Senior Controls Engineer

About the role

We’re seeking a full-time controls engineer to join our expanding team and contribute to the design, programming, and management of automation projects in the pharmaceutical and food & beverage industries. LAPORTE is a consulting engineering firm with 25 years of experience, 25 offices across North America and Europe, and over 480 employees. We offer a competitive salary, compensatory PTO, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive work environment that emphasizes professional growth. We believe in a flexible working environment that values work-life balance while encouraging efficiency and creativity on a daily basis.

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. Construction packages typically include equipment arrangement drawings, schematics, wiring diagrams, cable schedules, control panel drawings, etc.
• Mentor and supervise project team members, enhancing team 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.
• Adhere to and ensure compliance with relevant codes (UL508A, NEC) and standards.
• Engage in diverse projects, enhancing your engineering and project management skills.

Travel

Travel expectations are dependent on specific project requirements but typically require 1–3 days for an initial site visit and then a return trip to lead commissioning efforts which may take 1–4 weeks. Overall travel is anticipated to be 20–40%.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or electrical engineering technology.
• 6+ years of experience in control systems, manufacturing, or consulting-design environments including experience commissioning systems, preferably as a lead.
• Proficiency in automation project tasks including 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/experience 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 of systems.
• Experience surveying and planning control systems projects without support of a manager.
• Hands-on experience with Rockwell Automation software—Studio 5000 / RSLogix 5000 for PLC programming and FactoryTalk View ME / SE for HMI and SCADA development.