Controls Engineer

Join our team in Monroe, Ohio as a Controls Engineer at Worthington Steel. In this role, you'll help drive safe, reliable, and high-performing operations by strengthening automation, equipment reliability, and process performance through hands-on technical leadership and collaboration.

The Controls Engineer is responsible for the design, implementation, optimization, and sustainment of industrial control systems supporting Worthington Steel Monroe operations. This role is critical to driving equipment reliability, process capability, safety, and productivity across coating, slitting, blanking, and material handling operations. The Controls Engineer partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and OEMs to deliver robust, standardized, and scalable automation solutions aligned with Worthington Steel's business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Controls & Automation:

Design, program, troubleshoot, and optimize PLC, HMI, and industrial network systems supporting manufacturing operations

Develop and maintain control system standards, documentation, and change management practices

Lead or support controls scope for capital projects, equipment upgrades, and line modifications

Interface with OEMs and integrators to ensure systems meet Worthington Steel specifications and cybersecurity requirements

Support commissioning, start-up, and validation of new or modified equipment Reliability & Continuous Improvement:

Diagnose chronic equipment and process issues related to controls, instrumentation, and automation

Partner with Maintenance and Operations to reduce downtime, improve OEE, and eliminate recurring failures

Apply root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective action methodologies to controls-related incidents

Identify opportunities for automation, data integration, and system modernization Safety, Quality & Compliance:

Ensure control systems comply with safety standards (e.g., lockout, safety PLCs, guarding, interlocks)

Support EH&S initiatives through engineered safety solutions and risk reduction

Maintain compliance with applicable electrical codes, industry standards, and internal policies

Support quality systems by ensuring controls support process stability and product conformance Collaboration & Leadership:

Serve as a technical resource and mentor for maintenance technicians and engineers

Collaborate cross-functionally to align controls strategy with operational priorities

Participate in plant reliability, capital planning, and continuous improvement initiatives Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)

Minimum 3-5 years of hands-on industrial controls experience in a manufacturing environment

Strong working knowledge of PLC platforms (e.g., Rockwell/Allen-Bradley preferred)

Experience with HMIs, VFDs, servos, instrumentation, and industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, etc.)

Proven troubleshooting skills in high-speed, continuous or batch manufacturing environments

Ability to work safely and effectively in an industrial steel processing environment Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in steel processing, metals manufacturing, or heavy industrial operations

Knowledge of safety PLCs and machine safety standards (e.g., SIL, PL, NFPA)

Familiarity with data acquisition, MES, or plant floor systems integration

Project management experience supporting capital or major maintenance initiatives Key Competencies:

Results-driven with a strong bias for action

Structured problem solver with a reliability mindset

Effective communicator across technical and non-technical teams

High accountability with strong attention to detail

Ability to prioritize work in a fast-paced, production-driven environment Working Conditions:

Manufacturing plant environment with exposure to noise, heat, and moving equipment

Occasional off-shift or weekend support may be required to support operations or project execution

About Us

Hesitant to apply because you may not meet every specific requirement? If this role is something you are interested in, but your previous experience doesn't exactly align, we encourage you to apply! At Worthington Steel we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We recognize that individuals with diverse experiences and backgrounds are essential to our success. You may be the perfect candidate for this role or others within our organization.

Worthington Steel (NYSE:WS) is a metals processor that partners with customers to deliver highly technical and customized solutions. Worthington Steel's expertise in carbon flat-roll steel processing, electrical steel laminations and tailor welded solutions are driving steel toward a more sustainable future.

As one of the most trusted metals processors in North America, Worthington Steel and its 4,600 employees harness the power of steel to advance our customers' visions through value-added processing capabilities including galvanizing, pickling, configured blanking, specialty cold reduction, lightweighting and electrical lamination. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Worthington operates 32 facilities in seven states and six countries. Following a people-first Philosophy, commitment to sustainability and proven business system, Worthington Steel's purpose is to generate positive returns by providing trusted and innovative solutions for customers, creating opportunities for employees, and strengthening its communities.

Worthington Steel Inc., and its subsidiaries, is an equal employment opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered regardless of race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, disability or veteran's status.