1

Engineer Controls Engineer Jobs in Hartsville, SC

Senior Controls Engineer

Hartsville, SC · On-site

$83K - $110K/yr

Reporting directly to Sonoco's Manufacturing Automation Engineering Manager, the Senior Controls Engineer will be responsible for leading the electrical and controls design effort in Machinery ...

Senior Controls Engineer

Hartsville, SC · On-site

$126.31 - $133.74/hr

Senior Electrical Engineering Manager - Automation Location: Hartsville, SC Responsibilities * Lead the Electrical, Controls, and Automation technicians, including training, development, and ...

Electrical Engineer

Hartsville, SC · On-site

$80 - $110/hr

Experience with industrial electrical distribution from 5kVAC to 120VAC, motor controls, plant lighting, and coordinated drive controls. Education A BS degree in Electrical Engineering. Certification ...

Electrical Engineer

Sumter, SC · On-site

$75 - $95/hr

This position is ideal for an engineer who has a solid technical foundation and is looking to continue developing their expertise in power systems, controls, and industrial electrical design.

Strong technical engineering background in automation, controls, and/or electrical engineering. * Demonstrated hands-on experience, such as commissioning automation lines. * Exceptional communication ...

New

The Automation Engineering Manager will lead a team of engineers responsible for executing ... Equipment & Process Standardization • Standardize automation platforms, controls architecture ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Engineer Controls Engineer information

See Hartsville, SC salary details

$47.3K

$83K

$112.5K

How much do engineer controls engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for engineer controls engineer in Hartsville, SC is $82,973.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,700.00 and $92,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Engineer Controls Engineer vs Electrical Engineer?

AspectControls EngineerElectrical Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical, Mechanical, or Controls Engineering; certifications like Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST)Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering; Professional Engineer (PE) license often preferred
Work EnvironmentIndustrial settings, manufacturing plants, automation facilitiesPower plants, electronics, telecommunications, industrial facilities
Industry UsageAutomation, manufacturing, process controlPower systems, electronics, telecommunications

Controls Engineers focus on designing, developing, and maintaining control systems for automation and manufacturing processes, while Electrical Engineers work on electrical systems, power distribution, and electronic devices. Both roles require similar credentials and often overlap in industrial environments, but their primary responsibilities and areas of expertise differ.

How much do controls engineers get paid?

Controls engineers typically earn a median annual salary between $70,000 and $100,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions may start around $60,000, while experienced professionals with specialized skills or certifications can earn over $110,000. Salaries can also vary based on the complexity of control systems and the use of programming tools like PLCs and SCADA systems.

What does a controls engineer do?

A controls engineer designs, develops, and maintains control systems used to operate machinery and processes in manufacturing, automation, and industrial settings. They work with programmable logic controllers (PLCs), sensors, and software to ensure systems function efficiently and safely, often requiring knowledge of electrical, mechanical, and software engineering. Controls engineers also troubleshoot issues, optimize system performance, and may hold certifications in automation or control systems.

What cities near Hartsville, SC are hiring for Engineer Controls Engineer jobs?

Cities near Hartsville, SC with the most Engineer Controls Engineer job openings:

Senior Controls Engineer

Hartsville, SC • On-site


Sonoco
Manufacturing • 10K+ employees

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 106 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

53rd of 122 rated packaging manufacturers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students


$83K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday


Job description

From a small family business to a multi-billion-dollar global company, Sonoco has been changing the face of products and packaging since 1899 - all while keeping the heart of "People Build Businesses" alive.

Our talented people are at the core of our growth, constantly reinventing the Sonoco wheel with brilliant solutions every year. Today we are a world leader in global packaging solutions with diversified operations in over 34 countries. We're extremely proud of our portfolio of brands, our achievements in sustainability and industrialization and the groundbreaking work accomplished by our people.

Reporting directly to Sonoco's Manufacturing Automation Engineering Manager, the Senior Controls Engineer will be responsible for leading the electrical and controls design effort in Machinery Manufacturing's new facility in Hartsville, SC. They will be responsible for the design, build, integration, installation, and support of innovative controls and automation solutions for high volume, diverse manufacturing technologies for Sonoco's 300 global facilities.

