Controls Engineer III

Controls Engineer IIILocation: Washington, DC (DMV Region)Schedule: Monday-Friday (Hybrid/Remote)Travel: 50-75%Pay: $150,000 - $165,000Duration: Direct HireDMV Location & Travel Requirements: This is a remote-based position for candidates located in the DMV region. The role requires travel to the company's Hanover, MD facility and customer sites. Candidates should expect approximately 60–75% travel during the first 6–9 months, decreasing to approximately 30–50% thereafter.Position OverviewOur client, a growing engineering and manufacturing organization supporting complex electrical and industrial systems, is seeking a Controls Engineer III to provide advanced hands-on controls engineering expertise for custom-engineered systems and customer applications. This is a senior-level individual contributor position requiring significant hands-on PLC and HMI programming experience. The Controls Engineer III will independently own controls activities across the project lifecycle while remaining directly involved in programming, system integration, testing, commissioning, and complex troubleshooting. Candidates should have strong technical depth and remain actively involved at the programming level. This position is not focused on people management or traditional project management.Key ResponsibilitiesLead the technical development and implementation of PLC, HMI, and industrial controls solutions.Independently develop complex PLC programs from the ground up for custom-engineered applications.Own controls activities throughout the project lifecycle, including requirements analysis, controls architecture, programming, integration, FAT, commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting.Translate complex customer requirements and specifications into effective controls solutions.Integrate control systems with customer infrastructure, third-party equipment, and multiple vendor platforms.Configure and troubleshoot industrial networks and communication protocols.Diagnose and resolve complex controls, integration, and equipment issues during manufacturing and field implementation.Work closely with electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, and field service teams to ensure successful system delivery.Serve as a senior technical resource during customer discussions, testing, commissioning, and field support.Provide technical guidance and knowledge sharing while remaining a hands-on engineering contributor.Develop and improve programming standards, technical documentation, procedures, and controls engineering practices.Support continuous improvement, new product development, and adoption of emerging controls technologies.Travel to company and customer locations as needed for commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, and technical support.Qualifications5+ years of hands-on controls engineering, industrial automation, or related programming experience.Advanced hands-on PLC programming experience with demonstrated ability to develop programs from scratch.Strong HMI programming, configuration, and troubleshooting experience.Demonstrated experience independently delivering controls projects from requirements through commissioning.Strong knowledge of industrial communication protocols and Ethernet-based networks.Experience integrating controls across multiple equipment and vendor platforms.Strong electrical troubleshooting skills and ability to interpret electrical schematics and technical specifications.Experience performing FAT, startup, commissioning, and field troubleshooting.Strong customer-facing technical communication and problem-solving abilities.Ability to work independently with limited technical oversight.Willingness and ability to accommodate significant travel during the initial ramp-up period.Preferred QualificationsBachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation, or a related technical discipline; equivalent technical training and extensive relevant experience may be considered.Experience across multiple PLC, HMI, and/or SCADA platforms.Industrial system integration experience.Experience with engineered-to-order or custom electrical equipment.Controls experience involving switchgear, switchboards, panelboards, transformers, or related power distribution equipment.Background within power generation/distribution, utilities, renewable energy, battery energy storage, data centers, industrial automation, or mission-critical infrastructure.Experience with protective relays, power-system automation, or related configuration platforms.Experience establishing controls standards, developing technical documentation, or supporting the development of less-experienced engineers.