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Senior Controls Engineer Jobs in Lebanon, KY (NOW HIRING)

Senior Controls Engineer information

See Lebanon, KY salary details

$61.6K

$98.2K

$131.8K

How much do senior controls engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior controls engineer in Lebanon, KY is $98,175.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,000.00 and $109,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior controls engineer?

Senior Controls Engineers are experienced professionals who design, develop, and implement control systems for manufacturing processes, machinery, or automation equipment. They are responsible for programming controllers (such as PLCs), troubleshooting control system issues, and ensuring optimal system performance and safety. Senior Controls Engineers often lead project teams, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with other departments to integrate new technologies. Their expertise is crucial for streamlining production, reducing downtime, and maintaining compliance with industry standards.

What are the typical responsibilities of a senior controls engineer in a manufacturing environment?

As a Senior Controls Engineer in a manufacturing setting, you can expect to lead the design, programming, and troubleshooting of automation systems such as PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA. Your responsibilities often include overseeing control system upgrades, optimizing equipment for efficiency, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. You will regularly collaborate with cross-functional teams—including maintenance, production, and IT—to implement solutions and support continuous improvement initiatives. Managing complex projects and mentoring junior engineers are also common aspects of the role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior controls engineer?

To thrive as a Senior Controls Engineer, you need a strong background in electrical engineering, automation, and control systems, often supported by a relevant bachelor's degree and several years of experience in industrial automation. Expertise in PLC programming, SCADA systems, HMI development, and knowledge of industry standards and certifications like ISA or PE are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, project management, and excellent communication skills help distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies ensure the effective design, implementation, and troubleshooting of complex control systems, which are critical for operational safety, efficiency, and project success.

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

AspectSenior Controls EngineerControls Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, experience, possibly certifications like Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST)Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field, entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentDesign, development, troubleshooting, project leadership in industrial or manufacturing settingsImplementing control systems, programming, testing, and maintenance in similar environments
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing, automation, process control companiesSimilar industries, often as entry to mid-level roles within the same sectors

The main difference is experience level and responsibility. Senior Controls Engineers typically lead projects, design complex systems, and mentor junior staff, while Controls Engineers focus on implementing and maintaining control systems. Both roles require similar credentials and work in comparable environments, but the senior role involves more leadership and advanced technical skills.

What cities near Lebanon, KY are hiring for Senior Controls Engineer jobs?

Cities near Lebanon, KY with the most Senior Controls Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Controls Engineer job openings in Lebanon, KY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,175 per year, or $47.2 per hour.

Sr. Engineer, Automation Engineering, Controls Hardware - Lilly Medicine Foundry

Biopharma Careers

Lebanon, KY • On-site

$66 - $172/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

At Lilly, the work is demanding because patients are waiting. We unite caring with discovery to help make life better for people around the world, knowing that every decision, every detail, and every day matters. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, our over 50,000 employees around the globe take on complex challenges to discover and deliver life-changing medicines, strengthen how health is understood and managed, and support the communities we serve. This is hard, urgent, selfless work, but it’s work worth doing. If you’re driven by purpose and ready to bring your best to work that truly matters for patients, we invite you to join us.

The Senior Engineer - Automation Engineering will work as a member of the Automation Engineering Department at Eli Lilly, Foundry. The engineer will provide automation support for one or more operating areas across site and/or for capital projects, with primary focus on Instrumentation and Control Hardware. Process Automation is core to delivering the right first-time facility start-up and continued support of ongoing manufacturing operations into the future.

The Senior Engineer will collaborate and partner with cross-functional peers to support successful delivery of robust control systems and instrumentation.

In the project delivery phase and startup phase of the project (startup expected 2026 to 2028), automation engineering roles will be fluid and dynamic as we endeavor to support the project delivery, build a new organization, develop and implement the necessary systems and business processes required to support GMP operations, and build the site culture. This will require significant collaboration, creativity and resilience as the site grows to a full scale GMP manufacturing through start up.

Key Objectives/Deliverables
  • Experience working with DeltaV Distributed Control System, Batch Process Automation.
  • Experience working with Rockwell Allen Bradley PLC’s, FactoryTalk View.
  • Experience working with DeltaV control panels, DeltaV Remote I/O panels and Rockwell I/O’s.
  • Experience in performing automation engineering activities including design, Development and Commissioning Process Automation projects using DeltaV DCS and/or Rockwell Allen Bradley PLC.
  • Experience with tuning and troubleshooting of control loops and Field Instruments.
  • Hands-on experience in configuration and troubleshooting of Variable Frequency Drives (VFD’s).
  • Thorough understanding of P&ID’s and Instrument loop drawings.
  • Understanding various process control communication protocols.
  • Operational Excellence
  • Site operation runtime support, enhance control system reliability and lifecycle management, in a GMP regulated environment.
  • Support capital project execution, Commissioning and Qualification.
  • Demonstrated ability in resolving complex technical challenges with instrument and control system hardware.
  • Work with Site Area leads and System Integrators.
  • Develop and Review Functional Requirements, Design Specifications and Test Specifications.
  • Demonstrated experience utilizing Master maintenance plans.
  • Familiarity with 21CFR Part 11, GMP processes.
  • Participate in design reviews and Site system hardware reviews, attend equipment FATs.
  • Provide periodic status updates to Project Management.
  • Support electronic systems (such as plant historians) used to capture process automation related production data.
  • Maintain the validated state of the site control system hardware in line with Lilly quality standards including the development and execution of validation strategies and associated documentation.
  • Good planning and organizational skills, ability to prioritize tasks, commitment to task completion and timelines.
Organizational Capability
  • In coordination with automation and compliance consultants, set and reinforce standards for appropriate rigor in automation work products.
  • Engage with cross-functional peers to strengthen technical capabilities and adopt best practices to enhance system reliability and business continuity.
Basic Requirements
  • Minimum B.S. in Engineering or related degree and experience in Automation Engineering
  • 2+ years working experience in Pharmaceutical or highly regulated environment
  • Knowledge of GMP, regulatory requirements, computer system validation
  • Available to participate in a rotational on-call schedule
  • Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization or visas for this role, including but not limited to F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, J-1, H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, or L-1.
Preferred Requirements
  • Experience working in highly automated facility, using DeltaV DCS, Rockwell Allen Bradley PLC, Veeva, PI, and/or BMS Warehouse Monitoring from design through Startup.
  • Possess a keen technical curiosity and has demonstrated strong problem-solving skills and a desire for continuous improvement
  • Good written and verbal communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Hands‑on experience working directly with automation control panel hardware and wiring.

Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form ( https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation ) for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.

Lilly is proudto beanEEOEmployeranddoesnotdiscriminateonthebasisofage, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, nationalorigin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legallyprotectedstatus.

Ouremployeeresourcegroups(ERGs)offerstrongsupportnetworksfortheirmembersandareopentoallemployees.Ourcurrentgroupsinclude:Africa,MiddleEast,CentralAsia(AMECA),BlackEmployeesatLilly(BE@Lilly),ChineseCultureNetwork(CCN),EnAble,Evolve…...

Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is

$66,000 - $171,600

Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance).

In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees,

  • eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k)
  • pension
  • vacation benefits
  • eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits
  • flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts)
  • life insurance and death benefits
  • certain time off and leave of absence benefits
  • well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities)

Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.

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