Senior Controls Engineer

Waterstone Human Capital; Toronto; On-site; CAD 104,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

Waterstone Human Capital is recruiting for a Senior Controls Engineer for a heavy manufacturing client. You will write PLC programs from scratch for one-of-a-kind machines, lead controls on projects from kickoff to commissioning, and collaborate with mechanical and electrical teams.

This role involves configuring motion control systems, testing, and on-site commissioning, with travel for 1–2 week trips to the U.S. or Mexico as needed.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree or technical diploma required.
• Strong hands-on PLC programming experience on custom equipment.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley platforms and HMI programming preferred.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and use AutoCAD Electrical.

Responsibilities

• Program and debug PLC logic for custom equipment builds.
• Write structured, reusable code from scratch for one-of-a-kind machines.
• Configure motion control systems including servo drives and VFDs.
• Test, commission, and troubleshoot on-site during installation.
• Travel for commissioning and customer training (1–2 week trips).
• Maintain testing records and design documentation.
• Collaborate across mechanical, testing, and electrical teams.

Skills

PLC programming

Motion control

Troubleshooting

Mentoring

Education

Engineering degree or technical diploma

Tools

RSLogix 5000/500

HMI programming

AutoCAD Electrical

Oscilloscope

Multimeter

Job description

Work Type: Full Time, On Site

Compensation: $115K+ DOE

Why This Role

If you'd rather write a PLC program from a blank project than patch someone else's code, this is your seat. Every machine here is one of a kind, so you'll own the controls from first rung to final commissioning. You'll join a growing electrical engineering team at a company that is investing seriously in controls technology.

The Company

Our client is a vertically integrated designer and manufacturer of large scale, custom industrial equipment for the heavy manufacturing industry, serving customers across North America. With roughly 185 to 200 employees and $60M+ in annual revenue, they handle every stage in house, including mechanical and electrical engineering, PLC programming, machining, welding, and assembly. They are also building a proprietary controls and automation software platform as part of a broader move toward becoming a technology driven manufacturer. They are investing heavily in their electrical engineering team to keep pace with strong, sustained growth.

The Opportunity

Every project is custom; there is no off the shelf system to plug in and go. As Senior Controls Engineer, you'll write PLC programs from scratch for large, one of a kind machines, then see them through testing and on site commissioning. It's a chance to be the go to controls expert on projects that genuinely challenge you, inside a company that is actively investing in this team.

What You'll Do

• Program and debug PLC logic (ladder logic and structured text) on Allen-Bradley platforms for custom equipment builds
• Write structured, well documented, reusable code, largely from scratch given the custom nature of each project
• Configure and start up motion control systems, including servo drives and VFD motors
• Test and commission machines prior to shipment, and troubleshoot electrical and mechanical issues during testing and installation
• Travel for on site commissioning and customer training, typically 1 to 2 week trips within the U.S. or Mexico
• Maintain accurate testing records, specifications, and design documentation
• Act as a liaison between mechanical engineering, testing, and the electrical design team to resolve design and manufacturing issues
• Share knowledge and provide informal mentorship to less experienced engineers

What You'll Bring

• Strong, hands on PLC programming experience; Allen-Bradley platforms (RSLogix 5000/500) and HMI programming preferred
• Proven ability to write controls code from scratch for custom equipment, not just modify or maintain existing programs
• Experience with motion control systems: servo drives, VFD motors, and device networking
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics; comfortable using AutoCAD Electrical to update drawings
• Confident troubleshooting hands on in a shop environment (multimeter, oscilloscope)
• Engineering degree, technical diploma, or equivalent hands on experience in electrical and controls