Senior Controls Engineer

LAPORTE is a consulting engineering firm with 25 years of experience, operating 25 offices across North America and Europe and employing over 480 engineers. The company seeks a full‑time Controls Engineer to design, program, and manage automation projects in the pharmaceutical and food & beverage industries.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the design of automation projects, developing specifications for control panels, networks, and software (primarily Allen‑Bradley PLC/PACs and FactoryTalk View ME/SE HMI and SCADA).
• Translate process or packaging applications into detailed construction packages for control panel designs and electrical installation scopes, including equipment arrangement drawings, schematics, wiring diagrams, cable schedules, and control panel drawings.
• Mentor and supervise project team members, enhancing collaboration and project execution.
• Provide comprehensive lifecycle support for projects, including system design, troubleshooting, testing, and commissioning.
• Perform site surveys and offer hands‑on support during installation, focusing on control system deployment.
• Ensure compliance with relevant codes and standards (UL508A, NEC).
• Engage in diverse projects to broaden engineering and project‑management skills.
• Travel requirements typically include 1‑3 days for an initial site visit and subsequent trips for commissioning (1‑4 weeks), with overall travel anticipated at 20‑40%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical, mechanical, electrical engineering, or electrical engineering technology.
• 6+ years of experience in control systems, manufacturing, or consulting‑design environments, including commissioning systems, preferably as a lead.
• Proficiency in automation project tasks such as design, client coordination, and bid package preparation.
• Skilled in control panel and network design, instrument selection, and control system programming.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD for control panel design and electrical construction packages.
• Familiarity with electrical engineering construction packages – single‑line diagrams, panel schedules, power plans, etc.
• Hands‑on experience surveying existing control installations and preparing as‑built conditions.
• Experience surveying and planning control systems projects without manager support.
• Hands‑on experience with Rockwell Automation software—Studio 5000 / RSLogix 5000 for PLC programming and FactoryTalk View ME / SE for HMI and SCADA development.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Compensatory paid time off.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Supportive work environment that emphasizes professional growth.
• Flexible working environment that values work‑life balance, efficiency, and creativity.