Associate Controls Engineer

What is this role? 

As an Associate Controls Engineer at Cirkul, you will be responsible for the design, development, implementation, and support of industrial control systems across manufacturing and packaging operations. This role plays a critical part in ensuring equipment reliability, performance, and scalability by delivering robust PLC, HMI, and automation solutions that support production, quality, and safety goals.

You will work closely with Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and external vendors to develop new automation technologies, integrate equipment from multiple OEMs, and improve existing systems. The Controls Engineer will be hands-on in troubleshooting, commissioning, and continuous improvement efforts, while also contributing to standards, documentation, and best practices across the organization.

As Cirkul continues to grow and deploy new technologies, this role requires a strong technical foundation, the ability to work independently, and the mindset to build scalable, maintainable control systems that support long-term operational excellence.

What does an average day look like?

Driving Results: Design, implement, and support control system solutions that improve safety, quality, throughput, uptime, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) across manufacturing and assembly operations.
Taking Ownership: Own the performance and reliability of PLC, HMI, and automation systems by troubleshooting issues, implementing permanent fixes, and proactively identifying opportunities for system and process improvement.
Making Decisions: Apply Cirkul’s engineering standards and best practices while developing new control strategies, architectures, and documentation to support evolving equipment, processes, and technologies.
Cultivating Relationships: Partner closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, and external vendors to support production needs, commission new equipment, and ensure automation systems are understood, supported, and maintainable.
Instilling Trust: Build trust through consistent, high-quality technical execution, clear communication, and well-documented control systems that operators, technicians, and engineers can rely on.
Customer Focus: Ensure control systems meet Cirkul’s quality, safety, and performance requirements so that products are produced consistently and reliably for customers every time.

What background should you have? 

• 1-2 years of experience (including internships) in industrial automation or controls engineering within high-speed manufacturing, packaging, or process environments, with increasing technical responsibility.
• Hands-on experience supporting and integrating automated equipment such as fillers, conveyors, packers, inspection systems, material handling systems, and other OEM machinery.
• Demonstrated ability to design, program, commission, and troubleshoot PLC, HMI, and automation systems in a production environment while supporting quality, safety, and throughput requirements.
• Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles, and structured problem-solving methodologies, with the ability to translate improvement opportunities into effective control system and automation solutions.
• Proven commitment to machine and personnel safety, including safe control system design, E-Stops, interlocks, and compliance with applicable electrical and safety standards.
• Ability to deliver reliable, maintainable control solutions in a fast-paced, high-demand manufacturing environment, balancing urgency with long-term system integrity.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, make sound engineering decisions with minimal guidance, and take ownership of system performance from concept through production support.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and external vendors.
• Willingness to support production as needed, including seeing work through to completion during startups, commissioning, and critical downtime events.
• Positive, solution-oriented mindset with the ability to work across all levels of the organization and thrive in a rapidly growing, evolving manufacturing environment.