Design Engineer

LVI Associates; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

LVI Associates in Washington, DC is seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to design DDC/PLC-based control systems, develop drawings and BOMs, and support project execution from design through commissioning.

Ideal candidates have strong AutoCAD skills, HVAC/Building Automation knowledge, and the ability to manage multiple projects while coordinating with various stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, or similar design software.
• Working knowledge of HVAC systems, DDC controls, PLC-based automation systems, and building automation systems.
• Understanding of control panel design, wiring diagrams, schematics, network architectures, and control documentation.
• Ability to interpret construction documents, specifications, sequences of operation, and equipment submittals.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Design DDC and PLC-based control systems, including control panel layouts, wiring diagrams, schematics, network architectures, and system documentation.
• Develop submittal packages, bills of material (BOMs), I/O summaries, device schedules, riser diagrams, and control drawings.
• Interpret mechanical, electrical, and process drawings to create coordinated control system designs.
• Support development of sequences of operation, control narratives, and system logic.
• Assist with control panel design, power distribution layouts, enclosure design, and field device integration.
• Generate as-built documentation, closeout packages, and O&M manuals.
• Ensure design deliverables are completed accurately and in accordance with project schedules.
• Coordinate with project managers, programmers, field technicians, panel shop personnel, contractors, vendors, and customers.
• Participate in project meetings and provide technical input throughout the design lifecycle.
• Generate and respond to RFIs to resolve design questions and scope clarifications.
• Support commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, and system verification activities.
• Communicate project status, design challenges, and schedule impacts to project stakeholders.

Skills

AutoCAD / AutoCAD Electrical

HVAC systems knowledge

DDC controls / PLC automation

Control panel design & documentation

Interpret drawings & specs

Communication & organizational skills

Multi-project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Controls/Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

BACnet

Modbus

Allen-Bradley

Siemens

Schneider

Revit

Bluebeam

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Design DDC and PLC-based control systems, including control panel layouts, wiring diagrams, schematics, network architectures, and system documentation.
• Develop submittal packages, bills of material (BOMs), I/O summaries, device schedules, riser diagrams, and control drawings.
• Interpret mechanical, electrical, and process drawings to create coordinated control system designs.
• Support development of sequences of operation, control narratives, and system logic.
• Assist with control panel design, power distribution layouts, enclosure design, and field device integration.
• Generate as-built documentation, closeout packages, and O&M manuals.
• Ensure design deliverables are completed accurately and in accordance with project schedules.
• Coordinate with project managers, programmers, field technicians, panel shop personnel, contractors, vendors, and customers.
• Participate in project meetings and provide technical input throughout the design lifecycle.
• Generate and respond to RFIs to resolve design questions and scope clarifications.
• Support commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, and system verification activities.
• Communicate project status, design challenges, and schedule impacts to project stakeholders.

Technical Design & Project Execution

• Design DDC and PLC-based control systems, including control panel layouts, wiring diagrams, schematics, network architectures, and system documentation.
• Develop submittal packages, bills of material (BOMs), I/O summaries, device schedules, riser diagrams, and control drawings.
• Interpret mechanical, electrical, and process drawings to create coordinated control system designs.
• Support development of sequences of operation, control narratives, and system logic.
• Assist with control panel design, power distribution layouts, enclosure design, and field device integration.
• Generate as-built documentation, closeout packages, and O&M manuals.
• Ensure design deliverables are completed accurately and in accordance with project schedules.

Project Coordination & Collaboration

• Coordinate with project managers, programmers, field technicians, panel shop personnel, contractors, vendors, and customers.
• Participate in project meetings and provide technical input throughout the design lifecycle.
• Generate and respond to RFIs to resolve design questions and scope clarifications.
• Support commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, and system verification activities.
• Communicate project status, design challenges, and schedule impacts to project stakeholders.

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Perform QA/QC reviews of drawings and documentation prior to release.
• Follow established engineering standards, CAD practices, templates, and design procedures.
• Support improvements to design standards, workflows, templates, and documentation practices.
• Maintain organized project records, revisions, redlines, and technical documentation.
• Contribute to consistency and standardization across engineering deliverables.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field preferred.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, or similar design software.
• Working knowledge of HVAC systems, DDC controls, PLC-based automation systems, and building automation systems.
• Understanding of control panel design, wiring diagrams, schematics, network architectures, and control documentation.
• Ability to interpret construction documents, specifications, sequences of operation, and equipment submittals.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.

Preferred Experience

• 4-7 years of experience in controls design, building automation, industrial automation, electrical design, or related engineering environments.
• Experience creating control system drawings, submittals, commissioning documentation, and closeout packages.
• Familiarity with BACnet, Modbus, and other control network protocols.
• Working knowledge of NEC, NFPA, UL 508A, ASHRAE, and applicable industry standards.
• Experience with control panel design and system integration.
• Exposure to mission-critical facilities, data centers, process facilities, manufacturing, HVAC, or industrial environments.
• Familiarity with Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider, Revit, Bluebeam, or similar platforms is a plus.