Electrical Controls Engineer

barrywehmiller; Fresno (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Barry-Wehmiller’s BW Packaging division seeks an Electrical Controls Engineer to design, develop, program, and support electrical control systems for automated packaging machinery. You will collaborate with mechanical, manufacturing, and service teams to deliver reliable equipment that meets standards and customer requirements.

Role emphasizes PLC/HMI programming, motion control, safety systems, and hands-on commissioning, with travel up to 25% as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field (or equivalent).
• Minimum 5 years of electrical controls design and PLC/HMI development.
• Strong PLC programming experience (Rockwell/Allen-Bradley preferred).
• Experience with HMI development and user interface design.
• Experience with multi-axis motion control systems and VFD equipment.
• Knowledge of electrical design tools (AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN).
• Solid understanding of industrial networks and machine safety.

Responsibilities

• Develop and program PLC, HMI, motion control, and automation systems for packaging equipment.
• Program and optimize high-speed machine sequences for throughput and quality.
• Configure and commission servo axes, sensors, vision systems, barcode scanners, printers, and inspection devices.
• Configure and troubleshoot safety systems including guarding and light curtains.
• Support machine build, debugging, validation, and commissioning during FAT and SAT.
• Collaborate on electrical schematics, panel layouts, BOMs, and component selection.
• Troubleshoot electrical, controls, and system issues during install and field support.
• Maintain technical documentation including drawings and backups.
• Provide field support and occasional on-site startup and optimization.
• Mentor junior engineers and adapt to evolving priorities.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI development

Motion control

Safety systems

Electrical design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

EPLAN

Job description

About Us:

BW Packaging is driving performance at the intersection of people, technology, and customer care. As part of the privately held Barry-Wehmiller family, we unite a global team of packaging experts with a clear purpose: People Who Care, Building Solutions that Perform. We take on our customers' toughest challenges as our own - delivering both innovative and enduring solutions that set the standard for value and performance. Our strength comes from our people and the power of our brands - trusted names in packaging that are known worldwide for engineering excellence, application expertise, and lifetime commitment to customer success. Truly Human Leadership guides our belief that exceptional business results and profound respect for people together provide the foundation of enduring success. We are committed to forging lasting partnerships with our customers, earning their trust through integrity, expertise, and execution. With our full range of packaging solutions and long term partnership and service, we help customers achieve operational excellence today while building the future of packaging together.

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 $3 billion organization with nearly 12,000 team members united by a common belief: to use the power of business to build a better world.

Job Description:

Job Summary: The Electrical Controls Engineer is responsible for the design, development, programming, and support of electrical control systems for automated packaging machinery. This role partners closely with mechanical engineering, manufacturing, and service teams to deliver safe, reliable, and high-performing equipment that meets customer and regulatory requirements. Success is measured by on-time, on-budget, quality equipment that meets performance expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and program PLC, HMI, motion control, and automation systems for packaging equipment.
• Program and optimize high-speed machine sequences with a focus on throughput, accuracy, and finished product quality to specifications.
• Configure and commission servo axes, sensors, vision systems, barcode scanners, printers, and inspection devices.
• Configure and troubleshoot safety systems, including safe zones, guarding, light curtains, and safety-rated monitored stops.
• Support machine build, debug, validation, and commissioning during FAT and SAT.
• Collaborate with Electrical Design Engineers in the development of electrical schematics, panel layouts, component selection, and bills of material.
• Troubleshoot and resolve electrical, controls, and system issues during build, installation, and field support.
• Perform limited electrical design modifications and documentation updates in support of machine enhancements, issue resolution, and customer-specific requirements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support robotic integration into overall machine design and performance.
• Ensure compliance with applicable machine safety standards.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, including electrical drawings, programs, and backups.
• Provide technical support to customers and field service teams, including occasional on-site startup and optimization.
• May lead, guide, coach, or mentor less experienced team members; be a positive role model for the team.
• Demonstrate flexibility and ability to work on other non-core product lines based on demand.
• Flexibility to take on evolving responsibilities in response to strategic priorities and business needs.
• Travel is an essential element to expand knowledge, support of our customers, and support business growth needs. Travel could be to company sponsored training, customers' facilities, or other BW facilities both domestic and international. Estimated at up to 25% annually.

Qualifications & Desired Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field, from an accredited college or university; equivalent combination of formal education and relevant job experience may be considered.
• Minimum 5 years of electrical controls design and PLC/HMI development.
• Strong experience with PLC programming (Rockwell/Allen-Bradley preferred).
• Experience with HMI development and user interface development.
• Experience developing and commissioning multi-axis motion control systems, including servo motion, coordinated machine sequencing, electronic camming and gearing, and VFD-controlled equipment.
• Working knowledge with electrical design tools (e.g., AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, etc.).
• Solid understanding of industrial networks and machine safety systems.
• Strong problem-solving, c