Controls Engineer
Posted May 18, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026
Likely interview questions for this role
Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.
Behavioral
Walk me through a time you troubleshot a PLC or HMI issue on a production line that was down. What was your process for finding the root cause?
Whether they have a structured troubleshooting approach versus guessing under pressure
Describe a time you had to explain a technical control system issue to someone without an engineering background.
Ability to translate technical detail for non-technical internal customers, a named job duty
Tell me about a capital project where you had to guide an outside equipment supplier or installation contractor on control system requirements.
Experience directing vendors rather than just executing internal tasks
Describe a situation where you mentored a less experienced engineer or technician through a control system problem.
Fit for the mentoring and SME responsibilities called out explicitly in the role
Tell me about a project you managed from initial scope through commissioning and customer acceptance. What went wrong and how did you handle it?
Real project management experience across the full lifecycle, not just the technical build
Technical
Tell me about your hands-on experience with RSLogix or Studio 5000 and FactoryTalk View. What kind of programs have you built or modified?
Depth of real experience with the exact tools the job requires versus surface familiarity
Have you worked with Fanuc robots or GE Proficy Machine Edition and Historian? Tell me about a specific project where you used them.
Whether preferred qualifications are genuine experience or just resume keywords
What's your experience with Ethernet/IP communication setups, and can you describe a time you diagnosed a communication fault between devices on the network?
Practical depth in industrial networking troubleshooting beyond textbook knowledge
What safety practices do you follow when working inside energized electrical cabinets?
Basic safety competence and whether they take electrical hazard work seriously
Situational
Say a machine goes down on second shift and you're the only controls resource available. How do you decide what to check first, and when do you escalate?
Judgment under time pressure and awareness of when to bring in others in a high-uptime environment
How would you go about turning a vague request from a plant operations team into a functional specification and then a system design spec?
Whether they understand the requirements-to-design workflow described in the posting, not just coding
How do you approach documentation and adherence to company standards when you're under pressure to get a line running again quickly?
Whether corners get cut on process discipline when speed and correctness compete
If two production lines both had control issues at the same time and you had limited resources, how would you prioritize?
Ability to multitask and make prioritization calls in a fast-paced plant environment
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As published by Generac.
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