Controls Engineer

Aperture Group; Tennessee; On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Aperture Group seeks a Senior Controls Engineer to lead end-to-end controls delivery for complex material handling systems, from concept through programming, commissioning and handoff. You will design reliable, scalable automation solutions and solve real-time problems on the floor and in the field.

You will mentor junior engineers, drive standards, collaborate across Project Management, Mechanical and Field teams, travel up to 50% as project needs require, and help grow the company’s controls

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience (or 14+ years without a degree) in material handling or industrial automation.
• Advanced PLC programming skills and strong HMI/SCADA development experience.
• Understanding of industrial networking architectures and communication protocols.
• Confident in designing control panels and selecting electrical components.
• Willing and able to travel up to 50%.

Responsibilities

• Lead controls design and execution across multiple material handling projects.
• Develop electrical designs including field device layouts, control panel designs, and electrical schematics using AutoCAD Electrical or EPLAN.
• Select components, design control networks, develop BOMs, and validate equipment selections.
• Program PLCs and develop HMI/SCADA solutions.
• Commission and debug systems on-site; support testing, startup, and validation activities.
• Provide technical support during installation and perform field troubleshooting as needed.
• Deliver projects on time, within scope, and to customer expectations.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of controls standards, templates, and reusable code libraries.
• Lead or support R&D efforts to expand controls capabilities.
• Partner with vendors to evaluate and implement new technologies.
• Identify value-engineering opportunities without compromising system performance.
• Represent the company professionally during site visits, customer meetings, and supplier interactions.
• Mentor junior engineers and share knowledge across the Controls team.
• Participate in controls team initiatives, process improvements, and tool development.
• Support recruiting efforts and provide feedback on technology and software vendors.
• Communicate clearly and proactively with project teams and leadership.
• Contribute to a collaborative, accountable team culture.
• Participate in weekly controls meetings and internal training sessions.

Skills

Controls design

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA development

Industrial networking

Electrical panel design

Team leadership

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

EPLAN

Job description

As a Senior Controls Engineer, you’ll lead end-to-end controls delivery for complex material handling systems, from early concept and component selection through programming, commissioning, and customer handoff. You’ll be a key contributor on high-profile projects, trusted to design reliable, scalable automation solutions and solve problems in real time, both on the floor and in the field.

What You’ll Do

• Lead controls design and execution across multiple material handling projects
• Develop electrical designs including field device layouts, control panel designs, and electrical schematics using AutoCAD Electrical or EPLAN
• Select components, design control networks, develop BOMs, and validate equipment selections
• Program PLCs and develop HMI/SCADA solutions
• Commission and debug systems on-site; support testing, startup, and validation activities
• Provide technical support during installation and perform field troubleshooting as needed
• Deliver projects on time, within scope, and to customer expectations
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of controls standards, templates, and reusable code libraries
• Lead or support R&D efforts and internal initiatives to expand controls capabilities
• Partner with vendors to evaluate and implement new technologies
• Identify value-engineering opportunities without compromising system performance
• Serve as a senior technical contributor on cross-functional project teams (Project Management, Mechanical, Field, etc.)
• Mentor junior engineers and actively share knowledge across the Controls team
• Participate in controls team initiatives, process improvements, and tool development
• Support recruiting efforts and provide feedback on technology and software vendors
• Communicate clearly and proactively with project teams and leadership
• Represent the company professionally during site visits, customer meetings, and supplier interactions
• Contribute to a collaborative, accountable team culture
• Participate in weekly controls meetings and internal training sessions

We’re Excited About You Because

• You bring 10+ years of relevant experience (or 14+ years without a degree), ideally within material handling or industrial automation
• You have advanced PLC programming skills and strong HMI/SCADA development experience
• You understand industrial networking architectures and communication protocols
• You’re confident designing control panels and selecting electrical components
• You’re mechanically inclined and comfortable moving between design work and field environments
• You’re resourceful, self-directed, and enjoy tackling complex technical challenges
• You collaborate well, communicate clearly, and take ownership of outcomes
• You can manage multiple fast-moving projects without losing attention to detail
• You’re willing and able to travel up to 50%, depending on project needs