Controls Engineer III

Position Description

TREW is a provider of Automated Equipment, Control Systems and Warehouse Execution Software. As a Controls Engineer III, you will design and implement electrical controls systems for automated material handling equipment. This is project/application-based work that includes development of specifications, review electrical drawings, and creation of PLC/PAC logic. Project design and testing will take place in the office. Completed work is installed and tested at the clients’ facility. You must be self‑motivated, dedicated and possess a strong sense of initiative. You must have the ability to easily adapt to changing situations and have a strong technical background in electrical and controls systems. Candidates must have a strong task‑based skillset with a focus on organization, time‑management, and prioritization. Candidates will have excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal and customer service skills plus the ability to collaborate effectively with a wide range of people at all levels of expertise. As a Controls Engineer III, you will be involved in projects from the concept phase through design, programming, testing and onsite support. You will serve as the primary technical contact for a project. You will have direct interaction with clients throughout each project. You will work closely with Mechanical Engineering, Controls Engineering and Project Management. On large projects, you will work within a design team and for smaller projects you will work on your own with supervision from team leaders, project engineers, project managers and your supervisor.

Duties / Responsibilities

• Meeting with both client and internal project teams to define applications and produce description of operation documents
• Leads training/mentoring of co‑op personnel and junior engineers on design process, system commissioning, and department method and delegates as appropriate
• Leads small to medium sized projects by defining and issuing work to assigned team members. Works independently and with minimal supervision
• Leads large sized projects to execute design per project requirements with minimal supervision
• Defines and maintains a project schedule and ensures the project team meets milestones
• Defines and maintains the project forecast for resources, materials, and expenses
• Meets or exceeds the financial budget for resources, materials, and expenses
• Directs and assigns teammates as well as assigns priorities to meet the project needs
• Generates project specific documentation using standard company formats
• Reviews electrical design and communication architecture diagrams, providing feedback to electrical engineers
• Designs interfaces to devices such as network I/O, variable speed drives, camera/laser scanner ID systems and scales
• Customizing standard products to meet the requirements of each project
• Configures interfaces to WCS or WES software systems
• Uses automation programming software to create PLC programs for automating machinery
• Configuring standard PLC programs for real‑time control of automated equipment and collection of diagnostic and production data
• Generates new PLC programs, methods and standards
• Develop application programs to control automated equipment based upon specific electrical and mechanical system design as well as operational requirements
• Creating application programs for Human Machine Interface (HMI) screen design
• Conducting in‑house preliminary testing and onsite testing of the system as installed at the customer’s facility
• Interact with mechanical and electrical engineering during project design reviews
• Work closely with electrical, mechanical and software engineers to integrate project solutions
• Participating and leading design reviews with project teams
• Performs on‑site technical checkout, often working with installation teams
• Performs on‑site system commissioning at client sites to validate controls software
• Provides customer training and support during project turnover to the end user
• Provides continuing support for finished projects
• Ensures all project checklists and ‘as‑built’ documentation is complete and archived at project completion
• Assists engineering leadership in completion of work‑flow process and updates work‑flow instructions
• Reports project status to the project managers and department supervisor/manager
• Directs assigned team in the field and assigns priorities consistent with project requirements
• Identifies methods and tools that improved department efficiency

Required Skills / Abilities

• Ability to multi‑task and maintain deadlines while ensuring quality in a collaborative, team‑oriented environment
• Self‑motivated, with the ability to operate independently and with minimal supervision
• Must have good organizational and leadership skills
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient with MS Office Software including Word, Excel & Outlook
• Proficient with personal computers and experience using Microsoft Windows operating systems
• Knowledge of AutoCAD and AutoCAD Electrical
• Advanced knowledge of RSLogix/Studio 5000
• Knowledge of 480vac 3‑phase power
• Knowledge of 120vac and/or 24VDC controls circuits
• Advanced knowledge of Allen Bradley PLC/PAC Controllers or similar automation controllers
• Advanced knowledge of ladder logic, structured text, function block or other high‑level programming languages
• Knowledge of safety PLCs and safety systems or similar a plus
• Advanced knowledge with industrial control systems including PLC and HMI systems
• Proficient with industrial communication networks such as Ethernet/IP & AS‑Interface
• Ability to read and understand system layouts, schematics and other controls system drawings
• Ability to perform electrical troubleshooting using various hand tools and meters

Education & Experience

Bachelors of Science Degree (or pursuing degree) from an accredited college or university in Electrical Engineering (BSEE), Electrical Engineering Technology (BSEET), Computer Science (BSCS), Computer Engineering (BSCE), Computer Engineering Technology (BSCET) or equivalent experience. Minimum of 5‑7 years of experience designing industrial controls systems. Experience with material handling equipment controls, industry experience preferred but not required.

Work Environment

• Ability to work effectively in a warehouse and/or construction environment for system testing
• Climbing ladders and moving around on platforms to maneuver in and around equipment
• Flexibility to travel, often via air with the ability to travel 30‑40%, on a calendar year basis to job sites both domestically and abroad. Travel may include weekends and/or holidays.
• Ability to work non‑traditional hours that may on occasion include nights, weekends and/or holidays

Physical Requirements

• Capable of working in a construction site environment (no air conditioning, dusty, loud etc.) and following all site safety rules such as wearing personal protective equipment (hard hats, safety shoes, hearing protection, etc.)
• Ability to frequently move about the work site to access equipment, etc. and remain standing stationary for extended periods of time

Trew EEO Statement

Trew and its companies are an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran status.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.