Senior Controls Engineer (Joliet)

Technical Leadership & Engineering Authority:

-Serve as the senior technical authority for the design and implementation of industrial automation and control systems.

-Establish control system architectures, engineering standards, and technical approaches for assigned projects.

-Apply advanced engineering judgment to evaluate design alternatives, manage technical risk, and resolve complex system constraints.

-Review, approve, and validate engineering deliverables produced by internal teams and external partners.

Control System Design:

-Lead the design of electrical control systems in compliance with applicable codes and standards (e.g., NFPA 70, UL 508A).

-Develop and approve control schematics, wiring designs, panel layouts, and bills of materials.

-Provide engineering oversight of panel manufacturing activities to ensure designs are implemented as intended.

Automation Software Architecture & Development:

Architect and develop PLC software solutions using platforms such as Allen-Bradley and Siemens.

-Define structured programming standards, reusable libraries, and system interfaces to support scalability and long-term maintainability.

-Lead the configuration and validation of HMI/SCADA systems to support safe and efficient operation.

Drives, Motion, and Control Theory Application:

-Engineer advanced motion control and variable frequency drive (VFD) solutions aligned with system performance requirements.

-Apply control theory principles to tune, optimize, and validate system behavior.

-Specify and approve drive, motion, and control components based on application demands and lifecycle considerations.

System Integration, Commissioning & Validation :

-Lead system integration activities, coordinating electrical, mechanical, and process engineering disciplines.

-Direct on-site commissioning activities with a focus on engineering verification, performance validation, and technical issue resolution, rather than routine installation or production labor.

-Diagnose complex system issues and implement corrective engineering solutions.

-Ensure technical documentation and knowledge transfer meet project and customer requirements.

Strategic, Commercial & Project Contribution:

-Act as a senior technical stakeholder in project planning, execution strategy, and risk assessment.

-Provide engineering input into project pricing, scope definition, and margin management decisions.

-Identify opportunities for standardization, modularization, and scalable solution development.

-Monitor technical progress against project objectives and proactively communicate risks, assumptions, and required scope adjustments.

Safety & Professional Practice:

-Ensure engineering designs and field activities comply with applicable safety standards and internal policies.

-Lead or contribute to Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) and Pre-Task Planning from an engineering risk perspective.

-Maintain required professional training and certifications relevant to industrial automation environments.

Qualifications:

-Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering; Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology or related field

-8+ years of experience working within a systems integrator, OEM Machine builder, custom automation integrator, industrial controls, industrial equipment, automation, drive systems, etc.. based setting

-Ability to manage integration/automation projects from concept through to completion

-Experience managing projects including programming, electrical design, customer communication and project execution

-Ability to troubleshoot and program PLC’s (50% Allen-Bradley ControlLogix/Studio 5000, 50% Siemens/TIA Portal)

-Ability to troubleshoot and develop HMI/SCADA applications (Allen Bradley and Siemens)

-Experience designing electrical control systems including electrical schematics, control panels, wiring diagrams, and BOMs (AutoCAD Electrical)