Controls Engineer

head\\-huntress.com; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan)

Medical/Dental/Vision benefits

Paid Time Off & Holidays

Job summary

Wunderlich-Malec Engineering (WM) is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer for full-time, on-site work in Orlando, FL. The role focuses on design, development, and integration of electrical/control systems for large-scale projects in manufacturing and entertainment sectors.

The candidate will lead system design from scratch, program PLCs, and coordinate with vendors and engineers through startup and commissioning, ensuring safety and code compliance.

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years of Controls / Automation Engineering experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or closely related field
• Experience with major industrial automation platforms and ethernet-based I/O

Responsibilities

• Design control systems from scratch for complex automation projects
• Create electrical and control system design documents and schematics
• Program DCS/PLC logic to meet process requirements
• Lead on-site startup and commissioning activities
• Interface with cross-functional project teams and vendors
• Ensure safety and compliance with industry standards

Skills

PLC programming

Rockwell/Allen-Bradley

Siemens

Hardware I/O

Troubleshooting

Startup/Commissioning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Ethernet-based I/O

Job description

Orlando, United States | Posted on 06/12/2026

• We have a Controls Engineer position open in Orlando, FL.
• This position is responsible for electrical/controls engineering on large scale projects.
• Project requirements involve control system design from scratch (hardware/software/network), electrical panel design and power calculations, risk assessment, component selection and configuration, control system programming, and control system installation/commissioning.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Must be organized, technically competent, have effective oral and written communications, experienced in working in a multi-disciplined environment and interfacing with engineers, designers, and drafters
• Responsible for system design from blank sheet of paper to create concept of electrical/control/system components based on project requirements
  • Experience doing design via drafting software (AutoCAD preferred)
• Provide input, and system modification as needed, for system integration with other project disciplines
  • Able to interface with facility design to optimize panel location minimizing voltage drop and designing a more efficient system hardware layout
• Manage vendor scope to verify safety, functionality, and all contract requirements are satisfied
• Ensures design complies with any local or government agency design/implementation codes in addition to client codes/standards
• Knowledge of analyzing system design for Hazard analysis development and mitigation
• Design and analysis for safety critical parts within a control system
• Designing redundant mitigations in system to increase safety and reliability
• Designing systems with complex motion and integration from automated systems
• Develops documents of system configuration and design. Documents include Description of operation, Detailed control system design description, panel assembly drawings and schematics, termination drawings, network layout, system implementation/acceptance test plans, system routine maintenance/job plans
• Able to perform the following system design calculations/analysis: Short circuit protection, harmonics, noise reduction / cancellation, power consumption, load flow, short circuit protection, protective relay / circuit design, ground fault monitoring, safety system implementation (SIL/PL rating knowledge is preferred)
• Designs, develops, and implements DCS/PLC control system (logic software) to meet process requirements. As well as the ability to understand and implement client design standards for software system
• Understanding of control system components and instrumentation to properly design software interface/control to achieve system functionality
• Develops documents detailing control/software configuration and design. Documents include: Theory/Description of operation, Detailed control system design description, Software design plan, Detailed software implementation/description, system implementation/acceptance test plans
• Knowledge of design, troubleshooting, and code implementation for the following programming languages: Ladder logic (required), C++ (preferred), visual basic (preferred), and structured text (required)
• Ability to perform processor loading calculations, scan time analysis, input/output response timing analysis, control system network delays analysis, and program task/code block priorities/timing management/interface
• Can design code that is efficient (not processor resource heavy) while maintaining a minimalist implementation to help facility future modifications and understanding by client post turnover. This includes providing any documentation and/or tools that will assist with program understanding and troubleshooting
• Ability to diagnose control system issues during troubleshooting to assist in determining root cause (trending, system analysis, test logic, etc.)
• Ability to minimize secondary faults from occurring within logic by programming “smart” diagnostics that can determine root cause and minimize further effects caused by initial fault
• Will assist with initial start-up and debug integrated systems and the development of system documentation
• Individual will be working on automation and control system integration projects for clients in industries such as entertainment and manufacturing
• Will act as technical lead on projects and may guide lower level engineers, technicians, and contractors
• Knowledge of ride system design for attractions involving guests is preferred
• Capable of working “off” shifts as needed during installation/commissioning to support project

