Controls Engineer

Schneider Electric; Buffalo (MO); On-site; USD 86,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Schneider Electric's Motivair by Schneider Electric in Buffalo, NY is seeking a Controls Engineer I to design, program, test, and support PLC-based control systems for industrial and HVAC equipment.

This role collaborates with engineering, production, suppliers, and service teams to create innovative control solutions, troubleshoot issues, and support product lifecycle management. Occasional travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in controls engineering, automation, HVAC, or related fields.
• Experience programming and troubleshooting PLC-based control systems.
• Knowledge of electrical schematics, control panel design, and industrial components.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and program PLC-based control systems for HVAC and industrial equipment.
• Create electrical schematics, BOMs, technical manuals, and control drawings.
• Document system sequences, control logic diagrams, and specifications.
• Provide technical support during pre- and post-sales activities and reviews.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, suppliers, and service teams to resolve issues.
• Investigate, troubleshoot, and implement software/firmware updates.
• Optimize existing control programs to improve reliability and performance.
• Coordinate with suppliers and external engineers to resolve challenges and qualify components.
• Travel occasionally to customer sites or Schneider Electric facilities as needed.

Skills

Controls System Design

PLC Programming & Troubleshooting

Electrical Engineering Fundamentals

Technical Documentation

Root Cause Analysis

Product Lifecycle Support

Customer Technical Support

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Supplier Qualification & Management

Continuous Improvement Mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Carel

Modicon

GitHub

Job description

Controls Engineer I

Location: Buffalo NY Business Unit: Motivairby Schneider Electric Function: Engineering Reports To: Engineering Manager, Sustaining Engineering, Tools & Testing Job Type: Full-Time

What will you do?

The Controls Engineer I is responsible for designing, programming, testing, and supporting electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic control systems used in industrial and HVAC equipment. This role works closely with engineering, production, suppliers, service teams, and customers to develop innovative control solutions, troubleshoot technical issues, and support product lifecycle management.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and program PLC-based control systems to manage functions such as sequencing, temperature, pressure, flow, current, voltage, and timing.
• Create and maintain electrical schematics, control drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), technical manuals, and related engineering documentation.
• Develop and document system sequences of operation, control logic diagrams, and functional specifications.
• Provide technical support during pre-sales and post-sales activities, including customer discussions and control system reviews.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams, assemblers, and electrical wirers to resolve control system design and build issues.
• Investigate, troubleshoot, and implement software and firmware updates to resolve product performance issues.
• Optimize existing control programs and continuously improve system functionality, reliability, and performance.
• Partner with suppliers and external engineering resources to resolve technical challenges, evaluate new technologies, and improve product capabilities.
• Obtain supplier quotations, support component qualification activities, and prepare purchasing requisitions.
• Support quality initiatives, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation.
• Travel occasionally to customer sites, suppliers, or Schneider Electric facilities as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What qualifications will make you successful?

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in controls engineering, automation, industrial equipment, HVAC systems, or related fields.
• Experience programming and troubleshooting PLC-based control systems.
• Knowledge of electrical schematics, control panel design, and industrial control components.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Experience with commercial HVAC, liquid cooling systems, air cooling systems, or data center infrastructure.
• Knowledge of industry communication protocols and control networks.
• Experience with Carel, Modicon, or similar control platforms.
• Familiarity with GitHub or version control systems.
• Experience working with UL, ETL, NEC, IEC, NFPA, and other applicable industry standards.
• Hands-on experience with pumps, motors, piping systems, electro-mechanical assemblies, or industrial equipment.

Skills & Competencies

• Controls System Design
• PLC Programming & Troubleshooting
• Electrical Engineering Fundamentals
• Technical Documentation
• Root Cause Analysis
• Product Lifecycle Support
• Customer Technical Support
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Supplier Qualification & Management
• Continuous Improvement Mindset

Physical Requirements

• Primarily office-based work in a computer-centric environment.
• Ability to remain seated for extended periods.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 30 pounds.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Schneider Electric is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Schneider Electric considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Looking to make an IMPACT with your career? Join Schneider Electric and help us power a sustainable future.

At Schneider, we believe that every employee is a talent who deserves equal opportunities. This means you matter. Every individual needs to feel valued, supported, and treated fairly to do their best work.

Our Total Rewards is our way of saying: “We see you. We value you”. It’s more than just pay and benefits- it’s a meaningful investment in you. It is designed for you to perform, grow, feel safe, and elevate your potential to shine as an impact maker.

For this U.S. based position, the expected pay range is USD 86,400 - USD 129,600 per year. This pay range includes base pay and short-term incentives. The compensation range for this full-time position applies to candidates located within the United States. Our pay ranges are determined by reviewing roles of similar responsibility and level. Within the pay range, individual pay is determined by several factors including performance, knowledge, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Schneider Electric is there when it matters most to you

Our Total Rewards package outlines all the benefits and support you’ll enjoy as part of the Schneider Electric team:

Care for Yourself and Your Family. We ensure you feel secure with benefits that help you and your family thrive: medical (with member reward points), dental, vision, and basic life insurance, Benefit Bucks, flexible work arrangements, paid family leaves, well-being programs, 12 holidays per year, and 15 days of paid time off per year.

Invest and Plan Your Future. We help you plan and invest for the future with competitive pay and programs including base salary, incentives, company share ownership, and 401(k) with match.

Grow Your Skills and Career. We support development through performance discussions, global opportunities, the Schneider Career Hub, and learning platforms like Coursera.

Team Up in the Workplace. We encourage collaboration, recognition, sharing your voice, and an inclusive workplace.

Support Your Community. We make a difference through volunteer leave, programs with the Schneider Electric Foundation, youth education initiatives, and military leave benefits.

Looking to make an IMPACT with your career?

When you are thinking about joining a new team, culture matters. At Schneider Electric, our values and behaviors are the foundation for creating a great culture to support business success. We believe that our IMPACT values – Inclusion, Mastery, Purpose, Action, Curiosity, Teamwork – starts with us.

IMPACT is also your invitation to join Schneider Electric where you can contribute to turning sustainability ambition into actions, no matter what role you play. It is a call to connect your career with the ambition of achieving a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable world.

We are looking for IMPACT Makers; exceptional people who turn sustainability ambitions into actions at the intersection of automation, electrification, and digitization. We celebrate IMPACT Makers and believe everyone has the potential to be one.

Become an IMPACT Maker with Schneider Electric – apply today!

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Schneider Electric is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities in the areas of recruiting, hiring, training, transferring, and promoting all qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, color, gender, disability, national origin, ancestry, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic or conduct.

Schneider Electric aspires to be the most inclusive and caring company in the world, by providing equitable opportunities to everyone, everywhere, and ensuring all employees feel uniquely valued and safe to contribute their best. We mirror the diversity of the communities in which we operate, and ‘inclusion’ is one of our core values. We believe our differences make us stronger as a company and as individuals and we are committed to championing inclusivity in everything we do. At Schneider Electric, we uphold the highest standards of ethics and compliance, and we believe that trust is a foundational value. Our Trust Charter is our Code of Conduct and demonstrates our commitment to ethics, safety, sustainability, quality and cybersecurity, underpinning every aspect of our business and our willingness to behave and respond respectfully and in good faith to all our stakeholders. You can find out more about our Trust Charter here. Schneider Electric is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities in the areas of recruiting, hiring, training, transferring, and promoting all qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, color, gender, disability, national origin, ancestry, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic or conduct.