Lead Controls Engineer - Industrial Automation

Integrated Production Systems, Inc; Arlington (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K matching

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Life insurance

Career development

Job summary

IPS Custom Automation in Arlington, TX is seeking a Controls Engineer I–III to independently lead complex automation projects for DoW programs. You will design, integrate, commission, and improve industrial control systems while meeting ISO standards and customer requirements.

The role includes design reviews, cross-team collaboration, and mentoring junior engineers. Candidates must have relevant electrical/automation degrees or equivalent experience, and willingness to obtain a USG security

Qualifications

• Proficiency with PLC/Safety PLC, HMI/SCADA, and industrial networks.
• Must understand design reviews, interfaces across engineering teams, and cybersecurity considerations.
• Experience with control panels, schematics, and BOMs using AutoCAD Electrical.

Responsibilities

• Define Controls Engineering scope, estimates, and schedules; own work packages.
• Develop hardware-agnostic controls solutions for safety, quality, and reliability.
• Lead controls design reviews and communicate architecture and risks.
• Coordinate interfaces with Mechanical, Electrical, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, and Field Service.
• Translate requirements into controls specifications, narratives, and tests.
• Design and validate PLC, HMI/SCADA, motion control, and networks across scopes.
• Maintain project records and support ECR/ECO/ECN processes.
• Lead improvements to controls workflows aligned with ISO 9001 and continuous improvement.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA

Industrial networks

Motion control

VFDs/Servos

Instrumentation

Machine safety

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's Degree in Controls/Automation

High school diploma with 12+ years experience

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

MS Office

PowerPoint

Job description

Why join the IPS Team?

IPS Custom Automation is a leading provider of advanced manufacturing solutions for the defense and energetics industries. We specialize in the design, engineering, and integration of turnkey production lines for energetics materials and munitions. Our solutions serve government agencies, military contractors, and defense OEMs worldwide.

Who Our New Team Member Will Be:

We are seeking a Controls Engineer (I, II or III level) who can independently lead complex automation and controls work supporting commercial and U.S. Department of War (DoW) programs. This role applies broad technical experience to design, integrate, commission, and improve industrial control systems while meeting ISO standards, federal regulations, company policies, and customer requirements. The Controls Engineer III serves as a senior technical contributor, leads defined project scopes, reviews the work of other engineers, and mentors less experienced team members.

What Our Controls Engineer I, II or III will do:

Essential Job Functions/Duties

· Works with the Controls Engineering Manager and project leadership to define Controls Engineering scope, develop estimates and schedules, own assigned work packages, and track commitments through completion

· Develops hardware-agnostic controls solutions that support machine safety, functionality, cycle time, quality, maintainability, cybersecurity, reliability, and total installed cost

· Leads controls design reviews for assigned systems and clearly communicates architecture, sequence of operations, design rationale, risks, trade-offs, and recommendations

· Works with Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, and Field Service to coordinate interfaces, component selection, procurement, assembly, testing, and installation

· Analyzes customer, process, safety, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, network, and cybersecurity requirements and converts them into complete controls specifications, functional descriptions, and test criteria

· Applies and improves controls architecture, programming standards, reusable software, code-review practices, simulation methods, and engineering tools

· Designs, programs, integrates, and validates PLC and safety PLC systems, HMI and SCADA applications, motion control, VFD and servo systems, industrial networks, instrumentation, machine vision, robotics, and data interfaces appropriate to the assigned scope

· Maintains accurate project records and supports controls-related Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), and Engineering Change Notices (ECNs)

· Leads targeted improvements to controls workflows in alignment with ISO 9001, configuration management, functional safety, validation, and continuous-improvement principles

· Creates and updates electrical and controls deliverables using AutoCAD Electrical or equivalent tools, including control panel schematics, network drawings, I/O lists, bills of material, cable schedules, and installation details; maintains revisions in the Product Data Management (PDM) system

· Creates and updates Operations and Maintenance (O&M) content for controls systems, including sequences, alarm descriptions, backup and restore procedures, troubleshooting guidance, and recommended spare parts

· Leads panel checkout, software integration, FAT, SAT, commissioning, startup, and production support for assigned systems; diagnoses and resolves complex controls issues

