Controls Hardware Design Engineer

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time.

• Lead the design and development of electrical control systems for custom automation machinery and integrated systems

• Develop system architectures and detailed electrical schematics

• Develop detailed electrical Bills of Materials (BOMs) and specify components including PLCs, safety devices, power distribution, motion controllers, and industrial networking hardware

• Ensure all designs comply with company standards and applicable industry codes and regulations (NEC, NFPA, ANSI, RIA, UL, etc.).

• Serve as technical lead during project initialization, ensuring department standards and best practices are met

• Work closely with internal assembly technicians and panel shop personnel during build and wiring phases to ensure design accuracy and resolve technical issues.

• Support system testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and startup activities both in-house and at customer sites.

• Participate in design reviews, risk assessments, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality and efficiency

• Mentor and provide technical guidance to other Control Design Engineers

• Ensure compliance with applicable industry standards, safety regulations, and customer specifications

• Maintain and govern electrical libraries, manufacture parts databases, symbols, macros, and templates

• Establish and enforce drawing standards, naming conventions, and revision control practices

• Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Technology, Automation Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

• 5+ years of experience in control systems activities, including familiarity with hardware design, PLC, HMI, vision systems, and robot programs.

• Proven ability to lead technical aspects of complex automation projects

• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills

• Understanding of common control and computer architecture, networking, and interfacing with higher-level computer systems.

• Experience selecting, and integrating industrial control devices, sensors, PLCs, and HMIs; experience with Siemens or Allen Bradley PLCs required.

• Extensive experience with SOLIDWORKS Electrical (Schematic and/or 3D)

• Strong knowledge of electrical design standards (NFPA, UL, NEC)

Additional Competencies

• Familiarity with relevant standards and regulations (e.g., UL508A, NFPA 79, ISO, CE) and how they apply to machine design and programming.
• Clear verbal and written communication with cross-functional teams, vendors, and customers, including the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team including mechanical engineers, electricians, and project managers.
• Experience with safety-rated control systems and risk assessments
• Working knowledge of current programmable controllers and related technologies.

The Control Systems Design Engineer is responsible for leading the design, development, and implementation of complex control systems for custom automation equipment. This role provides technical leadership across projects, ensures engineering standards are upheld, mentors’ junior engineers, and collaborates cross-functionally to deliver high-performance, reliable, and innovative automation solutions that meet customer requirements and company objectives.