Senior Controls Engineer

Sr. Controls Engineer

We are seeking a highly motivated Sr. or Principal Electrical Controls Engineer to join an Orlando-based team and play a key role in the growth and success of the Florida office. In this position, you will lead the design, integration, and field execution of highly complex, custom-engineered control systems across sports architecture, themed entertainment, and other industries that demand innovative mechanization solutions.

You will take ownership of projects from concept through commissioning, working hands-on with large-scale, one-of-a-kind systems to ensure they perform safely, reliably, and efficiently. This role involves a strong field presence with significant travel to support commissioning, troubleshooting, and customer-facing activities, and is ideal for an engineer who thrives in dynamic environments and enjoys solving challenging, real-world problems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of advanced electrical control systems for large machinery and custom mechanization projects in sports architecture, themed entertainment, and related industries.
• Own projects from initial concept through commissioning, ensuring that control system design, integration, and implementation meet performance, safety, and reliability requirements.
• Develop, review, and refine control system architectures, including PLC-based control, HMI interfaces, VFDs, servo systems, and motor control solutions.
• Create, read, and maintain detailed electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical documentation to support design, installation, and maintenance activities.
• Perform engineering calculations and apply finite element analysis (FEA) where appropriate to validate design decisions and ensure structural and operational integrity.
• Program, configure, and troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, and servo systems using Rockwell Studio 5000 or equivalent PLC platforms.
• Lead system commissioning activities on-site, including startup, testing, tuning, and validation of control systems for large-scale, custom-engineered equipment.
• Provide hands-on field support, including diagnosing and resolving technical issues, supporting installations, and ensuring successful system performance under real-world conditions.
• Coordinate closely with clients, contractors, and vendors to align technical requirements, manage expectations, and support successful project delivery.
• Apply functional safety principles and adhere to relevant standards, including familiarity with ASTM F2291 and the National Electrical Code (NEC), to ensure safe system operation.
• Manage technical risk on complex, custom-engineered systems by identifying potential issues early and implementing robust mitigation strategies.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of engineering processes, tools, and standards within the controls engineering discipline.
• Serve as a hands-on technical leader in the field, guiding multidisciplinary teams and supporting collaborative problem-solving on-site.

Essential Skills

• 10+ years of experience in controls engineering or a related field, or a minimum of 3+ years of experience for highly qualified candidates.
• Strong experience working with large machinery and complex, custom-engineered systems.
• Proven expertise with PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servo systems, and motor control in industrial or entertainment environments.
• High proficiency with Rockwell Studio 5000 or equivalent PLC programming platforms.
• Ability to design, read, and develop electrical schematics and related technical documentation.
• Experience with control system architecture, integration, and functional safety principles.
• Demonstrated experience in system commissioning, troubleshooting, and providing field support for installed systems.
• Familiarity with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and its application to industrial and mechanized systems.
• Must qualify as a U.S. person under ITAR due to access to export-controlled technical data.
• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field from an ABET-accredited institution.
• Strong hands-on problem-solving skills and the ability to operate effectively in dynamic…