Electrical Controls Engineer

Responsibilities

• Design automation control systems based on customer specifications, engineering principles, and project requirements.
• Program automation and control systems involving PLCs and HMIs, including developing new programs from scratch.
• Specify electrical equipment and materials such as PLCs, automation control components, and instrumentation using calculations and customer requirements.
• Develop and maintain electrical schematics and P&ID drawings to support design, construction, and commissioning activities.
• Troubleshoot hardware and software issues related to PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, and associated control hardware.
• Design, configure, and debug data acquisition and SCADA systems for process monitoring and control.
• Power up, debug, and calibrate control systems for water/wastewater, automotive, and manufacturing applications.
• Identify, maintain, troubleshoot, and modify automation controls including motor starters, variable frequency drives, and standard electrical components.
• Work with process control instrumentation such as flow meters, pressure transmitters, and level transmitters to ensure accurate and reliable process measurements.
• Read, revise, and create PLC logic, HMI/SCADA programs, and VFD parameters to meet system performance and safety requirements.
• Follow established company processes and checklists and contribute to the development and improvement of standardized design platforms.
• Maintain accurate drawings, files, bills of materials, spare parts lists, and equipment specifications throughout the project lifecycle.
• Collaborate with a small engineering team to plan, execute, and support projects from office-based design through field commissioning.
• Travel to local customer sites as needed for installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and support, up to approximately 25% annually.

Requirements

• Electrical engineering degree with 1–2 years of experience, or 2–5 years of equivalent experience in automation programming of PLCs.
• At least 2 years of PLC and HMI/SCADA programming experience.
• Proficiency in programming PLCs such as Rockwell, Siemens, GE, Modicon, Emerson Control Wave, or similar platforms.
• Proficiency in programming HMI/SCADA systems such as FactoryTalk, Maple, VTSCADA, Wonderware, Ignition, or similar tools.
• Demonstrated ability to program control systems from scratch rather than only modifying existing code.
• Industrial electrical hands-on experience and troubleshooting with 480 VAC three-phase, 120 VAC, 24 VDC systems, and variable frequency drives (VFDs).
• Experience identifying, maintaining, troubleshooting, and modifying automation controls including motor starters, VFDs, and standard electrical components.
• Experience with process control instrumentation, including flow meters, pressure transmitters, and level transmitters.
• Strong troubleshooting skills with a logical and systematic approach to diagnosing and resolving issues.
• Working knowledge of relevant industry standards and regulations such as NEC, IEEE, NFPA, and OSHA.
• High attention to detail to maintain accurate engineering documentation, bills of materials, and equipment specifications.
• Able to read, revise, and create PLC logic, HMI/SCADA programs, and VFD parameters.
• Able to work effectively with internal teams and external customers.
• Able to manage multiple projects and maintain thorough documentation.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• About 3–5 years of overall controls or automation experience is ideal.
• Experience as a systems integrator, supporting projects from design through commissioning.
• Experience in controls and automation beyond a single manufacturing environment, such as water/wastewater or other process industries.
• Comfort working in a small, rapidly growing team environment.
• Strong communication skills to work effectively with internal teams and external customers.
• Organizational skills to manage multiple projects and maintain thorough documentation.