Controls Engineer

HRU-Tech; Grand Ledge (MI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

HRU-Tech in Grand Ledge, MI is seeking a Controls Engineer II to lead end-to-end automation projects, blending electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic design with PLC/HMI programming.

Requires a BS in Electrical Engineering or Mechatronics, 3–5 years in industrial automation, and hands-on experience with AutoCAD Electrical and Rockwell/Siemens environments; hybrid role with ~25% travel, focused on system design, hardware integration, commissioning, and cross‑functional teamwork.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• 3–5 years in industrial automation or controls engineering.

Responsibilities

• System Design: electrical control packages, schematics, panel layouts, I/O wiring diagrams using AutoCAD Electrical.
• Fluid power design: hydraulic and pneumatic circuits for machine functionality.
• PLC/HMI development: logic for PLCs (Allen-Bradley/Studio 5000 or Siemens/TIA Portal) and user-friendly HMI screens.
• Hardware integration: sensors, VFDs, servo motors, vision systems, safety components.
• Commissioning & Debug: on-site power-up and debugging (≈25% travel).
• Project leadership: manage small to medium projects; milestones on time and budget.
• Cross-functional teamwork with mechanical and manufacturing teams for hardware-software integration.
• Documentation: operator and maintenance manuals for customer handoffs.

Skills

Electrical design

Industrial automation

PLC programming

HMI programming

Functional Safety (ISO 13849)

Industrial networking

Troubleshooting

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

Rockwell Automation software

Siemens TIA Portal

Mitsubishi GX Works

GT Designer

Job description

Controls Engineer II

Location: Grand Ledge, MI (Hybrid / ~25% Travel)

Job Type: Direct Hire

Salary: $90-105K, straight time over 45 hours

Candidate Requirements:

This role is open ONLY to US Citizens as all candidates must be eligible for secret security clearance (clearance requires US Citizenship). Please note, clearance isn’t required to start (only eligibility). Candidates who are Permanent Residents (Green Card Holders), TN visa holders, H1B or F1 (OPT/CPT) candidates are NOT permitted in this role. This role is NOT open to corp2corp (C2C) or corp2hire (C2H). All candidates MUST have previous working experience with AutoCAD Electrical CAD software.

Role Overview

As a Controls Engineer II, you will lead the end-to-end lifecycle of integrated automation systems—from initial concept to final site acceptance. This role is designed for a versatile engineer who thrives on the intersection of hardware and software, blending electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic design with advanced PLC/HMI programming.

Key Responsibilities

• System Design: Develop comprehensive electrical control packages, including schematics, panel layouts, and I/O wiring diagrams using AutoCAD Electrical.
• Fluid Power Design: Design and troubleshoot complex hydraulic and pneumatic circuits to support robust machine functionality.
• PLC/HMI Development: Write and optimize logic for PLCs (primarily Allen-Bradley/Studio 5000 or Siemens/TIA Portal) and design intuitive HMI screens.
• Hardware Integration: Select and integrate sensors, VFDs, servo motors, vision systems, and safety components.
• Commissioning & Debug: Lead the "Power Up" and "Debug" phases of equipment on-site and at customer facilities (approx. 25% annual travel).
• Project Leadership: Manage small to medium-scale projects, ensuring technical milestones are met on time and within budget.
• Team Collaboration: Partner closely with mechanical engineers and the manufacturing team throughout the entire project lifecycle to ensure seamless hardware-software compatibility and build quality.
• Customer & Project Collaboration: Work directly with Project Managers and customers to ensure all technical requirements are met, providing updates and technical expertise to align project delivery with customer expectations.
• Documentation: Author comprehensive Operator and Maintenance manuals to ensure seamless customer handoffs.

Required Qualifications

• Education: B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field. Equivalent professional experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Experience: 3-5 years of professional experience in industrial automation or controls engineering.

Technical Proficiency:

• Expertise in Rockwell Automation software environments.
• Experience in AutoCAD Electrical
• Proficiency in Safety PLC programming and Functional Safety standards (ISO 13849).
• Strong understanding of industrial networking (EtherNet/IP, Modbus, Link-IO).
• Working knowledge of NFPA 70 (NEC) and NFPA 79 standards.
• Problem Solving: High-level ability to diagnose and repair electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and logic issues in high-pressure manufacturing environments.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with Mitsubishi GX Works and GT Designer.
• Familiarity with robotic integration (FANUC, ABB, or KUKA).
• Knowledge of Industry 4.0 implementation (IIoT, Data Acquisition, MQTT).

EOE (including Disability/Veterans)

HRUSkilled