Okay, I've searched for Controls Engineer full-time positions in Louisville, KY, requiring degrees in Electrical Engineering or Control Systems Engineering, experience in PLC programming and integration, with salaries between $80,000 and$125,000 per year. I have found 42 positions matching your criteria.

Sure. Here's the analysis:

Job Analysis:

The Controls Engineer role is fundamentally designed to bridge the gap between advanced manufacturing automation and customized engineering solutions. The candidate is expected to lead the programming, integration, and troubleshooting of complex control systems, including robots, PLCs, and HMIs, primarily within CNC machining environments. This role demands not just technical proficiency but also a hands-on approach to designing electrical schematics and panel layouts using specialized software like AutoCAD Electrical. The frequent travel aspect (around 25%) to client sites implies the need for strong interpersonal skills and adaptability to various manufacturing settings. The job’s emphasis on experience with FANUC Robotics, Allen-Bradley PLCs, and Pro-face HMIs highlights the technical depth required, while knowledge of shop tools and plant maintenance hints at a role that also respects practical manufacturing realities. Success here means delivering tailored, reliable automated solutions that enhance client operations and maintaining smooth project execution on-site and off-site. Effective problem-solving abilities—especially under ambiguous or troubleshooting-heavy conditions—along with the capacity to coordinate across engineering, production, and client teams, will be crucial. Overall, the role balances technical rigor with practical application, requiring a candidate who can think systematically about controls while maintaining agility in a customer-facing context.

Company Analysis:

Jobot operates in the recruiting, staffing, and consulting sector but with a distinctive edge—leveraging AI technology combined with human expertise to transform traditional hiring processes. As an employee-owned company since 2024, Jobot fosters a workplace culture grounded in kindness, respect, and long-term career development. This dual focus on innovation and culture suggests a progressive, mission-oriented environment where autonomy and responsibility are encouraged. The company's rapid growth and technological disruption mindset align with the need for roles that add measurable, client-facing value, suggesting the Controls Engineer position is critical not only for engineering solutions but also for sustaining the company’s reputation for quality and service. The role likely sits at the cross-section of technical delivery and client satisfaction, contributing to Jobot’s broader strategic aims of maintaining competitive differentiation. Candidates joining this environment should be comfortable in a fast-evolving, respectful, and collaborative culture that prizes both results and genuine human connection. The role’s visibility might extend beyond engineering, converting technical solutions into business outcomes, thereby offering significant opportunities for impact and growth within an innovative organization that values employee ownership and empowerment.

Absolutely. Here are some mock interview questions that could come up:

• Tell me about a time when you had to troubleshoot a complex PLC program onsite under pressure. How did you approach the problem, and what was the outcome?
• Describe an experience where you had to integrate FANUC robotics with other automation systems. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
• Explain how you have used AutoCAD Electrical in designing electrical schematics and panel layouts. How do you ensure accuracy and compliance?
• Can you share a situation where you needed to coordinate across different teams (engineering, production, client) to deliver a control system project? How did you manage communication and expectations?
• Detail your process for programming and configuring HMIs, particularly Pro-face. How do you balance functionality with user-friendliness?
• How would you approach customizing a CNC machining center for a new client with unique requirements? Walk me through your method from concept to implementation.
• Imagine you arrive at a client site and discover the existing control system has undocumented modifications causing malfunctions. What steps do you take to resolve these issues?
• If you are tasked with reducing downtime for a manufacturing plant by improving machine control systems, what key performance indicators (KPIs) would you focus on, and how would you implement improvements?
• Why are you interested in working at Jobot, especially considering our mission of combining AI with human recruitment expertise?
• How do your personal values align with Jobot’s culture of kindness, respect, and building lasting careers?
• Given Jobot’s employee-owned model and focus on innovation, how would you contribute to fostering a collaborative and proactive work environment within the engineering team?
• What excites you most about working with machine tool distribution and automation solutions, and how do you stay current with evolving technologies in this niche?
• Can you describe a time you had to learn and apply a new technology or tool quickly to meet a project deadline? How did you manage the learning curve?
• What strategies do you use to handle travel obligations and maintain productivity and communication when working offsite?
• What questions do you have about the Controls Engineer role, the engineering team, or how Jobot integrates its technology-driven culture with client-facing services?