Senior Controls Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 20, 2026. First seen by Alion on Aug 24, 2026. Sonoco scores B on the Alion truth index.
From a small family business to a multi-billion-dollar global company, Sonoco has been changing the face of products and packaging since 1899 - all while keeping the heart of “People Build Businesses” alive.
Our talented people are at the core of our growth, constantly reinventing the Sonoco wheel with brilliant solutions every year. Today we are a world leader in global packaging solutions with diversified operations in over 34 countries. We're extremely proud of our portfolio of brands, our achievements in sustainability and industrialization and the groundbreaking work accomplished by our people.
Reporting directly to Sonoco’s Manufacturing Automation Engineering Manager, the Senior Controls Engineer will be responsible for leading the electrical and controls design effort in Machinery Manufacturing’s new facility in Hartsville, SC. They will be responsible for the design, build, integration, installation, and support of innovative controls and automation solutions for high volume, diverse manufacturing technologies for Sonoco’s 300 global facilities.
Responsibilities
What you will be doing:
- Design electrical and control systems for customized automation solutions using EPLAN.
- Development of and compliance with process standards that will ensure consistency in the process to include a specific focus on maximizing the safety performance of all solutions.
- Manage the change management process and IP security for all elements of solutions to include, but not limited to drawings, source code, and concepts.
- Actively participate in and lead collaborative brainstorming sessions to conceptualize the simplest automation solution for complex problems.
- Provide support for and assist Automation Technicians during panel fabrication, shop testing, installation, and field support.
- Develop reliable PLC programs in the Studio5000 environment.
- Develop intuitive HMI programs.
- Integrate comprehensive alarms and messaging into PLC and HMI programs.
- Provide advanced troubleshooting for automated machinery as needed.
- Collaborate with Operations and Maintenance teams to ensure equipment is properly operated and maintained.
- Support automated data collection and reliability tracking.
- Create capital project proposals that clearly communicate the opportunity and proposed solution to Plant, Divisional, and Corporate leadership teams
- Manage automation projects including supervising in-house, contract, and OEM resources to ensure projects are completed on-time and on-budget.
- Collaborate with internal Supply Management and OEM to generate general scopes and/or detailed Performance - Statement of Work documents for new assets.
- Actively collaborate with the Business Units in the Continuous Improvement Effort: Always find a way to keep improving. Maintain a working knowledge of Sonoco’s products, processes, and machinery.
- Directs drafters, designers, and technicians assigned to his projects. Obtains outside resources as required to accomplish project goals.
- Coordinates projects with other departments as required.
- Makes branch plant trips or vendor visits as required to accomplish project objectives.
- Works closely with manufacturing personnel, division managers, marketing, and other disciplines as required.
- Solid knowledge of all applicable safety regulations related to controls and automation solutions
- Solid understanding and experience with electrical control system design software (EPLAN preferred)
- Overseeing lean control panel fabrication process. (leveraging EPLAN Pro Panel or similar)
- PLC and HMI programming (Studio5000 for PLC and Maple Systems for HMIs preferred)
- Ignition or similar SCADA system experience is a plus.
- Solid knowledge of troubleshooting equipment problems and performing complex system tests
- Creative thinking skills
- Detail-oriented personality
- Continuous improvement mindset
- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
- Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with other members of the development team and Sonoco leadership.
- Operates effectively in high pressure environments.
We'd love to hear from you if:
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical/Controls Engineering or similar equivalent experience.
- Minimum 8-10 Years in Controls and Automation design.
Compensation:
The annual base salary range for this role is from $138,320 to $172,900. This position is eligible for a bonus as well.
At Sonoco Products Company, we offer a comprehensive total rewards package, including competitive pay and benefits. *Benefits listed below are for employees located in the U.S. Specific benefits and wellbeing programs may vary depending on your location (within the U.S. or global), or if you are a union employee.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, including FSA and HSA options
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Wellbeing tools and resources to support holistic health, including an Employee Assistance Program with a variety of services
- Paid time off and holidays to recreate, rejuvenate and care for the health of yourself and family
- Variety of company paid and voluntary employee-paid insurance plans including life, personal accident, and disability insurance
- Tuition reimbursement
We are an equal opportunity employer, and we strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.