Responsibilities

What you will be doing:

  • Design electrical and control systems for customized automation solutions using EPLAN.
  • Development of and compliance with process standards that will ensure consistency in the process to include a specific focus on maximizing the safety performance of all solutions.
  • Manage the change management process and IP security for all elements of solutions to include, but not limited to drawings, source code, and concepts.
  • Actively participate in and lead collaborative brainstorming sessions to conceptualize the simplest automation solution for complex problems.
  • Provide support for and assist Automation Technicians during panel fabrication, shop testing, installation, and field support.
  • Develop reliable PLC programs in the Studio5000 environment.
  • Develop intuitive HMI programs.
  • Integrate comprehensive alarms and messaging into PLC and HMI programs.
  • Provide advanced troubleshooting for automated machinery as needed.
  • Collaborate with Operations and Maintenance teams to ensure equipment is properly operated and maintained.
  • Support automated data collection and reliability tracking.
  • Create capital project proposals that clearly communicate the opportunity and proposed solution to Plant, Divisional, and Corporate leadership teams
  • Manage automation projects including supervising in-house, contract, and OEM resources to ensure projects are completed on-time and on-budget.
  • Collaborate with internal Supply Management and OEM to generate general scopes and/or detailed Performance - Statement of Work documents for new assets.
  • Actively collaborate with the Business Units in the Continuous Improvement Effort: Always find a way to keep improving. Maintain a working knowledge of Sonoco's products, processes, and machinery.
  • Directs drafters, designers, and technicians assigned to his projects. Obtains outside resources as required to accomplish project goals.
  • Coordinates projects with other departments as required.
  • Makes branch plant trips or vendor visits as required to accomplish project objectives.
  • Works closely with manufacturing personnel, division managers, marketing, and other disciplines as required.
  • Solid knowledge of all applicable safety regulations related to controls and automation solutions
  • Solid understanding and experience with electrical control system design software (EPLAN preferred)
  • Overseeing lean control panel fabrication process. (leveraging EPLAN Pro Panel or similar)
  • PLC and HMI programming (Studio5000 for PLC and Maple Systems for HMIs preferred)
  • Ignition or similar SCADA system experience is a plus.
  • Solid knowledge of troubleshooting equipment problems and performing complex system tests
  • Creative thinking skills
  • Detail-oriented personality
  • Continuous improvement mindset
  • Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
  • Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with other members of the development team and Sonoco leadership.
  • Operates effectively in high pressure environments.

We'd love to hear from you if:

  • Bachelor of Science in Electrical/Controls Engineering or similar equivalent experience.
  • Minimum 8-10 Years in Controls and Automation design.

Compensation:

The annual base salary range for this role is from $138,320 to $172,900. This position is eligible for a bonus as well.

At Sonoco Products Company, we offer a comprehensive total rewards package, including competitive pay and benefits. *Benefits listed below are for employees located in the U.S. Specific benefits and wellbeing programs may vary depending on your location (within the U.S. or global), or if you are a union employee.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, including FSA and HSA options
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match
  • Wellbeing tools and resources to support holistic health, including an Employee Assistance Program with a variety of services
  • Paid time off and holidays to recreate, rejuvenate and care for the health of yourself and family
  • Variety of company paid and voluntary employee-paid insurance plans including life, personal accident, and disability insurance
  • Tuition reimbursement

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.


Sonoco logo

About Sonoco

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Sonoco is a $5 billion global provider of consumer packaging, industrial products and packaging supply chain services. When collaborating with our customers, we leverage our deep knowledge of material science, our i6 Innovation ProcessTM, and our industry-leading packaging and services portfolio to create impactful customized solutions that build stronger brands. We produce packaging for many of the world's most recognized brands, in markets such as appliances and electronics, automotive, beverages, confection, construction, converted paperboard, fresh and natural food, frozen and refrigerated food, shaving, home, lawn and garden, medical/pharmaceutical, pet care, powdered beverages, recycling and snacks. Sonoco's operations consist of our global consumer packaging businesses (rigid paper and closures, flexibles and plastics); our display and packaging division (high-impact retail displays and packaging supply chain management); our industrial businesses (tubes and cores, reels and spools, uncoated recycled paperboard and Sonoco Recycling, one of the world's largest recyclers); and our Protective Solutions division (custom-designed protective, temperature-assurance and retail security packaging solutions and highly engineered components). From our headquarters in Hartsville, S.C., and more than 300 operations in 33 countries, we serve customers in 85 nations.

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Hartsville, SC, US


What Sonoco employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom