Sr. Controls Designer

About the role

Responsible for design and drafting of electrical equipment, wiring, control equipment, and data acquisition systems used in wind tunnel and hypersonic ground test projects. This is a diverse role that includes working closely with engineering to release predominantly custom one‑off equipment and components for new tunnel facilities as well as major capability upgrades to existing facilities.

Responsibilities

• Design (35%) – Partner with engineers to design electrical, controls, and facility‑integrated systems. Organize CAD drawings (junction box and other larger assemblies, panel layouts, schematics, cable assemblies, etc.) and bills of material in accordance with the company configuration management plan and established procedures.
• Hardware Selection (15%) – Research and select/specify hardware based on design requirements, coordinating with vendors and suppliers on component specifications, lead times, and sourcing.
• Release (15%) – Clearly communicate and manage the release of bills of material and drawings outside of engineering. Includes communication of changes due to drawing and bill of materials revisions to downstream departments and customers.
• Support (15%) – Interface with procurement, production, and installation teams to resolve issues and concerns discovered during equipment assembly, testing, and commissioning.
• Budget & Schedule (5%) – Perform design duties on schedule and within budget, adhering to quality standards, industry codes, and customer requirements. Provides accurate labor and schedule estimates across assigned scope, coordinating with the Engineering Lead and Project Manager.
• Field Work (10%) – Perform remote site field installation, checkout, testing, and customer service, including updating drawings from field redline markups to produce as‑built documentation.
• Leadership (5%) – Provide guidance and mentorship for newer designers and interns. Encourage an open‑door policy and proactive assistance to project team members and the department.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree from an accredited institution (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• 8+ years of practical work experience in drafting of wiring, electronics, data acquisition systems, or a similar role.
• US Citizenship required due to security requirements.

Skills

• Experience with design and implementation of automation or data acquisition systems in an industrial setting.
• Experience with one‑line power diagrams.
• Experience with P&ID drawings (Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams).
• Strong electro‑mechanical systems knowledge with PLC control integration (preferred).
• Proficiency in AutoCAD Electrical or similar ECAD software (e.g., EPLAN Electric P8); 2D wiring diagram experience (preferred).
• Proficiency with 3D CAD modeling review (preferred).
• Familiarity with NEC (NFPA 70), NFPA 70E arc‑flash safety requirements, and UL 508A control panel standards.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (typically less than 15%).
• Self‑starter able to balance priorities across multiple projects.
• Effective individual contributor and collaborative team member in multi‑disciplinary environments.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and positive attitude.