Lead Controls Engineer

Precision Drive & Control, Inc.; San Diego (IL, CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Lead Controls Engineer to drive innovation through the development of cutting-edge technology solutions. This role involves hands-on support across software and hardware, ensuring the implementation of best practices in complex system architectures. The ideal candidate will be a subject matter expert in automation and controls, with a strong focus on collaboration and continuous improvement. Join a dynamic team where your expertise will directly contribute to the success of various projects, enhancing client satisfaction and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of controls engineering design experience required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead internal application development to identify effective solutions.
• Deploy innovative control system designs and upgrades.

Skills

Controls Engineering

Project Management

Problem Solving

Communication Skills

Technical Mentorship

Education

BS Degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

PLC

HMI

Motion Control

AutoCAD-Electrical

Job description

Description

Job Summary: The Lead Controls Engineer will serve as a technical authority, advancing PDC’s innovation strategy through the development of industry-leading technology solutions, the design and implementation of best practices, and hands-on support across software, hardware, complex system architectures, and integrated applications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Commitment to PDC corporate values, strategies, and goals/objectives, to drive a 1-PDC culture of safety, customer service, quality, profitability, growth, and a merit shop philosophy
• Subject matter expert among market relevant solution platforms, best engineering practices, and emergent technology among key vendors’ hardware, software, and systems
• Automation expert for key stakeholders among clients, vendors, commercial partners, all PDC Divisions’ functions and their projects’ scope
• Coordinate and lead internal PDC application development to drive effective problem statement identification, innovative solution sets, and value-add technical designs that meet client’s project scope, quality, price, performance requirements, and constraints
• Deploy innovative and reliable control system designs and upgrades via systematic methods of testing, troubleshooting, resolution, documentation, and validation
• Drives continuous improvement via technical mentorship and development of relevant standard operating procedures, practices, processes, and methods
• Field engineering duties, as needed to include system start up and commissioning, troubleshooting, acceptance, and site leadership
• Define and document control systems designs, requirements, test plans, and results
• Client proposal development support among solutions, equipment, costing, and schedule
• Supply Chain collaboration and support
• PDC Sales collaboration and support
• Other duties as assigned

Working Conditions:

• The employee occasionally works in proximity to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, sources of electrical shock, or in high or precarious places
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may be loud in manufacturing environments
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds while moving equipment, components, or subassemblies
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus
• Varying schedules & occasional extended hours for site work

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• BS Degree in Electrical Engineering, or related field and equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of controls engineering design experience
• Thorough knowledge of industry relevant technology, regulations, trends, and practices: PLC, HMI, Motion Control, Networking, Safety Systems, Vision Systems, Data Collection
• Familiarity with specification and design documents
• Project management experience
• Ability to make independent judgments to formulate, initiate, and administer effective technical solutions.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills; ability to communicate professionally at all levels internally and externally
• Ability and willingness to support and mentor others
• Excellent problem solving and math skills
• Possess a valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10+ years of automation/controls/engineering design experience
• Experience in the design of industrial plants and warehouses, central chilled water and heating plants, water pumping stations, wastewater treatment plants, food and dairy plants along with manufacturing and CIP processes
• Working knowledge to interpret regional and international code requirements such as NEC, NFPA, CSA, CE, IEC, etc.
• Knowledge and experience among key industry providers: Rockwell, Siemens, Ignition, AutoCAD-Electrical
• Ability to operate interfaces, design controls, write technical control write-ups for automation projects, and train customers