engineer in the Automotive Industry!


HiFyve is partnering with a leading Tier 1 automotive manufacturer to hire a Controls Engineer for their manufacturing facility in Columbus, Nebraska. This is an opportunity to become the highest level of controls support within a highly automated plant, leading PLC programming, troubleshooting, commissioning, and automation improvements while partnering closely with Maintenance and Operations.



Position Details


Location: Columbus, NE


Schedule:

  • Monday through Friday
  • Flexible start time:
  • 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Rotating on-call schedule (every other weekend)
  • Primarily phone support
  • Very rare that you'll need to come into the plant


Compensation

  • $100,000–$130,000/year
  • Annual target bonus


What You'll Be Working On


You'll support a highly automated, 300,000-square-foot automotive manufacturing facility featuring:

  • 160+ Fanuc robotic welding cells
  • Stamping presses
  • Tube mills
  • Automated production equipment


As the plant's primary controls expert, you'll provide advanced troubleshooting and programming support, lead automation improvements, support new equipment installations, and serve as the final escalation point for complex controls issues that the maintenance team cannot resolve.


What We're Looking For

  • Experience programming and troubleshooting Allen-Bradley PLCs
  • Strong PLC programming, diagnostics, and controls troubleshooting experience
  • Experience modifying HMIs and implementing controls updates
  • Electrical troubleshooting and controls diagnostics experience
  • Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and ladder logic
  • Experience supporting new equipment installation, startup, and commissioning
  • Experience commissioning robotic cells and automated manufacturing equipment
  • Ability to serve as the highest level of controls support for the maintenance team
  • Experience in an automated manufacturing environment (automotive experience preferred)
  • Fanuc robotics experience preferred
  • Associate's degree in Electrical Technology, Mechatronics, Engineering Technology, or equivalent hands-on experience preferred


If you're looking for a role where you'll have ownership of plant controls, automation, and continuous improvement while working with advanced PLCs, robotics, and highly automated manufacturing systems, we'd love to connect with you.



HiFyve logo

About HiFyve

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Springfield, MO, US

Year founded

2022