Lead Controls Engineer - SME(Subject Matter Expert)

Job Requirements Quest Global delivers world-class end-to-end engineering solutions by leveraging our deep industry knowledge and digital expertise. By bringing together technologies and industries, alongside the contributions of diverse individuals and their areas of expertise, we are able to solve problems better, faster. This multi-dimensional approach enables us to solve the most critical and large-scale challenges across the aerospace & defense, automotive, energy, hi-tech, healthcare, medical devices, rail and semiconductor industries. We are looking for humble geniuses, who believe that engineering has the potential to make the impossible possible; innovators, who are not only inspired by technology and innovation, but also perpetually driven to design, develop, and test as a trusted partner for Fortune 500 customers. As a team of remarkably diverse engineers, we recognize that what we are really engineering is a brighter future for us all. If you want to contribute to meaningful work and be part of an organization that truly believes when you win, we all win, and when you fail, we all learn, then we’re eager to hear from you. The achievers and courageous challenge-crushers we seek, have the following characteristics and skills: What You Will Do Recognized as the organization's primary Controls Engineering SME, providing technical direction, governance, and decision-making authority for complex automation systems while ensuring engineering excellence, operational reliability, and continuous improvement across the enterprise. Technical Leadership & Architecture Serve as the technical authority for controls system architecture, establishing standards, design principles, and best practices across projects and programs.Lead the development and review of control system architectures, ensuring scalability, reliability, maintainability, cybersecurity, and compliance with company and industry standards.Define and govern reusable engineering frameworks, software libraries, templates, and design methodologies to improve consistency and reduce project risk.Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend strategic adoption plans to enhance system performance, lifecycle supportability, and operational efficiency. Design Reviews & Technical Governance Chair and participate in formal design reviews, code reviews, risk assessments, and technical audits for complex controls, automation, and integration projects.Establish engineering governance processes, ensuring adherence to design standards, documentation requirements, cybersecurity policies, and safety regulations.Review and approve critical technical deliverables, including electrical designs, control narratives, PLC/HMI/SCADA software architectures, network topologies, and commissioning plans.Identify technical risks early in the project lifecycle and develop mitigation strategies to ensure successful project execution. SME Consultation & Escalation Support Act as the highest level of technical escalation for complex system issues, startup challenges, production disruptions, and customer-critical events.Lead root cause investigations for significant operational, quality, reliability, or safety incidents and drive implementation of corrective and preventive actions.Provide expert guidance to project teams, operations, maintenance, customers, and leadership on complex controls and automation challenges.Support field commissioning and troubleshooting efforts for high-impact or technically challenging installations when escalated beyond standard engineering support channels. Mentoring & Capability Development Mentor and coach Controls Engineers, System Integrators, and Technicians, fostering technical growth and knowledge transfer across the organization.Lead technical training programs, workshops, and lessons-learned reviews to strengthen organizational engineering capabilities.Guide engineers in system design, software development, troubleshooting methodologies, and engineering best practices.Support technical career development by providing design feedback, peer reviews, and subject matter expertise across multiple projects. Cross-Functional & Strategic Influence Partner with engineering leadership to define long-term automation strategies, technical roadmaps, and engineering standards.Collaborate with manufacturing, operations, quality, maintenance, IT, and cybersecurity teams to ensure alignment of automation solutions with business objectives.Represent the organization as a technical SME during customer meetings, technical reviews, factory acceptance tests (FATs), and industry engagements. Required Qualifications What You Will Bring: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or a related technical discipline.10+ years of experience designing, implementing, commissioning, and supporting industrial automation and control systems.Proven expertise with PLC, HMI, SCADA, motion control, industrial networking, and system integration technologies.Advanced knowledge of platforms such as Rockwell Automation (Studio 5000, FactoryTalk), Siemens (TIA Portal, WinCC), or equivalent controls technologies.Demonstrated experience developing controls architectures, engineering standards, reusable design templates, and best practices across multiple projects or facilities.Strong understanding of industrial communication protocols including EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus TCP/IP, OPC UA, and related networking technologies.Experience leading design reviews, technical risk assessments, code reviews, and engineering governance activities.Proven ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex controls, automation, and integration issues in production, commissioning, or customer environments.Experience leading root-cause analysis investigations and implementing sustainable corrective actions.Strong understanding of electrical design principles, control panel standards, instrumentation, safety systems, and industrial documentation practices.Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers and technicians while providing technical leadership across cross-functional teams.Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to engineering, operations, maintenance, customers, and leadership teams Pay Range: $100,000-130,000/year Compensation decisions are made based on factors including experience, skills, education, and other job-related factors, in accordance with our internal pay structure. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plan. Work Requirements This role is considered an on-site position located in Grand Rapids, MIYou must be able to commute to and from the location with your own transportation arrangements to meet the required working hours. Ability to work while adhering to PPE requirements.Physical ability to navigate around equipment in distribution centers, including bending, crouching, and reaching.Comfortable navigating ladders and multi-story steel stairways.Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds of tools/equipment.Capable of standing and navigating on concrete surfaces for extended periods, including walking long distances.Proficiency in utilizing small hand tools for work performed.Adaptability to work in various temperature conditions, ranging from freezer to high temperatures, and near hot surfaces and moving equipment. Travel Requirements 50% of travel is required Work Experience Preferred Qualifications Experience with material handling systems, automated warehousing, robotics, AGVs/AMRs, cranes, conveyor systems, or high-speed manufacturing automation.Functional Safety expertise, including safety PLCs, machine safeguarding, risk assessments, and applicable standards (ISO 13849, IEC 62061, IEC 61508).Knowledge of industrial cybersecurity standards and best practices, including IEC 62443.Experience supporting Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), startup, commissioning, and operational readiness activities.Professional Engineer (PE) license, TÜV Functional Safety certification, PMP, or other relevant industry certifications.Experience serving as the primary technical escalation point for critical operational or customer-impacting issues.Demonstrated success influencing engineering strategy, technology roadmaps, and continuous improvement initiatives across an organization. SME Leadership Attributes Recognized subject matter expert with the ability to provide technical direction and make sound engineering decisions on complex automation challenges.Capable of balancing technical excellence, project execution, operational reliability, and long-term maintainability.Passionate about mentoring others, driving engineering standards, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation.Trusted advisor to engineering leadership, project teams, operations, maintenance, and customers on controls and automation strategy. Benefits 401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Referral program Vision insurance Short/Long Term Disability