Controls Engineering Leader - Corrugated Value Stream

Barry-Wehmiller Companies Inc.; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

BW Papersystems, part of the Barry-Wehmiller Group, seeks a Corrugated Controls Engineering Leader to guide controls engineers in designing and upgrading automated corrugated board machinery. You will collaborate with sales, operations, field service, and product management to meet cost, performance, and lead-time goals while driving continuous improvement.

The role requires leadership, strong PLC/HMI knowledge, and experience in electrical design and control systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required; master’s degree preferred.
• Typically requires 10+ years of experience in design or R&D in a manufacturing environment.
• Current engineering license in Wisconsin preferred.
• Experience in manufacturing and corrugated equipment is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead team of Controls Engineers for Corrugated New Equipment and Upgrades.
• Mentor, lead, and support the development of team members.
• Plan and execute succession planning for the team.
• Collaborate with Sales, Field Service and other departments to develop specifications.
• Travel ~30% including international travel.

Skills

Leadership

PLC & HMI controls

Electrical schematics

Project leadership

Mentoring team

Lean manufacturing

Customer interfacing

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Engineering license (Wisconsin preferred)

Tools

PLC/Hardware

HMI systems

Industrial drives

Electrical design tools

Job description

About Us

BW Papersystems, part of the Barry-Wehmiller Group, builds capital equipment that transforms paper into products for consumers - every day, around the world. We offer innovative technologies, service and parts, and years of global experience in corrugating, finishing; slitting and packaging; stationery; bookbinding and security documents. Customers rely on our machines to produce and convert items such as corrugated boxes, folding cartons, passports, notebooks, copy paper, board, and coated and other specialty papers. For more information, visit bwpapersystems.com. Barry-Wehmiller is a diversified global supplier of engineering consulting and manufacturing technology for the packaging, corrugating, sheeting and paper-converting industries. By blending people-centric leadership with disciplined operational strategies and purpose-driven growth, Barry-Wehmiller has become a $3billion organization with nearly 12000 team members united by a common belief: to use the power of business to build a better world.

Job Description

The Corrugated Controls Engineering Leader is responsible for leading the controls engineering teams in the implementation of automated controls systems including electrical design, technical analysis, and/or resolution of engineering problems for high speed, automated corrugated board manufacturing machinery. This leader works in a collaborative team approach achieving cost, performance, and lead‑time goals for new product development projects. In addition, this role will lead the controls team to provide support to existing equipment and upgrade business needs. The Corrugated Controls Engineering Leader interfaces with sales, operations, field service, product management, mechanical engineering, and global engineering teams to support customer needs. Serving as an active member of the Corrugated Engineering leadership team, this role collaborates and supports the BW Papersystems vision and company‑wide initiatives. This leader will act consistently with the Guiding Principles of Leadership while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Also, this individual will lead engineering process improvement initiatives. Reports To: VP of Global Engineering - Corrugated Travel: This position requires travel approximately 30% of the time, which may include international travel.

Key Responsibilities/Complexities

• Leadership Lead team of Controls Engineers for Corrugated New Equipment and Upgrades.
• Be a role model for execution and add value to the business for the controls team.
• Mentor, lead, and support the development of team members within your span of care.
• Strategically plan, create, and execute succession planning for your team.
• Embrace and exemplify the Guiding Principles of Leadership (GPL) and Leadership Fundamentals.

Technical Expertise

• Demonstrate advanced ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and mechanical assembly layouts.
• Technical systems integration and interface with OEM Software/Controls Suppliers.
• Lead controls engineering teams to develop new products and features for the Corrugated equipment.
• Provide direction on the design and development of electrical equipment, including pc’s plc’s, hmi’s, cameras, motors, and drives (servo, VFD, stepper).
• Lead controls teams to develop control algorithms for all types of machine controls including speed, temperature, moisture, web tension, steam, starch, safety, industrial networking, order sequencing, and advanced web tracking; with design requirements focusing on consistent and reuseable control systems architecture.
• Determine programming standards, objectives, and requirements while maintaining close control on software & electrical schematics revisions.
• Develop and maintain software for the operations of company’s machines; develop and deploy debugging and maintenance software for company products & related equipment.

Collaboration & Product Development

• Collaborate with sales team, customers, field service team, and other departments to develop engineering and functional system specifications.
• Establish goals, set priorities, and coordinate all related activities as they pertain to the product development team ensuring drive and focus on established product launch deadlines, common business goals, and financial objectives.
• Assist in setting the strategic direction for the corrugated product line; participate in strategic business plan meetings and participate in market requirement events as required.
• Contribute to product leadership and strategy development of Corrugated Software and Controls Support global engineering collaboration initiatives to help achieve BW Papersystems product development and product support goals.

Superior Customer Service

• Interface directly with customers to analyze control system malfunctions and meet customer expectations and specifications.
• Travel to customer installations and offering very high-level technical assistance as required.
• Work closely with Sales, Field Service and Operations to support urgent customer needs and develop solutions to technical problems quickly.

Safety

• Advocate for product safety management processes.
• Understand code compliance requirements.
• Lead team in conducting hazard/risk assessment design reviews.

Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to initiate and drive product launches from a software perspective.
• Effectively deliver projects given in broad terms with general objectives and limits.
• Strong engineering project leadership skills: ability to develop and execute detailed goals and project plans to strategically align with the company vision.
• Proven leadership ability focused on team cohesiveness with a shared vision of delivering results while embracing the culture of the organization.
• Experience with mentoring and coaching a team.
• Knowledge of manufacturing policies and practices; experience in Lean techniques.
• Experience participating in the department financial forecasting & budgeting processes.
• Strong quality and customer service orientation.
• Ability to work in customer’s facility and manage that relationship.
• Expert technical knowledge to assist with providing clear direction to the Controls team.
• Proficient in PLC & HMI controls, industrial automation, drives (servo, VFD, stepper), safety codes, and industrial networks (including CRA standards).
• Strong electromechanical skills including hydraulics, pneumatics, steam systems, conveyor systems, motors and mechanical linkages.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; be able to independently solve problems while interfacing with all levels of the organization in a professional environment.
• Must be capable of handling various duties, deadlines, and urgent business needs throughout the day while maintaining a positive attitude and showing an ability to be versatile and flexible.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in engineering required, master’s degree preferred. Current engineering license in Wisconsin preferred. Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of experience in a design or research & development environment. Experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.

Initiative/Ingenuity

Outstanding judgement, initiative, and ability are required to work independently on assignments given in broad terms with general objectives and limits. Requires sound professional judgement; manages confidential data of major importance; leads and motivates function charged with meeting goals to ensure company profitability and reputation as an industry leader.

Work Environment

The Corrugated Controls Engineering Leader works in an indoor office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines. Exposure to manufacturing operations and corrugated plant environments.

Company: BW Papersystems

Throughout Barry-Wehmiller, we hold ourselves to a unique measure of success: by the way we touch the lives of people. It’s that vision that drives us in creating world‑class experiences and solutions for our customers and unites us around our common goal—to use the power of our business to build a better world.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We know that our differences often can bring about innovation, excellence and meaningful work—therefore, people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the interview process. Barry-Wehmiller is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V This organization uses E-Verify. Applicants may be subject to pre‑employment screening which may include drug screening, reference checks, employment verifications, background screening and/or skills assessments.