Launch Controls Engineer

Extol, Inc.; Zeeland, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid community impact

ESOP

Profit sharing

Employer paid dental, vision, life ins

Medical plan options with employer pay

Generous paid time off and holidays

Travel incentive

Job summary

Extol, Inc. is seeking an experienced Launch Controls Engineer to support the implementation and installation of custom automation equipment on customer production floors.

You will own projects from debugging through production launch, with opportunities to advance quickly across diverse projects, technologies, and customers while maintaining a balanced work life.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (computer or electrical) or equivalent training/experience.
• 5+ years of experience designing and debugging custom automation controls.
• Proven ability to write complex PLC programs (Allen-Bradley and/or Siemens).
• Travel to customer sites ~25% to 50% (1–5 day trips, weekends as exception).

Responsibilities

• Own machine controls from debug through customer installation and production ramp-up.
• Program, debug, and optimize PLC, motion, and electrical systems.
• Communicate effectively with customers and internal teams, building trust through professionalism and problem-solving.
• Thrive in fast-paced environments with exposure to a variety of machines and technologies.
• Work independently while collaborating with teammates and meeting timelines and budgets.

Skills

PLC programming

Allen-Bradley & Siemens

Motion systems

Robotics experience (Fanuc/ABB)

Troubleshooting & problem-solving

Customer communication

Independent work with teamwork

Travel readiness 25-50%

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering (computer or electrical) or equivalent

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Siemens PLCs

Fanuc robotics

ABB robotics

Job description

Are you an experienced controls engineer who thrives on solving complex problems and seeing your work come to life on customer production floors? Do you want to accelerate your career by gaining exposure to a wide variety of projects, technologies, and customers?

At Extol, we’re looking for a driven, hands-on Launch Controls Engineer to directly support the implementation and installation of custom automation equipment. This role is unique, giving you the chance to own projects from debug through production launch while still having a good work life balance. Because of the variety of projects and technologies you’ll encounter, this role provides a unique opportunity to advance your skills and experience more rapidly than in most engineering environments.

The Ideal Candidate

• Takes ownership of machine controls from debug through customer installation and production ramp-up.
• Excels at programming, debugging, and optimizing PLC, motion, and electrical systems.
• Communicate effectively with customers and internal teams, building trust through professionalism and problem-solving.
• Thrives in fast-paced situations with exposure to a wide variety of machines and technologies.
• Works independently with confidence, while still collaborating seamlessly with teammates.
• Adapts quickly, scales solutions appropriately, and maintains accountability to project timelines and budgets.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (computer or electrical) or equivalent training/experience.
• 5+ years of experience designing and debugging custom automation controls.
• Proven ability to write complex PLC programs (Allen-Bradley and/or Siemens).
• Hands-on experience with motion systems; robotics experience (Fanuc/ABB) preferred.
• Strong skills in troubleshooting, problem-solving, and risk assessment.
• Willingness and ability to travel ~25% to 50% to customer sites (typically 1-5 day trips, weekends would be exception based).

What We Offer:

• Paid Community Impact – Employer paid time off to volunteer and positively impact community (Significant Impact).
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)– employees gain ownership interest in the company.
• Profit Sharing– a portion of the company profits are distributed to employees each quarter the target profit level is reached.
• 100% Employer Paid Dental, Vision, Group Life Insurances, Short-term and Long-term Disability, and Employee Assistance Program
• Annual Employer H.S.A. Contributions and 3 Medical Insurance Plan Options (one of which is 100% employer paid!)
• Generous Paid Time Off– Vacation, sick time off, and nine paid holidays.
• Travel Incentive– Daily incentive pay for overnight stays
• In Addition– Voluntary Life Insurance Options, Pet Discount Program, Accident & Critical Illness plans, 401k, and Educational Reimbursement Program.

Extol is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law.

Compete in the marketplace while honoring and glorifying God.

Vision

Build an exceptional organization that is known as the world-class provider of solutions to customers' plastic product assembly challenges.