TEMPORARY Controls Engineer

Responsibilities

• To Include But Not Limited To PLC (Programmable logic controllers) and HMI (Human-Machine Interface) design, development, and maintenance in support of lab automation systems
• Design, build, and wire electrical control panels and enclosures in support of lab test systems and automation projects, adhering to applicable electrical safety standards including NFPA 70E, NEC, and UL 508
• ASCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems; maintain and modify
• Configure and troubleshoot industrial communications protocols including, but not limited to, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, and OPC-UA as required by test system architecture
• Maintain version control and change management practices for control system code and configuration files
• Testing, maintaining, and modifying existing systems
• Analyzing data and presenting findings in written reports
• Working collaboratively with design engineers, operation engineers, purchasers and other internal staff
• Providing advice and consultancy support
• Writing test procedures
• Install & setup necessary supporting equipment, components and data loggers for testing. Operate the test assembly and instrumentation, measuring performance of products and record data as directed.
• Assume responsibility for all aspects of work including quality, timeliness and final report results with goal to complete work with little oversight
• Inspect and/or testing of any products or components for defects and compliance with engineering specification and drawings
• Inspect and recalibrate equipment (i.e. gages, precision measuring instruments, etc.) as necessary, to standards which are traceable to NIST. Maintain calibration records and logs per department process and ISO standards
• Operate lab fabrication equipment, i.e. cut-off saw, drill press, belt sander, grinder, and other machine shop equipment, as necessary, to prepare product and materials for product testing. (Clean and maintain, as needed)
• Support continuous improvement developments in the lab in accordance with Lean Initiative
• Maintain an efficient, professional, organized, and clean work area in the lab environment
• Follow all company safety requirements, procedures and participate in testing safety reviews
• Log and estimate all hours using Liquid Planner (LP) and use LP as a primary communication tool
• Willingness to travel as needed

Qualifications

• 2+ years of controls or automation experience
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering preferred
• Proficiency in maintaining and troubleshooting automation equipment
• Familiarity with AI-assisted engineering tools (e.g., AI-based code completion, predictive diagnostics, or AI-enabled test automation)
• Experience with project management
• Solid understanding of computer programming and software development
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Creative thinking skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Able to communicate well with other members of the development team
• Able to keep up with the latest technologies
• Experience with motion control systems (stepper and servo); familiarity with drive configuration, encoder feedback, and motion profiles (gearing, camming)
• Proficient in blueprint reading, shop math, and use of precision instruments
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and engineering drawings
• Working knowledge of process instrumentation (sensors, transmitters, pressure/flow/temperature devices) and ability to read and interpret P&IDs
• Programming
• PLC (ladder, structured text, function block diagram)
• LabVIEW
• Ignition SCADA (perspective, reporting, Jython, SQL)
• Text-based scripting language experience (Python, JavaScript, C++, etc.)