Controls Engineer Project Manager Jobs in Kentucky

HR Consulting Solutions is a full service HR consulting and executive search firm that has been retained by Premier Candle Corporation to conduct a search for an experienced Controls Engineer to join their engineering and technical team in Hickory, Kentucky.
ABOUT PREMIER CANDLE
Premier Candle is a leading manufacturer of scented candles and home fragrance products. Formerly known as Mayfield Consumer Products, the company has undergone significant transformation and investment in recent years following the devastating tornado that impacted the facility and community in 2021.Today, Premier Candle is focused on rebuilding, modernizing operations, investing in people, and creating a culture centered on accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. The organization operates multiple production lines and is actively investing in automation, equipment upgrades, and infrastructure improvements to support future growth.
As part of its continued modernization efforts, Premier Candle is implementing advanced automation technologies and control systems that have already been successfully deployed at its Canadian manufacturing operations. This position will play a critical role in bringing those proven automation solutions to the Kentucky facility while supporting the reliability and performance of existing production equipment. This is an exciting opportunity for an engineer who enjoys both hands on troubleshooting and technical project work within a fast paced manufacturing environment.
POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting directly to the Quality and Engineering Manager, the Controls Engineer will be responsible for supporting, maintaining, troubleshooting, and optimizing the automated systems that drive production throughout the facility. This newly created position will serve as the primary on site resource for automation and controls support, working closely with maintenance, production, engineering, and an external software development partner based in Canada.
The Controls Engineer will help implement automation programs and control solutions already developed for Premier's Canadian operations while ensuring those systems are successfully integrated and maintained within the Kentucky facility. This position is approximately a 50/50 blend of hands on plant floor support and engineering/project work. The ideal candidate will enjoy diagnosing and resolving equipment issues while also participating in automation improvements, system upgrades, and continuous improvement initiatives.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Automation & Controls Support

• Maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize existing PLC based control systems throughout the manufacturing facility
• Support automation initiatives involving production equipment, robotics, machine vision systems, SCADA platforms, and HMI interfaces
• Work closely with Premier's third party automation software partner to implement proven automation programs and solutions within the Kentucky facility
• Assist with adapting existing automation systems to meet local operational requirements
• Support commissioning, testing, and validation of automation upgrades and control system improvements

Equipment Troubleshooting & Reliability

• Diagnose and resolve electrical, controls, robotic, pneumatic, and automation related equipment issues
• Perform hands on troubleshooting of sensors, motors, drives, communication networks, and control devices
• Collaborate closely with maintenance and production teams to minimize downtime and improve equipment reliability
• Conduct root cause analysis on recurring equipment failures and implement corrective actions
• Support continuous improvement efforts focused on increasing production efficiency and reducing downtime

Robotics, Vision Systems & SCADA

• Support and troubleshoot Fanuc robotics systems used throughout the facility
• Maintain and optimize machine vision systems used for quality inspection and process verification
• Support Ignition SCADA and FactoryTalk HMI platforms
• Modify operator interfaces, alarms, diagnostics, and reporting tools as needed

Project Implementation

• Participate in automation and modernization projects throughout the facility
• Assist with integrating equipment, controls, and automation systems transferred from Premier's Canadian operations
• Coordinate project activities with vendors, contractors, and internal stakeholders
• Support capital improvement projects involving automation and controls systems

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate documentation of control systems, automation changes, PLC programs, robotic systems, and equipment modifications
• Ensure compliance with company safety standards, engineering standards, and regulatory requirements
• Support continuous improvement of automation documentation and best practices

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field preferred
• 5+ years’ experience supporting industrial automation, controls, robotics, or manufacturing systems preferred
• 5+ years’ experience troubleshooting electrical control systems, VFDs, motors, sensors, and industrial automation equipment preferred
• Experience troubleshooting PLC based control systems
• Knowledge of electrical controls, sensors, motors, drives, robotics, and industrial networking
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem solving abilities
• Ability to work effectively in both hands on and project based environments
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills

PREFERRED TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE
Experience supporting machine vision and automated inspection systems preferred. Experience with one or more of the following systems is strongly preferred:

• Rockwell Automation Logix 500 and Logix 5000 PLC platforms
• Omron Sysmac Studio
• Rockwell FactoryTalk View HMI
• Inductive Automation Ignition SCADA
• Fanuc Robotics

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Automation & Controls
• PLC Troubleshooting
• Electrical Systems
• Industrial Robotics
• Continuous Improvement
• Problem Solving
• Root Cause Analysis
• Project Management
• Technical Communication
• Collaboration & Teamwork

WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position will divide time between the manufacturing floor and engineering/project activities. The Controls Engineer should expect a highly interactive role that requires regular engagement with production personnel, maintenance teams, engineering staff, and external automation partners. Occasional travel may be required, including the potential for an initial one week trip to Premier's Canadian operations during implementation activities.
WHY WORK FOR PREMIER

• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Retirement savings opportunities with company matching
• Opportunity to lead major maintenance and automation initiatives within a growing manufacturing organization

QUESTIONS?

• Reach out to us via email: Talent@HRConsulting.llc
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Premier Candle Corporation and HR Consulting Solutions LLC are Equal Opportunity Employers. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. Our company is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants, providing everyone with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions within our organization are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

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