Lead Control Systems Engineer

Garmac Limited LLC; Manassas (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Garmac Limited LLC in Ohio/Northern Virginia is seeking a Lead Control Systems Engineer to design and deliver building automation and industrial control projects from concept through startup and commissioning. This hands‑on leadership role combines controls engineering, instrumentation and electrical design, software configuration, customer collaboration, and field execution.

The Lead Engineer will guide a small project team while remaining directly involved in engineering, testing,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, chemical, computer, or engineering technology.
• Three or more years of hands‑on controls engineering experience.
• Experience with PLC, DDC, DCS, or SCADA/HMI systems.
• Ability to lead technical work and communicate effectively with customers.
• Ability to read P&IDs and electrical schematics.
• Willingness to travel 20%–40%.
• Authorization to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead for project teams of ~2–5 engineers, assigning work and reviewing deliverables.
• Lead customer meetings, clarify requirements, and support estimates for hardware and engineering effort.
• Develop instrument lists from P&IDs and select instrumentation, control valves, actuators, and controls hardware.
• Prepare submittals, panel layouts, schematics, procurement packages, and vendor coordination.
• Design and configure HMI, DDC, PLC, DCS, or SCADA control applications and algorithms.
• Conduct design reviews, FAT/SAT, and field acceptance testing.
• Perform field startups, software installation, checks, calibration, and troubleshooting.
• Train customers on system operation and provide clear documentation.

Skills

Controls engineering

Team leadership

Client communication

P&ID reading

PLC/SCADA programming

Instrumentation selection

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, chemical, computer, or engineering technology

Tools

Rockwell FactoryTalk

RSLogix/Studio 5000

PlantPAx

AVEVA/Wonderware System Platform

Inductive Automation Ignition Perspective

Distech BACnet/LON

JCI Facility Explorer

Metasys

Tridium Niagara N4

SQL

VBA/Python scripting

Kepware OPC

ThinManager

VMware

Job description

Lead Control Systems Engineer

Full-Time | On-Site with 20%-40% travel | Ohio & Northern Virginia

Position Overview

We are seeking a Lead Control Systems Engineer to design and deliver building automation and industrial control projects from concept through startup and commissioning. This hands‑on technical leadership role combines controls engineering, instrumentation and electrical design, software configuration, customer collaboration, and field execution. The Lead Engineer will guide a small project team while remaining directly involved in engineering, testing, troubleshooting, and client support.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead for project teams of approximately two to five engineers, assigning work, reviewing deliverables, and supporting team development.
• Lead customer meetings, clarify technical requirements, maintain strong client relationships, and support estimates for hardware and engineering effort.
• Develop instrument lists from P&IDs and select instrumentation, control valves, actuators, and controls hardware.
• Prepare submittals, control panel layouts, electrical schematics, procurement packages, and documentation; coordinate with panel shops and vendors.
• Design and configure HMI screens and DDC, PLC, DCS, or SCADA control applications and algorithms.
• Conduct design reviews, internal factory acceptance testing, quality checks, customer demonstrations, and acceptance testing.
• Perform field startups, including software installation, point‑to‑point and loop checks, calibration, tuning, functional testing, troubleshooting, and field modifications.
• Train customers on system operation and provide clear technical documentation.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, chemical, computer, or engineering technology, or a closely related technical field.
• Three or more years of hands‑on controls engineering experience, including programming or configuration of PLC, DDC, DCS, or SCADA/HMI systems.
• Experience with at least one of the following platforms: Rockwell FactoryTalk, RSLogix/Studio 5000, or PlantPAx; AVEVA/Wonderware System Platform; Inductive Automation Ignition Perspective; or Distech BACnet/LON or ECY-Series controllers.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical work, coordinate project activities, and communicate effectively with customers and cross‑functional teams.
• Ability to read and develop P&IDs, control drawings, electrical schematics, and related engineering documentation.
• Ability to work from the assigned office and travel to client sites approximately 20% to 40% of the time.
• Authorization to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.

Preferred Experience

• Building automation, HVAC controls, central plant, mission‑critical, or data center systems.
• Sequences of operation, functional test plans, instrumentation selection, and control valve specification.
• Systems integration or project‑based consulting experience across multiple clients.
• Leadership of small engineering teams, customer meetings, FAT/SAT activities, startup, or commissioning.
• Control panel design, instrumentation and electrical design, and development of schematics.
• Experience with JCI Facility Explorer or Metasys, Tridium Niagara N4, SQL, VBA or Python scripting, Kepware OPC, ThinManager, or VMware.

Work Environment and Travel

This is a full-time, on‑site office position with regular travel to customer facilities for startup and commissioning activities. Candidates should be located within reasonable commuting distance of the assigned office or be prepared to relocate. Field assignments may include per diem, mileage reimbursement, and lodging support based on project needs.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Employee stock ownership opportunities
• Performance bonus eligibility
• Relocation assistance may be available

Equal Opportunity

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based on job‑related qualifications, merit, and business needs.