Controls Engineer Manager

KPI Solutions; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Health Care Concierge Service

401(k) Pre-tax & Roth

Life Insurance + Disability

Voluntary Life & AD&D

Voluntary Accident & Illness

Milk Stork Program

Wellness Program

PTO

Job summary

KPI Solutions in the United States seeks a Controls Engineer Manager to lead end-to-end brownfield projects and select greenfield initiatives, owning engineering delivery, cost control, schedule adherence, and risk management.

The role provides leadership for high‑risk, execution‑heavy work, acting as the primary execution owner and engineering resource manager while mentoring staff to grow within the organization. Travel up to 25% may be required as projects dictate.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (Electrical, Controls, Mechatronics, Industrial Automation, or related field) or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of experience in Controls and/or Electrical Engineering.
• 3+ years leading engineering teams or project execution.
• Proven experience delivering brownfield automation or material handling projects.
• Strong understanding of PLC-based controls systems, safety PLCs, and machine automation; industrial networking; AutoCAD Electrical; electrical system design and commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Manage engineering resources to keep them fully utilized on internal and client projects.
• Recruit and interview engineering candidates when additional resources are needed.
• Oversee training and mentoring of engineering personnel.
• Execute annual performance reviews for engineering staff and recommend raises or promotions.
• Develop and maintain department standards for all projects.
• Manage day-to-day engineering activities across design, implementation, commissioning, and close-out; ensure schedules, scope, and cost targets.
• Collaborate with executive team to set department goals and individual development goals for engineering staff.
• Work with clients and KPI employees to design material handling systems that fit client needs.
• Lead design reviews and attend client meetings to support project engineers.
• Support vendor factory acceptance testing or first article inspections.
• Oversee Electrical and controls subcontractors.

Job description

The Controls Engineer Manager is responsible for end‑to‑end execution of all brownfield projects and small-medium greenfield projects, with accountability for engineering delivery, cost control, schedule adherence, and risk management.

This role provides dedicated leadership for high‑risk, execution‑heavy work, ensuring predictable delivery while protecting margin. The Controls Manager operates as the primary execution owner, engineering resource manager, subcontractor quality manager. This individual must be knowledgeable of all projects being worked on by their team so that they can support their engineers’ needs and help them resolve project issues. This role will require strong interpersonal and communication skills with enhanced multi-tasking abilities across engineering, project management, procurement, and manufacturing. The ideal candidate will have the ability to support company, and client needs while also promoting individual success and inspiring their employees to grow within the organization.

Essential Job Duties:

1. Manage engineering resources to keep them fully utilized on internal and client projects.

2. Recruit and interview possible engineering candidates when additional resources are needed.

3. Oversee training and mentoring of engineering personnel.

4. Execute annual performance reviews for engineering staff and recommend raises or promotions when appropriate.

5. Develop and maintain department standards while making sure that these standards are followed by all employees for all projects.

6. Manage day‑to‑day engineering activities across design, implementation, commissioning, and close‑out, ensuring adherence to project schedules, scope, and cost targets.

7. Collaborate with executive team to develop department goals and individual development goals for engineering staff.

8. Work with clients and other KPI employees to develop the proper material handling system and equipment to suit the client’s needs.

9. Lead design reviews and attend client meetings to support project engineers.

10. Support vendor factory acceptance testing or first article inspections.

11. Oversee Electrical and controls subcontractors.

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Electrical, Controls, Mechatronics, Industrial Automation, or related field). Equivalent experience may be considered.

2. 8+ years of experience in Controls and/or Electrical Engineering

3. 3+ years leading engineering teams or project execution.

4. Proven experience delivering brownfield automation or material handling projects.

5. Strong understanding of:

• PLC‑based controls systems, safety PLCs, and machine automation (Rockwell preferred; Siemens/others a plus).

• Industrial networking (EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, ControlNet, Profinet, etc.).

• AutoCAD Electrical to design electrical schematics, panel layouts, and system diagrams.

• Electrical system design and implementation

• Commissioning and site execution challenges

1. Prior experience defining and working with software/PLC interfaces.

2. Familiarity with SCADA/HMI platforms (Ignition, FactoryTalk View preferred).

3. Ability to diagnose and resolve complex electrical and controls issues efficiently.

4. Ability to lead technical conversations with customers and cross-functional teams.

5. Experience managing engineering cost, EACs, forecasts, schedules.

6. Excellent organizational skills with emphasis on effective oral and written communication

7. Capable of managing multiple priorities in fast-paced environments.

8. Ability to manage a diverse engineering staff located both in office and remote and comfortable mentoring and guiding engineers.

Other Requirements:

Willingness to travel to customer sites and KPI project locations (up to 25% typical, based on project load)

Benefits

• Medical Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Health Care Concierge Service

• 401(k) Retirement Plan (Pre-tax & Roth)

• Company paid Basic Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability & Long-Term Disability

• Voluntary Life & AD&D Insurance

• Voluntary Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity Insurance

• Milk Stork Program

• Wellness Program with gift card redemption and wellness challenges

• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & 10 Holidays)

• Training & Development

KPI Solutions provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by states, federal, or local law.