Controls Estimation Engineer

Controls Estimation Engineer

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The Controls Estimation Engineer will be responsible for developing accurate and competitive controls system estimates, conceptual designs, and functional scopes for automated material handling solutions. This position requires experience working with industrial automation—including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, VFDs, robotics interfaces, and conveyor/sortation equipment—and the ability to collaborate closely with all DLN business units including sales, solutions engineering, mechanical, controls, software, and project management.

This role is challenged by the need to manage often competing expectations with a highly dynamic sales cycle.

This full-time position is on-site in Grand Rapids, Michigan with some hybrid flexibility.

Immigration sponsorship is not available for this role.

• Develop controls system concepts, budgets, and BOM-level estimates for conveyor, sortation, AS/RS, AMR, and robotic systems.
• Review and interpret customer RFP requirements, specifications, and functional design expectation
• Influence operational flows, system designs, sales strategies, & DLN Standards
• Produce preliminary system architectures including PLC platforms, network topology, field I/O counts, safety circuits, and HMI needs.
• Support sales and solutions teams by delivering complete controls scope packages, including functional description outlines and cost models.
• Perform in-person site audits & technical presentations

• Review controls engineering documentation including electrical drawings, communication architecture diagrams, and control schematics
• Evaluate vendor solutions, panel designs, SCADA blocks, and device-level requirements.

• Collaborate with mechanical engineering, project managers, and applications engineers to ensure alignment between mechanical scope, throughput expectations, and controls costs.
• Lead concept reviews, estimation reviews, and internal handoffs

• Apply knowledge of commissioning practices—including I/O validation, PLC/HMI debugging, system checkout, and throughput verification
• Identify risk factors, integration complexity, resource assumptions, and schedule impacts.

• Support refinement of internal estimation tools, controls standards, and design templates.
• Maintain familiarity with new automation technologies used in material handling (including AS/RS, robotics, AMRs)

• 5+ years of experience in automation, controls engineering, Software, or system integration.
• Bachelor’s Degree in controls, software, mechanical, mechatronics, robotics, or industrial engineering.
• Strong understanding of PLC programming (Allen Bradley preferred), HMI development (AB or Ignition), and industrial communication networks such as Ethernet/IP, Device Net, or Profinet
• Familiarity with conveyor/sortation systems and integration of scanners, cameras, and robotics
• Ability to read, interpret, & generate electrical schematics and panel layouts.
• Ability to clearly communicate technical concepts with audiences who have wide ranging skill sets including internal & external stakeholders

• Experience with estimating or sales engineering in material handling automation.
• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical.
• Knowledge of safety standards (NFPA 79, NEC).
• Experience with AS/RS, AMRs, AGVs, robotics, or warehouse execution systems.
• Ability to travel occasionally for site visits (≈20%).

• Design clear, correct, and technically sound solutions considering multiple inputs
• Deliver accurate estimations in a timely manner
• Ability to modulate in real time the level of detail required for each opportunity
• Manage multiple opportunities at various different stages simultaneously
• Strong collaboration with all DLN Teams
• Risk Identification & documentation
• Demonstrated growth in knowledge of new automation technologies