Thomas Manning, 25
Controls & Automation Engineer
Hargrove Controls & Automation
Mobile, AL, United States
What Makes Thomas an Engineering Leader
Thomas has demonstrated a strong early-career impact as a controls and automation engineer at Hargrove, progressing quickly from co-op student to full-time engineer. He has supported complex automation projects involving PLC programming, SCADA system migrations and HMI development across industrial applications.
Thomas’s hands-on work implementing control systems, developing user-friendly interfaces and integrating advanced technologies demonstrates both technical capability and growth potential. He has quickly become a leading Siemens expert within his team. His ability to deliver reliable solutions and communicate directly with clients positions Thomas as an emerging leader in the next generation of engineering talent.
Leadership & Industry Contributions
At a steel mill, Thomas and a teammate supported the lead automation engineer in the melt shop. Their work involved Siemens equipment in both active production and shutdown conditions, making clear communication with all affected parties imperative.
The team often needed to download code changes to PLCs operating a variety of production equipment. Thomas consistently reminded his teammate to wait for approval from operations before initiating a download. Even for minor code changes, Thomas emphasized the importance of confirming that it was safe to proceed.
Thomas is also working on an internal project that will provide teammates with documentation for creating Siemens virtual machines and programming effectively in TIA Portal. The goal is to develop easy-to-follow resources that make the platform less daunting and allow more teammates to build Siemens expertise.
Why Thomas Chose This Career
Growing up, Thomas was fascinated by how things were created. From the baseball he threw to the television he watched, he recognized that someone was behind the design. His favorite show was How It’s Made, and he was intrigued by the complexities involved in manufacturing even the simplest products.
When the time came to choose a career path, Thomas knew he wanted to be involved in those processes. He earned a degree in computer engineering and began his career at a controls and automation firm. Looking back, Thomas cannot envision himself in any other field.
