Senior Electrical Controls Engineer

Company Summary We are a leading U.S.

-based manufacturer of high-quality sheet metal fabrication machinery. We offer one of the most complete lines of fabrication equipment you will find in the US. As a family-owned company, we emphasize precision, durability, long service life, and customer-focused solutions. With a proud legacy of craftsmanship, supportive culture, and many long-tenured employees (some 30–50+ years), the company values integrity, loyalty, collaboration, and flexibility in a close-knit environment.

Job Summary The Senior Electrical Controls Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and supporting electrical control systems for sheet metal fabrication equipment and automated machinery. This role plays a critical part in enhancing machine performance, reliability, and innovation across our product lines, while providing controls support across all three company locations

Responsibilities

Design and develop electrical control systems for metal fabrication machinery

Program and maintain PLCs and operator interfaces (HMI)
Develop electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and panel layouts using Solid Works Electrical or similar tools

Specify components such as drives, motors, sensors, safety devices, and control panels

Integrate motion control systems, including servo drives and positioning systems

Support new product development and engineering improvements on existing equipment

Lead machine startup, commissioning, and factory acceptance testing (FAT)
Troubleshoot and resolve electrical/control issues in both production and field environments

Collaborate with mechanical engineering, production, and service teams

Ensure compliance with UL, CE, NEC, and NFPA standards

Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers/technicians

Interface with vendors, customers, service, sales, and external technical partners

Support controls strategy across all three companies, help modernize systems, develop training for service teams, and gather customer feedback

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field7–10+ years of controls engineering experience in industrial machinery or OEM environments

Strong experience with PLCs, drives, servo systems, motor controls, and VFDsExperience PLCs and drivesHMI development experience

Ability to design and interpret electrical schematics and panel layouts

Hands-on troubleshooting experience with industrial equipment

Senior-level profile capable of working independently with service, sales, vendors, and external partners

Mechanical aptitude and strong problem-solving/diagnostic skills

Cross-functional collaboration and project/time management abilities

Willingness to travel occasionally

Preferred Requirements Experience in sheet metal fabrication equipment or the machine tool industry

Familiarity with CNC controls or machine automation

Knowledge of safety systems

Experience with international standards

Project leadership experience

Hydraulics exposure

Experience with the ECS control platform used on CNC folding systems

Compensation/Benefits Target salary range: $100,000 – $145,000

Bonus:
Project-based bonus is possible

Benefits include 401(k) with safe harbor match, medical coverage, and extended benefits

Location

Based a in Rockford, Illinois Not a remote position

You should be proficient in:

PLC Troubleshooting Skills Troubleshooting Industrial Automation Equipment Machines & technologies you'll use:

CNC Automation Solutions (Siemens)
Variable Frequency Drives (VFD)
CAD Software (Solidworks)
Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) (Allen Bradley, Siemens, Beckoff, Schneider Electric)
Servo Motors
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