Controls Engineer

vwr; Carpinteria (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Avantor, based in Carpinteria, CA, is seeking a Controls Engineer to design, build, install, and support control system equipment for NuSil needs. The role requires 1–3 years of experience, PLC/HMI programming, and knowledge of NFPA/NEC standards. Travel 5–10% to Bakersfield, CA and Irving, TX may be required.

This is a full-time onsite position. You will design electrical schematics, enclosure layouts, and PLC/HMI code, collaborate with R&D and Maintenance teams, and prepare technical documents

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering required.
• 1–3 years of relevant experience.
• PLC and HMI programming experience.
• Knowledge of NFPA 70/70E, NEC, etc.

Responsibilities

• Design electrical schematics, enclosure layouts, conduit runs, and PLC/HMI code.
• Design equipment for production needs, including electrical and controls concepts.
• Coordinate with third-party vendors for equipment builds and installations.
• Plan projects balancing timelines and downtime to minimize manufacturing disruption.
• Create/modify technical drawings and CAD models to document equipment.

Skills

PLC and HMI programming

Electrical diagrams/schematics

Electrical troubleshooting

Safety awareness

Project management basics

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

LabVIEW

DraftSight/SolidWorks CAD

CAD

Multimeters/Oscilloscopes

Job description

The Opportunity:

Avantor is looking for a Controls Engineer to work closely with R&D, Manufacturing, Reliability & Maintenance Engineering, and Process Engineering to design, build, install, and support control system equipment and upgrades to support NuSil's needs.

The Controls Engineer will have a reasonably strong understanding of general aspects of the job functions noted below. They will typically work under the supervision of a Group Leader, or occasionally other senior personnel depending on the task at hand.

This is a full-time onsite position based out of our Carpinteria, CA location.

Must have ability to travel as needed to other locations (primarily Bakersfield, CA and Irving, TX), possibly 5-10%.

How you will thrive and create an impact :

• Design electrical schematics, physical electrical enclosure layouts, conduit runs, and PLC/HMI code for new or upgraded equipment, following applicable NFPA, NEC, and other standards.
• Designs equipment for regular use in support of NuSil's production needs. This can include electrical, instrumentation, and controls system design, as well as possibly elements of mechanical design.
• Coordinates and works with third-party vendors and contractors to facilitate and direct equipment builds and installations.
• Plan projects that will operate in the short term, medium term and long term, balancing timelines and equipment downtime to minimize disruption to Manufacturing schedule.
• Write technical documents to communicate preventative maintenance, operating instructions, control narratives, capital project proposals, etc.
• Create or modify technical drawings/models with CAD software in order to properly document equipment and systems.
• Assists other engineers to create, use, and determine feasibility of engineering designs to fabricate necessary parts for NuSil equipment.
• Source and order necessary parts, raw materials, and tools required for projects.
• Assist with troubleshooting equipment when necessary, working closely with Reliability & Maintenance staff.
• Assist other personnel with troubleshooting electrical and control system problems on installed equipment.

What we're looking for:

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related discipline required (Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Computer Science preferred); advanced degrees desirable.

Experience:

• 1 to 3 years of relevant experience.
• PLC and HMI Programming experience.
• Knowledge of relevant NFPA 70/70E standards, NEC, etc.
• Understanding of electrical diagrams/schematics.
• Electrical troubleshooting using multimeters, oscilloscopes, etc.
• Knowledge of 1- and 3-phase AC circuit design & principles, DC circuit design & principles, instrument selection, etc.

Certification/s:

• PE license, PMP certificate, or other relevant certifications desirable.

Additional Qualifications:

• Proficiency of LabView and other data acquisition and process programs desirable.
• Strong focus on safety, communication of technical details and project progress, attention to detail, 2D & 3D CAD (DraftSight/Solidworks).
• Technical document reading and writing ability, time and budget management skills (as part of a larger set of project management skills).
• Data-driven decision making skills, experience with metrology and measurement, engineering calculations, communication of technical details and project progress.
• Experienced with Microsoft Office software.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent assignments.
• Ability to work in a moderately noisy environment that may not always be climate-controlled.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs.
• Ability to work effectively in both a field/hands-on setting and at a desk when needed.

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.

Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Why Avantor?

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science.

The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor.

We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world.

Pay Transparency:

The expec