Lead Controls Engineer

Modern Technical Staffing Inc.; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Modern Technical Staffing Inc. is seeking a Lead Controls Engineer to design and develop full control systems for a next‑generation critical infrastructure product. You will lead closed‑loop control, cybersecurity, and HMI development across production‑scale systems.

Responsibilities include defining architectures, developing embedded software, integrating with BACnet/Modbus/MQTT, and mentoring engineers to ensure robust, version‑controlled software from concept to production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Controls, Mechatronics, or Computer Engineering
• 10+ years’ experience developing control systems for industrial, mission‑critical, or HVAC/thermal‑hydraulic products
• Experience working in an R&D or product development environment
• Proven closed‑loop control design for pumps, valves, or thermal‑hydraulic systems
• Experience with secure device communications and embedded cybersecurity
• Background in engineering change management, BOM/drawing release, and configuration control
• Experience with chillers, heat pumps, boilers, or variable‑speed pumping is an asset

Responsibilities

• Design and tune closed‑loop pressure, flow, and temperature control
• Define control architecture, sequences of operation, and alarm/event logic
• Develop production‑grade embedded control software and firmware
• Integrate with building/facility systems using BACnet, Modbus, MQTT
• Implement cybersecurity practices, secure updates, and authentication
• Build intuitive HMIs with role‑based access
• Drive standardization from prototype through production
• Define factory test and controls checkout procedures
• Lead technical reviews and mentor engineers

Job description

The Lead Controls Engineer designs and develops the full control system for a next‑generation critical infrastructure product. This role covers closed‑loop control, safety interlocks, alarms/events, HMI, secure communications, energy optimization, and product cybersecurity.

You will work in a structured R&D product development environment, maturing standardized control architectures from concept through production. Products are manufactured at scale, requiring consistent, version‑controlled software and formal change management. Collaboration spans electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and embedded engineering.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and tune closed‑loop pressure, flow, and temperature control
• Define control architecture, sequences of operation, and alarm/event logic
• Develop production‑grade embedded control software and firmware
• Integrate with building/facility systems using BACnet, Modbus, MQTT
• Implement cybersecurity practices, secure updates, and authentication
• Build intuitive HMIs with role‑based access
• Drive standardization from prototype through production
• Define factory test and controls checkout procedures
• Lead technical reviews and mentor engineers

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Controls, Mechatronics, or Computer Engineering
• 10+ years’ experience developing control systems for industrial, mission‑critical, or HVAC/thermal‑hydraulic products
• Experience working in an R&D or product development environment
• Proven closed‑loop control design for pumps, valves, or thermal‑hydraulic systems
• Experience with secure device communications and embedded cybersecurity
• Background in engineering change management, BOM/drawing release, and configuration control
• Experience with chillers, heat pumps, boilers, or variable‑speed pumping is an asset

Technical Skills

• HVAC sequences of operation (ASHRAE Guideline 36)
• Embedded controller/PLC development (C/C++, IEC 61131‑3)
• HMI design for commissioning and diagnostics
• Cybersecurity standards (IEC 62443)
• Compliance: ASHRAE 90.1, UL/CSA 60730, EMC