Electrical Controls Engineer

Steven Douglas Corp.; Northern (KY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

HSA

401(k) with match

Paid vacation & holidays

Professional development

Job summary

Steven Douglas Corp. (SDC) designs, engineers, and builds custom automation systems for medical, consumer products, industrial, automotive, and other industries.

As a Controls Engineer, you will own the controls portion of multiple projects from concept through startup, designing electrical schemes, PLC/ HMI programs, and motion control.

Join a hands-on team focused on creating new machines from the ground up, traveling up to 10% to support startups and FAT activities.

Qualifications

• 5+ years hands-on controls engineering experience designing custom industrial machinery or complex automated systems.
• Experience designing electrical control systems, including electrical schematics, panel layouts, and I/O lists using AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar software.
• Strong PLC and HMI programming experience, primarily Allen-Bradley (Logix family, GuardLogix, PanelView, FactoryTalk View, or similar platforms).
• Solid experience implementing complex motion control including servo systems, coordinated multi-axis motion, and high-speed automation.
• Experience leading controls work through the complete project lifecycle—from concept and design reviews through programming, debug, machine runoff, customer FAT, installation, and startup.

Responsibilities

• Own the controls portion of multiple automation projects from concept through customer acceptance.
• Define control architectures alongside mechanical and electrical engineers to develop reliable, maintainable automation systems.
• Develop, test, and debug PLC, HMI, motion control, and safety programs using standardized, scalable programming practices.
• Lead controls debug during panel build, machine assembly, runoff, FAT, installation, and startup.
• Work directly with customers during design reviews, FATs, startups, and technical discussions.
• Collaborate daily with Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, Assembly, Project Management, Purchasing, and Service to deliver successful projects.
• Apply and continuously improve SDC's controls standards, reusable code libraries, and engineering best practices.
• Troubleshoot complex technical issues using a calm, systematic, root-cause approach.
• Work with modern automation technologies including robotics, machine vision, servo motion, industrial networking, and advanced manufacturing software.
• Travel approximately 10% to support customer startups and project implementation.

Skills

Controls engineering

Electrical design

PLC/HMI programming

Motion control

Project leadership

Safety engineering

Robotics integration

Machine vision

C# programming

Industrial controls platforms

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechatronics

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

EPLAN

Job description

Description

Build Machines That Matter.

At Steven Douglas Corp. (SDC), we design, engineer, and build custom automation systems that solve complex manufacturing challenges for customers across medical, consumer products, industrial, automotive, and other industries.

No two projects are the same. Our engineers work on high-performance custom equipment from concept through startup, solving new technical challenges every day instead of maintaining the same production line. If you enjoy building machines from the ground up, collaborating with a talented team, and seeing your work come to life on the customer\'s floor, we\'d love to talk with you.

This position is best suited for engineers who have designed and commissioned new automation equipment. While maintenance and manufacturing experience is valuable, this role focuses on creating new machines from the ground up.

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

• 5+ years of hands-on controls engineering experience designing custom industrial machinery or complex automated systems.
• Experience designing electrical control systems, including electrical schematics, panel layouts, and I/O lists using AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar software.
• Strong PLC and HMI programming experience, primarily Allen-Bradley (Logix family, GuardLogix, PanelView, FactoryTalk View, or similar platforms).
• Solid experience implementing complex motion control including servo systems, coordinated multi-axis motion, and high-speed automation.
• Experience leading controls work through the complete project lifecycle—from concept and design reviews through programming, debug, machine runoff, customer FAT, installation, and startup.
• Bachelor\'s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or equivalent hands-on industry experience.

Nice to Have

• Experience integrating industrial robots such as FANUC, Yaskawa, Epson, ABB, or similar platforms.
• Experience with industrial vision systems including Cognex, Keyence, or equivalent technologies.
• Familiarity with C# or other object-oriented programming languages.
• Experience with Ignition, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Beckhoff, or other industrial controls platforms.
• Knowledge of industrial safety systems, functional safety, and machine risk assessments.

What You’ll Do

• Own the controls portion of multiple automation projects from concept through customer acceptance.
• Define control architectures alongside mechanical and electrical engineers to develop reliable, maintainable automation systems.
• Develop, test, and debug PLC, HMI, motion control, and safety programs using standardized, scalable programming practices.
• Lead controls debug during panel build, machine assembly, runoff, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), installation, and startup.
• Work directly with customers during design reviews, FATs, startups, and technical discussions.
• Collaborate daily with Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, Assembly, Project Management, Purchasing, and Service to deliver successful projects.
• Apply and continuously improve SDC\'s controls standards, reusable code libraries, and engineering best practices.
• Troubleshoot complex technical issues using a calm, systematic, root-cause approach.
• Work with modern automation technologies including robotics, machine vision, servo motion, industrial networking, and advanced manufacturing software.
• Travel approximately 10% to support customer startups and project implementation.

What Success Looks Like

Successful Controls Engineers at SDC:

• Deliver reliable, maintainable control systems that perform as designed.
• Complete projects on schedule while maintaining high engineering quality.
• Build strong working relationships with customers and teammates.
• Continuously improve engineering standards, documentation, and reusable controls libraries.
• Help make every machine better than the last.

What We Expect From Everyone at SDC

Every role at SDC is built on a shared set of expectations that define how we work together.

• Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, and accountability in everything you do.
• Treat coworkers, customers, suppliers, and partners with respect.
• Communicate openly and collaboratively across all departments.
• Take ownership by identifying issues early, proposing solutions, and following through.
• Adapt to changing priorities while maintaining a positive, team-first attitude.
• Produce high-quality, detail-oriented work that supports safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Be dependable, willing to learn, and ready to support teammates whenever needed.
• Contribute to a workplace built on trust, teamwork, and shared success.

Why Join Steven Douglas Corp.?

• Work on challenging, custom automation projects—not repetitive production support.
• Collaborate with an experienced team of engineers, machinists, electricians, assemblers, and project managers.
• See your designs come to life from concept through customer startup.
• Help shape engineering standards and influence how future machines are built.
• Grow your technical skills while working with robotics, vision systems, servo motion, AI-enabled inspection, and advanced automation technologies.
• Join a stable, family-owned company committed to long-term growth, innovation, and investing in its people.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Performance-based incentive opportunities.
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, with supplemental coverage options.
• Company-sponsored Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• 401(k) with a 4% employer match per pay period.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and 10 company-paid holidays.
• Ongoing opportunities for professional development and career growth.