Electrical Controls Engineer

Howmet Aerospace•Morristown, TN

About The Position

Responsible for designing, developing, programming, installing, commissioning, and providing technical support for electrical control systems, equipment, and machinery. The role applies hands-on expertise in PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, instrumentation, VFDs, electrical schematics, control-panel design, and system integration to support safe, efficient, and reliable manufacturing processes. The engineer supports automation initiatives, continuous improvement, equipment integration, troubleshooting, documentation, and project execution from concept through startup and operator training. The position works with maintenance personnel, technicians, process engineers, production teams, management, vendors, contractors, and other stakeholders to develop and implement control-system and automation solutions. It also supports standards, documentation, change management, software version tracking, and training, while promoting safe, reliable, ergonomic, and scalable improvements to manufacturing operations.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Three or more years of experience with electronics, electrical controls, equipment wiring, PLC programming, HMI development, or related industrial automation work.
Hands-on experience with electrical control-panel design, building, wiring, installation, or troubleshooting.
PLC and HMI programming experience, including Allen-Bradley RSLogix 500, Studio 5000 / Logix 5000, ladder logic, structured text, and function block programming.
Knowledge of electrical controls, control-panel design, panel building, wiring, power distribution, motor control, sensors, instrumentation, VFDs, and automation.
Knowledge of industrial networks, system integration, SCADA, I/O systems, network troubleshooting, and control-system architecture.
Ability to create, interpret, revise, and manage electrical schematics and documentation.
Ability to read and interpret electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical schematics and drawings.
Experience with commissioning, fault finding, system debugging, process tuning, and structured problem solving.
Project management and engineering design-process skills, including vendor and contractor coordination, costing, quotations, and execution.
Working knowledge of NFPA 70, NFPA 70E, NFPA 79, IEC 61131, applicable ISO standards, and UL 508A.
Strong written and verbal communication, documentation, collaboration, leadership, organization, and prioritization skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

Associate's degree in electrical engineering or equivalent.
Hands-on capability in electrical fault finding, mechanical-system troubleshooting, and effective problem resolution.
Experience developing and implementing automation upgrades in a manufacturing environment.
Experience supporting commissioning, startup, and training for newly installed or modified equipment.
Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a cross-functional team.
Strong interpersonal skills, creative problem-solving, documentation, and organizational skills.
Detail-oriented approach, a strong sense of urgency, and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

Develop, program, and support control systems for safe, efficient, and reliable manufacturing processes.
Design and program PLC logic, HMI screens, SCADA interfaces, and industrial communication networks, including ladder logic, structured text, and function block programming.
Create, redline, modify, and correct electrical schematics and control-system drawings using CAD software.
Develop I/O lists, control narratives, functional specifications, network layouts, panel drawings, bills of materials, and other automation-project documentation.
Design, build, modify, and support electrical control panels in accordance with NFPA 79 and UL 508A requirements.
Ensure control systems include appropriate safety features and comply with applicable standards.
Specify and procure electrical components, sensors, instrumentation, motor-control devices, VFDs, network hardware, and other required equipment.
Integrate new equipment, robotics, instrumentation, sensors, and VFDs into plant control and manufacturing systems.
Lead commissioning and startup activities, including installation support, I/O checkout, testing, debugging, software tuning, functional validation, and operator or technician training.
Troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, instrumentation, electrical systems, motor controls, and related mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems.
Partner with maintenance personnel, technicians, process engineers, and production teams to resolve control-system and equipment problems.
Coordinate design, costing, quotations, scheduling, installation, commissioning, and execution of electrical, controls, and automation upgrades with stakeholders, vendors, and contractors.
Provide engineering support for internally or externally designed and built projects, including design reviews and field verification.
Optimize system performance through software modifications, process tuning, standardization, and scalable automation improvements.
Maintain control-program backups, revision histories, network documentation, electrical schematics, and equipment records.
Support change management, software version tracking, programming standards, reusable templates, and revision-control practices.
Train and mentor technicians and junior engineers on control systems, troubleshooting, documentation, and safe work practices.
Apply systems thinking, anticipate potential issues, use data to inform decisions, prioritize responses, and promote collaboration and continuous improvement across shop-floor and engineering teams.