· Provides technical direction, reviews software and drawings, mentors junior engineers, and ensures assigned deliverables meet design intent, project requirements, and applicable standards

· Performs other job duties as assigned and deemed appropriate by management

· Travels as required

· Has the ability to obtain and maintain a USG security clearance

Minimum Qualifications

· Controls Engineer I:

o Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related discipline with at least 2 years of controls design, programming, integration, and commissioning experience OR

o High school diploma or equivalent with at least 5 years of progressive industrial controls design, programming, integration, and commissioning experience

· Controls Engineer II:

o Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related discipline with at least 3 years of controls design, programming, integration, and commissioning experience OR

o High school diploma or equivalent with at least 8 years of progressive industrial controls design, programming, integration, and commissioning experience

· Controls Engineer III:

o Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related discipline with at least 5 years of controls design, programming, integration, and commissioning experience OR

o High school diploma or equivalent with at least 12 years of progressive industrial controls design, programming, integration, and commissioning experience

· Technical Skills:

o Proficiency in MS Office products (Word, Outlook, Teams), specifically Excel and PowerPoint

o Demonstrated ability to manage the scope, schedule, budget, risk, and technical execution of assigned controls work packages

o Advanced proficiency with PLC and safety PLC programming, HMI and SCADA development, industrial networks, motion control, VFDs, servos, instrumentation, machine safety, and systematic troubleshooting

o Ability to create and interpret control panel schematics, network architecture drawings, I/O lists, bills of material, cable schedules, panel layouts, and field installation documentation using AutoCAD Electrical or equivalent tools

o Working knowledge of configuration control and Engineering Change Management processes (ECR/ECO/ECN)

o Working knowledge of NFPA 70, NFPA 79, UL 508A, and machine-safety practices; familiarity with ISO 13849, IEC 62061, or IEC 61508 as applicable

o Experience leading software simulation, I/O checkout, FAT, SAT, commissioning, validation, and root-cause analysis using disciplined test and issue-tracking methods

o Ability to create clear technical documentation, including controls narratives, functional descriptions, software design documents, test procedures, O&M manuals, training materials, and engineering reports

· Cultural Fit:

o Technical ownership, sound judgment, and willingness to mentor others

o Ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences, both verbally and in written format (i.e., delivering presentations)

o Proven ability to review work and mentor less experienced engineers

o Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams

o High attention to detail

o Ability to solve problems and identify solutions

o Curiosity and Lifelong Learning: A desire to continually learn and explore new approaches and technologies

o Desire for Continuous Improvement: Actively seek opportunities for process improvement, driving change in the organization

Preferred Qualifications

· Experience with major controls platforms such as Rockwell Automation, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Beckhoff, Mitsubishi Electric, Omron, ABB, Emerson, or Honeywell, with the ability to select and support solutions based on project requirements rather than a single vendor ecosystem

· Experience with industrial communications and integration technologies such as EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, EtherCAT, Modbus TCP, OPC UA, MQTT, SQL, historians, MES, and plant or enterprise data interfaces

· Experience with defense, energetics, hazardous-location, robotic, high-speed automation, or other highly regulated manufacturing systems, including secure remote support and controlled software deployment

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

· Environment is neutral with low to moderate noise exposure, is semi-seated position requiring the extended use of a computer and computer equipment

· The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, reach, lift with arms and hands (25 lbs or less), climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

Our team gains more than just compensation with IPS:

· 401K with company match

· Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

· PTO

· Life and Accidental Death Insurance

· Development and Career Growth Opportunities

Please contact:

Human Resources at [e-mail]

Interview Plan: Initial Teams meeting with HR or Hiring Manager (shared screen with no AI assistance required) followed by small in person panel interview. Other interviews may be required as needed.

Equal Employment Opportunity

IPS and all SONIN, LLC affiliates are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives and experiences are valued. We are proud to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

We believe that diverse experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds contribute to innovation and help us solve real-world problems.

Reasonable Accommodation

IPS is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the employment application process. Applicants who require an accommodation may contact the Human Resources Team at [e-mail].