Controls Engineer

Senior Controls Engineer

The Senior Controls Engineer leads the design, development, and execution of industrial automation and control system projects from initial concept through commissioning. This role serves as a key technical leader and primary customer-facing resource, with a strong focus on industrial control panel engineering and UL 508A standards. The engineer takes full ownership of day-to-day project execution, technical decision-making, and customer communication, enabling engineering leadership to focus on strategic initiatives.

This position is ideal for professionals who want end-to-end responsibility, enjoy hands-on technical problem-solving, and are passionate about control panel design and industrial automation.

• Lead all phases of controls engineering projects, including scope development, quoting support, detailed design, documentation, fabrication support, testing, and commissioning.
• Design industrial control panels in accordance with UL 508A standards and industry best practices, ensuring safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance.
• Create comprehensive electrical schematics, panel layouts, bills of materials, and supporting project documentation using AutoCAD Electrical and related design tools.
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for customers throughout project execution, translating customer requirements into engineered solutions and maintaining strong communication.
• Collaborate closely with project managers, fabrication teams, sales personnel, and customers to ensure successful project delivery on time and within scope.
• Conduct engineering reviews of designs, drawings, and project documentation to ensure quality, accuracy, and adherence to applicable standards.
• Support commissioning activities and troubleshooting efforts for installed systems, resolving controls and automation issues in the field as needed.
• Utilize document control systems to manage engineering files, design revisions, and project records in a structured and traceable manner.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians, promoting best practices, technical excellence, and consistent design standards across projects.
• Maintain clear and proactive communication with customers to understand requirements, provide regular updates, and ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Support fabrication and panel shop environments by providing clear design intent, responding to technical questions, and ensuring manufacturability of control panels.
• Apply expertise in PLC, HMI, and VFD programming (particularly Allen-Bradley platforms) when needed to support integrated automation solutions.
• Present technical information and project status to customers and internal stakeholders in a confident, clear, and professional manner.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, balancing detailed technical work with customer expectations and project schedules.
• Act as a recognized technical leader for complex controls projects, owning design execution, customer communication, and project delivery with minimal oversight.

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• 8+ years of controls engineering experience in industrial automation, system integration, or control panel design.
• Strong expertise in industrial control panel design and electrical systems, with solid familiarity and practical experience with UL 508A standards.
• Demonstrated experience designing and documenting UL 508A-compliant control panels from concept through fabrication.
• Proven ability to independently manage projects and drive them to successful completion while coordinating with cross-functional teams.
• Experience interacting directly with customers and translating their requirements into robust engineered solutions.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical or similar electrical design software for schematics, panel layouts, and documentation.
• Strong skills in creating electrical schematics, panel layouts, and bills of materials for industrial control systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technical information to customers and stakeholders.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel to customer sites as needed (up to approximately 20% travel).
• Ability to handle end-to-end panel design and customer interactions, maintaining ownership and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.
• Controls engineering and controls design experience with automation systems and programmable logic controllers.
• Ability to troubleshoot PLC-based control systems and support commissioning and field issue resolution.
• Highly organized approach with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining quality and schedule.
• Strong ownership mentality and ability to work with minimal supervision in a remote environment.

• Experience programming PLCs, particularly Allen-Bradley platforms,…