Development Controls Engineer – System Performance Testing

Laitram LLC; Maryland; On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Intralox, L.L.C. in Hanover, MD, seeks a Development Controls Engineer to join the Development Test team.

You will design, debug, and deploy PLC/HMI software for developmental conveyor equipment and test loops, and partner with Test and Mechanical Engineers to drive performance improvements. The role emphasizes hands‑on debugging, system architecture decisions, and modular, maintainable solutions in a dynamic development environment focused on ARB equipment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or related field.
• 5+ years of controls, automation, or industrial equipment development.
• Strong PLC programming experience in ladder logic and structured text.
• Experience with Rockwell, Siemens, Beckhoff, or comparable controls platforms, with ability to learn across platforms.
• Proficiency configuring and troubleshooting PLCs, HMIs, industrial PCs, networks, VFDs, sensors, cameras, and related automation hardware.
• Ability to diagnose equipment behavior by combining controls knowledge with mechanical understanding.
• Ability to work in an ambiguous development environment.
• Ability to collaborate with Test Engineers and Mechanical Engineers to influence design and testing.
• Experience creating or interpreting electrical schematics, control‑panel layouts, and control‑circuit documentation; AutoCAD Electrical preferred.
• Strong problem‑solving and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Own design, development, documentation, debugging, deployment, and support of PLC, HMI, and controls software for developmental equipment.
• Translate equipment behavior and objectives into practical controls strategies.
• Configure and integrate field devices (VFDs, sensors, cameras, etc.).
• Support rapid iteration by adapting controls logic as concepts and targets evolve.
• Contribute to control system architecture for test loops with modularity and maintainability.
• Collaborate with Test Engineers to improve test loop capability and reduce cycle time.
• Take ownership of complex controls problems and drive to resolution.
• Serve as a bridge between R&D, Test, and Mechanical Engineers.
• Create clear documentation for controls logic and test configurations.
• Identify opportunities to提高 testing efficiency through automation, data capture, and diagnostics.

Skills

PLC programming

Rockwell

Siemens

Beckhoff

HMI development

AutoCAD Electrical

Electrical schematics

Diagnostics

Documentation

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in EE/CE/CS/Mechatronics

Job description

Development Controls Engineer – System Performance Testing

Intralox, L.L.C., located in Hanover, MD, is seeking a Development Controls Engineer to join our Development Test team. The Hanover site serves as a hub for innovation in conveyance equipment and supports product releases for customers around the world. The Development Test team is responsible for advancing new solutions through every stage of the product lifecycle, from early concept through full commercial release. Within this environment, the Development Controls Engineer will work side by side with Test Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, and cross‑functional development teams to create, refine, and validate control systems for developmental conveyor equipment. This role requires an experienced controls professional who can move comfortably between hands‑on equipment debugging, PLC and HMI development, system architecture decisions, and collaborative problem solving in an ambiguous development environment. The Development Controls Engineer is expected to help shape how equipment functions, how it is tested, and how performance improvements are identified and implemented. This position will focus on the Activated Roller Belt (ARB) Equipment space.

This position is not eligible for work authorization or sponsorship.

Responsibilities:

• Own the design, development, documentation, debugging, deployment, and support of PLC, HMI, and controls software used for developmental conveyor equipment, conveyor test loops, prototype equipment, and test systems.
• Work closely with Test Engineers to translate equipment behavior, test objectives, and performance gaps into practical controls strategies and improvement concepts.
• Configure and integrate field devices such as VFDs, photoeyes, encoders, barcode scanners, sensors, actuators, solenoids, safety devices, alarms, I/O, cameras, and related automation hardware.
• Support rapid iteration in a development environment by adapting controls logic and system configurations as equipment concepts, test plans, and performance targets evolve.
• Contribute to control system architecture decisions for test loops and developmental equipment, with emphasis on modularity, repeatability, maintainability, and efficient troubleshooting.
• Partner with Test Engineers to improve test loop capability, standardize setup procedures, refine configuration workflows, and reduce cycle time across test operations.
• Take ownership of complex controls‑related problems and drive them toward clear conclusions, corrective actions, or design recommendations.
• Serve as a technical bridge between R&D Controls Engineers, Test Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, and other development stakeholders.
• Create clear documentation for controls logic, equipment setup, troubleshooting procedures, standard operating practices, and test‑system configuration.
• Identify opportunities to increase testing efficiency through automation, data capture, diagnostics, visualization, and AI‑assisted tools where appropriate.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of controls, automation, or industrial equipment development experience; significant hands‑on industrial automation experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Strong PLC programming experience in an industrial automation environment, including comfort with ladder logic and structured text.
• Experience with Rockwell, Siemens, Beckhoff, or comparable controls platforms, with the ability to learn and adapt across platforms as needed.
• Proficiency configuring and troubleshooting PLCs, HMIs, industrial PCs, networks, VFDs, sensors, cameras, and related automation hardware used on conveyors, sorters, or other industrial equipment.
• Ability to diagnose equipment behavior by combining controls knowledge with an understanding of mechanical systems, product flow, safety systems, and test objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to work in an ambiguous development environment where equipment concepts, controls strategies, and performance targets may evolve over time.
• Ability to collaborate closely with Test Engineers and Mechanical Engineers to influence equipment design, testing strategy, and performance outcomes.
• Experience creating or interpreting electrical schematics, control‑panel layouts, and control‑circuit documentation; AutoCAD Electrical experience preferred.
• Strong problem‑solving skills with the ability to take ownership of complex technical issues and drive them to practical resolution.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document controls changes, test‑system configurations, and troubleshooting guidance clearly.
• Positive, proactive attitude with strong attention to detail and a willingness to work hands‑on with developmental equipment and hand tools.
• Ability to lift 40 lbs.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally, support field activities as needed, and work weekends, holidays, or overtime when required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in conveyor, industrial automation, product handling, packaging, logistics, warehousing, or material‑handling equipment.
• Experience with Beckhoff controls platforms and TwinCAT programming.
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, SQL, or other tools used for data analysis, automation, diagnostics, or test‑system support.
• Experience designing systems that support data capture, equipment diagnostics, test automation, or repeatable performance measurement.
• Experience applying AI‑assisted tools to reduce manual, repetitive work in troubleshooting, documentation, data extraction, video review, or test analysis.

Intralox’s benefit program is a major part of an employee’s total compensation from the company. Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits including health, dental, vision, and disability insurance, paid time off, 401K, flexible spending account, life and AD&D insurance, long‑term care, tuition reimbursement, and additional voluntary benefits.

The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. Intralox considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training and key skills. Therefore, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply regardless of their salary expectations.

The position is eligible for one of the following: commissions, discretionary incentives, or production incentives according to the terms of those plans.