Controls Engineer (PLC/Estimator Position)

Shermco Industries; United States Virgin Islands; Remote; USD 100,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Shermco US is seeking a remote Systems Integration Sales Engineer to evaluate and estimate industrial electrical and automation projects, with a primary focus on general systems integration.

A key part of the role is translating minimal customer information into a complete control system architecture, specifying PLC platforms, HMI hardware and software, and delivering turnkey solutions from engineering through commissioning.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in the industrial electrical industry.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in construction estimating.
• Journeyman Electrician license preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of electrical systems, codes, and standards.
• Strong understanding of PLC/HMI hardware and software solutions from limited inputs.
• Background in automation and controls.
• Familiar with estimating and vendor relations; English fluency required.

Responsibilities

• Consult with industrial clients to gather requirements and define control-system architecture.
• Develop estimates for turnkey integration solutions including engineering, panels, and commissioning.
• Review drawings and specs to determine project estimates.
• Identify opportunities to modernize aging industrial infrastructure.
• Attend pre-bid meetings and site tours to confirm take-offs.
• Prepare takeoffs, submittals, and proposals.
• Request quotes from vendors for PLC/HMI hardware and software.

Skills

Industrial electrical experience

Estimating & cost reviews

PLC/HMI hardware/software knowledge

Remote work capability

Technical communication

Ability to read electrical drawings

Safety/code familiarity (NEC/NFPA)

Tools

AutoCAD

Accubid

Bluebeam/Adobe Acrobat

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Overview

Shermco US is hiring a remote Systems Integration Sales Engineer. In this role, you will evaluate and estimate industrial electrical and automation projects, with a primary focus on general systems integration. A critical component of this position is the ability to take high-level or minimal customer information and conceptualize a complete control system architecture. You will specify the necessary PLC platforms, HMI hardware, and software required to deliver a comprehensive, turnkey solution—encompassing Engineering, Control Panels, Desktop HMI, Programming, Installation, and Commissioning.

Overview

Shermco US is hiring a remote Systems Integration Sales Engineer. In this role, you will evaluate and estimate industrial electrical and automation projects, with a primary focus on general systems integration. A critical component of this position is the ability to take high-level or minimal customer information and conceptualize a complete control system architecture. You will specify the necessary PLC platforms, HMI hardware, and software required to deliver a comprehensive, turnkey solution—encompassing Engineering, Control Panels, Desktop HMI, Programming, Installation, and Commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Consult with industrial clients to gather operational requirements, effectively interpreting minimal initial information to conceptualize and determine the appropriate control system architecture.


• Develop comprehensive estimates for complete turnkey integration solutions, including upfront Engineering, Control Panel fabrication, Desktop HMI setup, PLC Programming, Field Installation, and final Commissioning.


• Review proposal specifications and drawings to determine estimates for industrial electrical projects.


• Estimate new construction and retrofit upgrades.


• Proactively identify opportunities during the estimation process to modernize aging industrial infrastructure (such as migrating legacy Allen-Bradley PLC-5 platforms) to mitigate customer downtime and improve system reliability.


• Attend pre-bid meetings and/or tour job sites to confirm requisite take-offs.


• Prepare project takeoffs, submittals, and proposals.


• Request quotes from vendors for equipment and materials, particularly focusing on accurately sizing and sourcing PLC and HMI hardware/software.


• Responsible for the timely completion of all client‑required documents.


• Draft scope inclusions, exclusions, and clarifications for estimates.


• Identify and meet customers’ needs, expectations, and requirements.


• Interact effectively and professionally with all levels of employees, vendors, clients, and others.


• Maintain files of working documents as back‑up for estimate figures, including information on pricing from suppliers obtained through direct contact, sales brochures, price lists, software uploads, etc.


• Support other department personnel as required; may include assisting with estimates in other disciplines.


• Perform additional assignments per supervisor’s direction.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in the industrial electrical industry.


• Minimum 2 years’ experience in construction estimating.


• Journeyman Electrician license preferred.


• In-depth knowledge of electrical systems, codes, and standards.


• Strong functional understanding of various PLC platforms and how they operate within a broader industrial network.


• Proven ability to conceptualize and specify complete PLC/HMI hardware and software solutions from limited customer inputs.


• Background in automation and controls, including PLC’s, instrumentation, valves, mechanical control panels, electrical control panels is a plus.


• Demonstrated innate drive for continuous learning and professional growth; we highly value hungry, adaptable mindsets over resumes strictly matched to keywords.


• Familiar with NECA rates, structures and their shortcomings.


• Familiar with NEC/NFPA-70E.


• Understands the material quoting process, RFQ’s, how to deal with vendors, etc.


• Understands how to address/escalate specification conflicts, drawing inaccuracies or other questions stemming from the drawing package.


• Familiar with estimating/installing all types of electrical raceway, including cable tray, EMT, rigid, IMC & plastibond, and all associated fittings and appurtenances.


• Ability to read and interpret electrical & automation construction drawings, wiring details, installation detail, P&ID’s, layout drawings, panel drawings, BOM’s, etc.


• Ability to read and interpret complex construction specifications as they apply to electrical, automation and control-related mechanical means and methods.


• Software experience in the following:


• Microsoft office suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, etc…)


• Microsoft Teams


• Autocad/Autocad LT


• Adobe Acrobat/Bluebeam


• Advanced/Expert level experience in Accubid, including setup of databases, projects, custom assemblies, labor rates, difficulty modifiers, LiveCount, etc.


• Must be able to speak, read and write English fluently.


• Must possess exceptional verbal and written communication skills.


• Must possess the ability to communicate with customers, contractors, owners and specialty equipment suppliers to determine scopes of work and required materials/equipment.


• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and change priorities as necessary.


• Ability to be self‑motivated, proactive, and an effective team player in a remote position.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER | DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE

Shermco is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. Shermco is a drug‑free workplace.

Pay Range

USD $100,000.00 - USD $155,000.00 /Yr.