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be organized, technically competent, have effective oral and written communications, experienced in working in a multi-disciplined environment and interfacing with engineers, designers, and drafters
• Education – bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. (Bachelor’s degrees in other disciplines may be acceptable if work experience is directly related to electrical engineering. Disciplines outside of the electrical/controls area will not be considered)
• Experience – 5+ years of experience covering most responsibilities listed above. Preferred experience in ASTM standards, attractions industry, safety engineering, instrumentation, components, and logic programming. Experience with AutoCAD is also desired
• Key Competencies – Knowledge of contract documents and specifications. Ability to collect field data and accurately record findings. Ability to perform system design functions. Planning, Customer Focused, Timely Decision Making, Informing, Organizing, Priority Setting, Problem Solving. Experience working with hardware/software from one of the major industrial manufacturers (i.e. Allen-Bradly, Siemens, etc.). Experience with ethernet based distributed remote I/O systems
• Skills – All employees are required to be proficient in the use of Microsoft Windows and Office environments
• Travel – Ability to travel up to 30% worst case (10% is typical with last couple years depending on project)
• Physical Demands of Position Seeing, color perception, hearing, listening, clear speech, dexterity in hands, driving, lifting, climbing, ability to mount and dismount equipment, pushing, and pulling

Working Condition Expected on client location 5 days a week, Standard office environment, On-site office environment, and diverse industrial/construction environments. Frequent PC usage, copy machines, phones.

Header:Senior-level Controls Engineer role supporting complex automation and system integration projects across manufacturing and entertainment environments.

The team is targeting 8–10+ years of experience and is looking for someone who can operate independently, design systems from scratch, and support projects through startup and commissioning with minimal ramp-up. This role is hands-on and technical, blending PLC programming, electrical design awareness, and on-site troubleshooting. Candidates with strong industrial automation fundamentals tend to be most successful.

Must have

• 8–10+ years of Controls / Automation Engineering experience
• Strong PLC programming from scratch (templates acceptable), ideally with:
• Rockwell / Allen-Bradley
• Siemens
• Solid understanding of control system hardware, I/O, and field device - not just software
• Hands-on experience with troubleshooting, startup, and commissioning
• Background in industrial automation or manufacturing (industry is flexible)
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or closely related field with direct controls experience
• Experience working with major industrial automation platforms and ethernet-based distributed I/O
• Comfortable working onsite and collaborating closely with cross-functional project teams

Nice to have

• Experience in safety-critical or regulated environments (attractions, safety engineering, ASTM standards, SIL/PL concepts)
• Ability to support or review panel layout and electrical design considerations
• Familiarity withAutoCADfor controls or panel documentation
• Exposure to multiple PLC programming languages beyond ladder logic (e.g., structured text)

Additional Information

• Location: Orlando, FL
• Work Model: 100% onsite at client/project locations
• Travel: Listed up to 30%, but typically closer to ~10% depending on project phase
• Compensation: Experience-driven; $110K–$140K base plus annual bonus and ESOP participation

Interview Process

• Recruiter phone screen
• Technical interview (virtual)
• Final technical interview (onsite)
• Team Environment: Employee-owned engineering firm with long-term project stability and strong technical ownership culture

Why This Role Is Attractive to Candidates

Wunderlich-Malec Engineering (WM) is a 100% employee-owned ESOP and one of the largest and most well-established engineering companies in the United States. When you join WM you become part of a company that is:

• 100% employee-owned with 40+ years of industry history
• ENR (Engineering News Record) Top 500 firm
• Rated as a top System Integrator Giant
• Wunderlich-Malec is proud to offer a comprehensive employee-owner benefit package.

Full-time employees may be eligible for the following benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Basic and Supplemental Life and AD&D
• Long Term Disability
• Voluntary Short Term Disability
• Healthcare & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Referral Bonus Program
• 401(k)/Profit Sharing
• 100% ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Will Preparation Resources
• Worldwide Travel Assistance