Director of Controls Engineering

About the role

Seeking a Director of Controls Engineering to oversee automation and controls strategy across multiple business units and engineering teams. This individual will be responsible for driving technical excellence, establishing engineering standards, advancing automation technologies, and developing a high-performing controls organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall vision, structure, and direction of the controls engineering function across North American operations.
• Establish and maintain engineering standards, processes, and governance related to automation and machine controls.
• Drive consistency in controls architecture, including PLCs, HMIs, motion systems, safety controls, software platforms, and industrial networking.
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies that improve product performance, reliability, and operational efficiency.
• Serve as the organization's senior technical resource for automation and controls-related initiatives.
• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, operations, project management, field service, and commercial teams to support business objectives.
• Provide guidance on complex technical challenges, root cause investigations, and corrective action plans.
• Build and mentor high-performing engineering teams through talent development, coaching, succession planning, and workforce strategy.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on automation, digital transformation, connectivity, and data-driven decision making.
• Support multi-site engineering activities and travel periodically throughout North America.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, machine design, or capital equipment environments.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing engineering teams or technical organizations.
• Demonstrated success creating and deploying controls standards for complex industrial systems.
• Strong expertise in: PLC programming and architecture, Human Machine Interfaces (HMI), Motion and servo control systems, Industrial networking and communications, Machine safety systems, Variable frequency drives (VFDs).
• Experience with major automation platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or comparable technologies.
• Experience supporting multiple facilities, product lines, or geographically dispersed engineering teams.

Pay

$130,000 - $150,000

Benefits

• Comprehensive health and insurance benefits
• Paid Vacation time
• 401k with company match available