Controls Engineer: PLC/HMI/VFD Automation Designer

Columbus McKinnon Corporation; Menomonee Falls (WI); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbus McKinnon is seeking a Controls Engineer to design, modify, and support PLCs, HMIs, and VFDs for material handling equipment. You will audit controls drawings, program PLCs, and troubleshoot while collaborating with engineers to meet project scope, budget, and schedule.

The role involves creating wiring diagrams, interfacing with production, and traveling up to 30% to start up automated systems at customer sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field.
• 2+ years’ experience with electrical systems or manufacturing experience.
• 2+ years’ experience working with CAD Electrical.

Responsibilities

• Design and interpret PLC code for customized material handling applications.
• Specify and verify controls requirements on new equipment and existing equipment retrofits.
• Perform PLC programming, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Create bills of materials that include control enclosure, components, and wire.
• Travel to customer sites up to 30% for system start-ups.

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

CAD Electrical

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

ERP systems

Job description

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The Controls Engineer supports and develops controls and electrical specifications for all new and existing equipment. This position is responsible for creating, modifying, and supporting PLC’s, HMI’s, and VFD’s.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Design and interpret PLC code for customized material handling applications.
• Specify and verify controls requirements on new equipment and existing equipment retrofits including maintenance of accurate controls drawings and documentation.
• Perform PLC programming, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Partner with engineers regarding project accuracy, design, standards, and design documentation.
• Complete project responsibilities within scope, budget, and schedule.
• Create bills of materials that include control enclosure, components, and wire.
• Act as a technical resource for internal and external customers.
• Participate on cross-functional teams to ensure the continuous, on-going improvement of processes, methods, productivity, and quality, while reducing costs.
• Create drawings from written and verbal specifications.
• Partner with production as a technical resource.
• Inspect shop panels for correct wiring and set up.
• Resolve any engineering issues as they arise in fabrication, assembly, and service.
• Observe safety procedures and meet electrical codes.
• Travel to customer sites to start up automated systems, to include adjustment/set-up of drives and control devices, point-to-point wire check out, check out of PLC code, etc. Travel up to 30%.

Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities

• A team player that seeks input from others and contributes to the team effort to achieve a common goal.
• Attention to detail. Achieves thoroughness and accuracy when accomplishing a task through concern for all areas involved.
• Ability to build relationships both internally and externally to support customer needs.
• Practice good housekeeping and appropriate measures to increase efficiency in a lean manufacturing environment as well as prevent negative impacts on the equipment.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and approach tasks with a sense of urgency.
• Experience with SolidWorks, AutoCAD and Enterprise Resource planning systems

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field required.
• 2+ years’ experience with electrical systems or manufacturing experience required.
• 2+ years’ experience working with CAD Electrical required.

Columbus McKinnon is a leading worldwide designer, manufacturer and marketer of intelligent motion solutions that move the world forward and improve lives by efficiently and ergonomically moving, lifting, positioning and securing materials. Key products include hoists, crane components, precision conveyor systems, rigging tools, light rail workstations and digital power and motion control systems. We are focused on commercial and industrial applications that require the safety and quality provided by our superior design and engineering know-how. Columbus McKinnon is a publicly traded company that has been in business for almost 150 years – proud of our heritage, where we come from, and where we’re going. As Columbus McKinnon grows globally, so does our need for driven and inspired employees. Join our winning team!

Columbus McKinnon Corporation promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, marital status, or any other Federal or State legally-protected classes. We also value the safety of all associates and work hard to maintain a Drug Free Workplace.

@ 2024 Columbus McKinnon Corporation. All Rights Reserved.