Controls Engineer

About the role

The Controls Engineer will design, program, and commission advanced control systems for custom friction and resistance welding machines used in aerospace, automotive, and other high-tech industries. This role is ideal for a focused, detail-oriented professional who takes pride in their work, enjoys collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering teams, and is eager to deepen their technical expertise in machine controls, automation, and industrial software.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with Applications Engineers, Fluid Systems Engineers, and Mechanical Engineers to develop effective machine control system solutions for friction welding equipment.
• Design and create detailed electrical schematics using AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, and/or ePLAN, ensuring accuracy and compliance with project requirements.
• Prepare and maintain Bills of Material documentation for control systems and related electrical components.
• Conduct machine commissioning activities, including setup, testing, troubleshooting, and validation of control systems.
• Interpret control system requirements from project scope documents and translate them into practical control architectures and software solutions.
• Implement ANSI and ISO machine design and safety standards within control system designs to ensure safe and reliable machine operation.
• Develop machine sequence and control flow charts that clearly define operational logic and process steps.
• Program and configure Human Machine Interface (HMI) applications for machine controls using Siemens and related automation products.
• Program, troubleshoot, and optimize Siemens PLCs for friction welding and resistance welding machines.
• Grow and develop expertise in machinery, machine controls, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human machine interfaces (HMIs), and associated control software.
• Support automation integration efforts, including coordination with robotics and other automated systems as required.
• Engage with customers in a professional, customer-facing capacity to understand requirements, discuss design solutions, and support commissioning or troubleshooting activities.
• Apply mechanical and electrical aptitude to diagnose issues, propose improvements, and ensure robust machine performance.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of control system standards, documentation, and best practices within the engineering team.

Essential Skills

• 2 to 5 years of experience working as a Controls Engineer in an industrial or automation environment.
• Hands-on Siemens PLC experience, including troubleshooting and programming.
• Strong mechanical and electrical aptitude, with the ability to understand machine operation and control system interactions.
• Experience in customer-facing roles, including discussing design requirements and providing technical support.
• Proficiency in designing control systems and participating in automation projects.
• Experience with AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, or ePLAN for electrical design and documentation.
• Exposure to Rockwell automation platforms and PLC control concepts.
• Experience with Siemens PLC tools such as TIA Portal, Step 7, Simotion Scout, and related engineering environments.
• Familiarity with HMI platforms including FactoryTalk and WinCC.
• Experience with Structured Text and Function Block Programming languages.
• Experience with automation integration projects involving robots and other advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Interest in working on custom design and integration projects for specialized welding machinery.
• A strong desire to continuously advance technical knowledge in machine controls, PLCs, HMIs, and industrial automation software.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline is preferred.
• Experience with AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, or ePLAN for electrical design and documentation.
• Exposure to Rockwell automation platforms and PLC control concepts.
• Experience with Siemens PLC tools such as TIA Portal, Step 7, Simotion Scout, and related engineering environments.
• Familiarity with HMI platforms including FactoryTalk and WinCC.
• Experience with Structured Text and Function Block Programming languages.
• Experience with automation integration projects involving robots and other advanced manufacturing technologies.
• An interest in working on custom design and integration projects for specialized welding machinery.
• A strong desire to continuously advance technical knowledge in machine controls, PLCs, HMIs, and industrial automation software.