Lead PLC Design Engineer

Lead PLC Design Engineer provides technical leadership and oversight for the design, documentation, and implementation of PLC-based control systems across multiple projects. This role is responsible for guiding engineering teams, ensuring design consistency, and maintaining high standards of quality and execution.

Serving as a key liaison between engineering leadership and project teams, the Lead Engineer drives best practices, supports team development, and ensures alignment with company standards and project objectives. This position plays a critical role in advancing design capabilities, improving workflows, and delivering scalable, high-quality engineering solutions.

• Lead the design and development of PLC-based control systems, including control panel layouts, wiring diagrams, schematics, and network architectures.
• Develop complete PLC I/O architectures, point-to-point wiring diagrams, loop drawings, and device connection details.
• Design and document industrial control panels, including power distribution, grounding, component layout, and enclosure configuration.
• Develop system layouts using floor plans to integrate control panels, field devices, instrumentation, and network infrastructure.
• Engineer industrial network architectures, including Ethernet/IP layouts, switch configurations, device addressing, and communication structures.
• Translate mechanical, electrical, and process drawings into coordinated control system designs.
• Prepare and review submittals, bills of material (BOMs), device schedules, and construction documentation.

• Assist management with workload planning, project assignments, and resource allocation.
• Identify skill gaps and support development of training plans to enhance team capabilities.
• Promote adoption of design standards, templates, and engineering best practices.
• Lead design efforts for assigned projects, ensuring alignment with scope, schedule, and technical requirements.
• Coordinate with Project Managers, engineers, programmers, panel shops, and field teams to ensure successful execution.
• Generate and respond to RFIs to resolve design clarifications.
• Identify and resolve design conflicts, missing information, and coordination issues across disciplines.
• Support commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting activities as needed.

• Perform and lead QA/QC reviews of drawings, submittals, and as-built documentation.
• Ensure compliance with company standards, CAD practices, and applicable codes (NEC, NFPA, UL 508A).
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to entry-level and junior designers/engineers.
• Contribute to development and refinement of design standards, templates, and workflows.
• Maintain organized project documentation, revisions, and design records throughout the project lifecycle.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD or AutoCAD Electrical.
• Expert-level understanding of PLC-based control systems, panel design, and industrial networks.
• Strong knowledge of applicable codes and standards (NEC, NFPA, UL 508A).
• Demonstrated leadership, mentoring, or supervisory experience.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

• 7+ years of experience in controls design, electrical design, or industrial automation.
• Experience coordinating across disciplines and supporting project execution.
• Experience with commissioning, startup, or troubleshooting preferred.
• Experience with Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley platforms (Control Logix, Compact Logix).
• Familiarity with Revit, Bluebeam, or other design/documentation tools.
• Experience with industrial or mission-critical systems (HVAC, chiller plants, process systems, data centers).

• Sit and/or stand for extended periods (typically 6-8 hours per day) while performing computer-based tasks and facility support tasks.
• Use hands and fingers to operate standard office equipment, including computers, keyboards, mice, telephones, scanners and printers.
• Occasionally stand, walk, bend, stoop, or reach to access filing cabinets, retrieve documents, or attend meetings.
• Lift, carry, push, or pull light objects and materials weighing up to 20-25 pounds (e.g., boxes of files or office supplies).
• Have sufficient vision (with or without correction) to read computer screens, printed documents, and small print; and sufficient hearing to communicate effectively by phone and in person.
• Work in a typical indoor office environment with moderate noise levels from office equipment, conversations, and occasional interruptions.