Electrical Controls Engineer

Engtal; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO starting at 80 hours

Sick leave 10 days

100% healthcare coverage

401(k) with 4.25% company match

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

Engtal is seeking a skilled Controls Engineer to join our Grand Rapids team, delivering custom automation for aerospace, energy, medical, and general manufacturing sectors. You will design control architectures, program PLCs/HMI, and test systems from concept through customer run-off, collaborating across mechanical, electrical, and software disciplines.

You will troubleshoot complex systems, ensure safety compliance, and contribute to detailed documentation and reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or related field.
• Solid hands-on experience in controls engineering within a machine-building/industrial automation environment.
• Proficiency in PLC programming and HMI systems.
• Experience with robotics.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex control system issues independently and implement solutions.
• Excellent communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Knowledge of safety standards and regulations related to control systems and industrial automation.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to design and develop control systems for custom-built robotic machinery.
• Design control architectures, including sensor, actuator, PLC, and hardware integration.
• Develop and implement control algorithms to achieve system performance, accuracy, and reliability.
• Program and configure PLCs, HMIs, and other control devices to execute control strategies.
• Troubleshoot and debug control software for smooth operation.
• Integrate control systems with mechanical and electrical components and software on machines built from scratch.
• Support on-site run-off with customers and validate machines before/after shipment.
• Create detailed documentation, wiring diagrams, and user manuals.
• Generate technical reports summarizing designs, testing outcomes, and recommendations.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI systems

Robotics experience

Electrical controls design

Troubleshooting

Communication

Safety standards knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Controls Engineering

Tools

PLCs (Siemens/Allen-Bradley)

HMI software

Job description

Controls Engineer | Custom Automation & Robotics | Grand Rapids, MI

Our client is a leading system integrator delivering custom-engineered automation solutions across the aerospace, energy, medical, military, and general manufacturing industries. They design, build, and commission machines from scratch, seeing each project through to final run-off with the customer.

They are looking for an experienced Controls Engineer to join a close-knit engineering team, taking custom assembly and automation projects from concept through commissioning and final customer run-off.

What You'll Do

Controls System Design

• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to design and develop control systems for custom-built, robotic machinery


• Design control architectures, including selection and integration of sensors, actuators, PLCs, and other hardware components


• Develop and implement control algorithms to achieve desired system performance, accuracy, and reliability

Programming and Implementation

• Program and configure PLCs, HMIs, and other control devices to execute desired control strategies


• Troubleshoot and debug control software to ensure smooth system operation

Integration and Testing

• Integrate control systems with mechanical components, electrical systems, and software applications on machines built from the ground up


• Support and participate in on‑site run-off with customers, ensuring machines are fully validated before and after shipment


• Conduct thorough testing and validation of control systems, including simulation and real-world testing, to ensure proper functionality and safety

Documentation and Reporting

• Create detailed documentation, including control system specifications, wiring diagrams, and user manuals


• Generate technical reports summarizing control system designs, testing outcomes, and recommendations

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related field


• Solid, hands-on experience in controls engineering within a machine‑building or industrial automation environment; someone who can hit the ground running


• Proficiency in PLC programming and HMI systems


• Experience with robotics


• Ability to troubleshoot complex control system issues independently and implement effective solutions


• Excellent communication skills, comfortable working with both technical and non-technical stakeholders


• Knowledge of safety standards and regulations related to control systems and industrial automation

Why Join This Team

• Work on custom machines built from scratch, including robotics, PLCs, and HMIs, seeing every project through from design to on‑site customer run‑off


• Be part of an experienced engineering team solving real, hands‑on technical challenges rather than working from a template


• Genuine opportunity to grow with a business continually looking for ways to improve its products and offering


• PTO starting at 80 hours, plus 10 days of sick leave


• Healthcare covered 100% (Priority Health)


• 401(k) with 4.25% company match


• Additional benefits: dental, vision, and life insurance