Controls Engineer - Rockford Area

Controls Engineer | Rockford, MI

Salary Range: $83,000 - $128,000 depending on experience

Are you a dedicated professional with a passion for automation, PLC programming, and process control? The Pivot Group is committed to fostering meaningful relationships and supporting career growth. We partner with leading manufacturing companies in Rockford, seeking experienced Controls Engineers to strengthen their teams.

The Opportunity

We are collaborating with multiple companies in Rockford seeking experienced Controls Engineers. These organizations value long-term fit and are looking for professionals who bring both skill and alignment. By joining our network, you gain access to opportunities tailored to your goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement industrial control systems including PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA.
• Program and configure programmable logic controllers (PLCs), robotic systems, and other automation devices.
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve complex electrical, software, and hardware control system issues.
• Commission new manufacturing equipment, production lines, and control system upgrades.
• Develop and maintain detailed electrical schematics, control system documentation, and standard operating procedures.
• Optimize existing control systems for improved efficiency, reliability, and data acquisition.
• Ensure all control system designs and implementations comply with safety standards and industry regulations.

Recommended Qualifications

• Proficiency in PLC programming (e.g., Rockwell, Siemens) and troubleshooting.
• Experience with HMI/SCADA development and configuration.
• Strong understanding of industrial networking protocols (e.g., Ethernet/IP, Profibus).
• Familiarity with industrial robotics and/or complex motion control systems.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and P&IDs.
• Proven ability to diagnose and resolve complex automation system issues in a manufacturing environment.

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience with industrial robotics (FANUC, KUKA, ABB, Universal Robots).
• Proficiency in industrial vision systems (Cognex, Keyence, Datalogic).
• Familiarity with manufacturing execution systems (MES) or enterprise resource planning (ERP) integration.
• Experience with data historians, SQL databases, or reporting tools for production data analysis.

Job Titles That Should Apply

Controls Engineer, Control Systems Engineer, Automation Engineer, PLC Programmer, SCADA Engineer, Instrumentation & Controls Engineer, Industrial Controls Engineer, Automation Controls Engineer

Why Pivot Group

The Pivot Group was founded by manufacturing professionals who've been on both sides of the hiring process. Our clients are strategic—they partner with us because they want real insight into their roles and the people filling them, not a stack of resumes. We focus on match-driven placements built around what actually matters: Commute, Compensation, Culture, and Career trajectory.

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and connect with a firm that values fit over speed, we invite you to reach out. The Pivot Group offers resources to support your search—market insights, resume feedback, and interview preparation. As our partnerships grow, we'll reach out with opportunities aligned with your goals. Thank you for considering this approach to career advancement.