Electrical Controls Engineering Manager - Industrial Automation

Zen Sherpa LLC; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance options

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with 4% employer match

Paid time off

Disability insurance

Employee assistance program

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Zen Sherpa LLC in Lebanon, OR or Henderson, NV, is seeking an Electrical & Controls Engineering Manager to lead a 20+ person team in a hands-on leadership role. You will direct electrical distribution, motor controls, instrumentation, and automation systems, guiding PLC/SCADA/DCS modernization and safety initiatives.

You will drive capital projects from concept to commissioning, mentor engineers, and ensure compliance with NEC, NFPA, OSHA, ISA, and IEEE standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years in electrical engineering, industrial automation, or controls.
• Experience leading 15–20 engineers or more.
• Proven ability to lead engineers, establish accountability, and build consensus.
• Strong knowledge of MCCs, VFDs, instrumentation and electrical distribution.
• Hands-on PLC, HMI, SCADA, DCS, and industrial network experience.
• Leadership, mentoring, and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and manage an engineering team of 20+ professionals.
• Build an accountable engineering culture and set priorities.
• Coach and mentor engineering talent and drive performance.
• Provide technical leadership for electrical distribution and automation.
• Guide design, implementation, and modernization of PLC, HMI, SCADA, DCS systems.
• Review designs, drawings, specs, and documentation for projects.
• Lead capital projects from concept through commissioning.
• Troubleshoot complex electrical/control issues and drive root-cause analysis.
• Improve equipment reliability, system performance, and safety.
• Ensure NEC, NFPA, OSHA, ISA, and IEEE standards compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Electrical engineering

Industrial automation

PLC

HMI/SCADA

Project management

Team development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

PE license

Job description

Location: Lebanon, Oregon or Henderson, Nevada

Work Arrangement: On-site

Relocation: Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates

Search: Nationwide

Electrical & Controls Engineering Manager - Industrial Automation

A growing industrial manufacturer is seeking an experienced Electrical & Controls Engineering Manager to lead electrical, controls, automation, and instrumentation engineering.

This is a nationwide search. The position may be based in either Lebanon, Oregon or Henderson, Nevada, and relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.

This is a hands-on engineering leadership role for an experienced technical leader who combines deep knowledge of industrial electrical and control systems with a proven ability to lead engineers, projects, and modernization initiatives.

You’ll play a key role in improving reliability, modernizing electrical and control systems, developing engineering talent, and leading capital projects from concept through commissioning.

What You'll Do

• Lead, develop, and manage a team of 20+ engineering professionals, including experienced senior engineers and technical specialists


• Build a collaborative, accountable engineering culture while effectively leading professionals with varying levels of experience and technical expertise


• Coach, mentor, and develop engineering talent while setting clear expectations and priorities


• Provide technical leadership for electrical distribution, motor controls, instrumentation, and automation systems


• Guide the design, implementation, and modernization of PLC, HMI, SCADA, DCS, and industrial network systems


• Review and approve engineering designs, drawings, specifications, and technical documentation


• Lead capital and modernization projects from concept and design through installation and commissioning


• Troubleshoot complex electrical and control system issues and support root‑cause analysis


• Drive improvements in equipment reliability, system performance, and operational safety


• Ensure compliance with applicable NEC, NFPA, OSHA, ISA, and IEEE standards


• Coordinate with operations, maintenance, contractors, system integrators, and equipment suppliers


• Develop engineering standards and support continuous improvement and change‑management initiatives

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical field


• 8+ years of experience in electrical engineering, industrial automation, or control systems engineering


• Demonstrated success leading and developing a sizable engineering team or organization, ideally 15-20+ technical professionals


• Proven ability to lead highly experienced engineers and technical experts, establish accountability, build consensus, and earn the respect of a technically accomplished team


• Strong people‑management skills, including coaching, mentoring, performance management, team development, and organizational leadership


• Strong knowledge of industrial electrical systems, including MCCs, VFDs, instrumentation, and electrical distribution


• Hands‑on knowledge of PLC, HMI, SCADA, DCS, and industrial network architectures


• Experience leading engineering projects from design through installation and commissioning


• Strong troubleshooting, problem‑solving, communication, and project leadership skills

Preferred

• PE license


• Master’s degree in engineering, engineering management, or business


• Experience within industrial manufacturing or process industries


• PMP, automation, controls, or reliability‑related certification


• Experience with industrial cybersecurity and modern connected manufacturing technologies


• Experience leading electrical or controls modernization and reliability initiatives

Why This Role Stands Out

• Lead an accomplished team: Manage and develop an engineering organization of 20+ professionals, including experienced senior engineers and technical experts


• Make an organizational impact: Shape engineering culture, accountability, standards, talent development, and technical direction


• Stay technically engaged: Bring the technical credibility necessary to guide complex engineering decisions while empowering experienced engineers to own their areas of expertise


• Modernize the operation: Help drive controls upgrades, electrical modernization, reliability improvements, and capital investments


• Develop engineering talent: Mentor engineers, strengthen leadership capabilities, and build the team's long‑term technical depth


• Own major initiatives: Lead projects from concept and design through contractor coordination, installation, startup, and commissioning

Benefits

• Annual Base Salary + 10% annual performance bonus


• Medical insurance options
  
  
  
  • Traditional PPO with optional medical FSA
  
  
  • High Deductible Health Plan with HSA
  
  
  
  


• Dental insurance


• Vision insurance


• Dependent care FSA


• 401(k) with 4% employer match


• Paid time off


• Employer‑paid short‑term disability, long‑term disability, basic life, and AD&D


• Employee assistance program


• Optional voluntary life insurance


• Pet insurance


• Tuition reimbursement