Lead Electrical Controls Engineer

Liberty Personnel Services, Inc.; Irondale (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Liberty Personnel Services, Inc. is seeking a Lead Controls Engineer to guide design, programming, integration, commissioning, and support of complex automation systems.

The role leads projects from concept through deployment and mentors engineers and technicians across multidisciplinary teams. Candidates should have strong PLC/HMI development, system architecture, safety interlocks, and hardware/software standardization expertise.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Industrial Automation, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of controls programming or related industrial controls experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, multidisciplinary automation projects through design, programming, integration, and commissioning.
• Proven ability to manage both technical and operational aspects of large-scale controls projects.
• Strong experience with PLC, HMI, VFD, servo, robotics, or other industrial controls technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex controls system designs including electrical schematics, panel layouts, PLC programming, and HMI development.
• Develop and implement advanced automation solutions requiring strong design, integration, troubleshooting, and commissioning expertise.
• Lead system architecture discussions and support standardization of hardware and software.
• Validate and optimize system functionality through testing, simulation, and on-site commissioning.
• Coordinate project timelines, labor requirements, milestones, and technical deliverables.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI development

Electrical schematics

Panel layouts

VFD, servo, robotics

System integration

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC

Siemens PLC

Omron PLC

GE PLC

Job description

The Lead Controls Engineer serves as a technical leader responsible for the design, programming, integration, commissioning, and support of complex industrial automation and controls systems. This position leads technically challenging projects from initial design through deployment, provides technical guidance to Controls Engineers and Technicians, and works closely with multidisciplinary engineering and project teams to ensure successful project execution.

Primary Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Lead complex controls system designs, including electrical schematics, panel layouts, PLC programming, and HMI development.
• Develop and implement advanced automation solutions requiring strong design, integration, troubleshooting, and commissioning expertise.
• Lead system architecture discussions and support standardization of hardware and software.
• Validate and optimize system functionality through testing, simulation, and on-site commissioning.
• Take ownership of technically challenging designs involving multi-system integration, safety interlocks, legacy system upgrades, and large-scale automation strategies.
• Serve as the Lead Controls Engineer on key and technically complex projects, managing controls activities from design through deployment.
• Define controls scope, lead design reviews, and serve as the primary technical resource for controls-related decisions.
• Coordinate project timelines, labor requirements, milestones, and technical deliverables.
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve technical issues to keep projects on schedule.
• Coordinate closely with mechanical, electrical, applications, and other engineering disciplines to ensure proper system integration.
• Represent the controls function in project meetings and provide technical direction throughout the project lifecycle.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to Controls Engineers and Technicians.
• Review engineering work for technical accuracy, quality, and compliance with project requirements.
• Support employee development through knowledge sharing, coaching, training, and project feedback.
• Establish and promote engineering best practices, standards, templates, and design procedures.

Process Improvement

• Develop and maintain engineering standards, code libraries, design templates, and project checklists.
• Identify engineering inefficiencies and implement improvements to increase quality and reduce project cycle time.
• Research and evaluate new automation technologies, PLC platforms, industrial IoT solutions, diagnostic tools, and instrumentation.
• Support implementation of new technologies and provide technical guidance to engineering personnel.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure controls designs comply with applicable electrical codes, OSHA requirements, and established safety practices.
• Review safety-critical controls including safety PLC logic, emergency-stop systems, LOTO procedures, machine safeguarding, and risk assessments.
• Support hazard analyses and pre-startup safety reviews for automation systems.
• Stay current with applicable safety requirements and recommend improvements to controls engineering practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Industrial Automation, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of controls programming or related industrial controls experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, multidisciplinary automation projects through design, programming, integration, and commissioning.
• Proven ability to manage both technical and operational aspects of large-scale controls projects.
• Strong experience with PLC, HMI, VFD, servo, robotics, or other industrial controls technologies.
• Ability to read and understand electrical drawings and print sets.
• Experience designing and developing electrical prints preferred.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley, Omron, Siemens, GE, or other PLC platforms.
• Experience with HMI, VFD, servo, robotics, and/or vision programming.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple projects with minimal supervision.
• Willingness to travel to customer facilities as required.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Ability to pass required background and pre-employment screening.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand and work on your feet for extended periods.
• Ability to work safely around industrial equipment.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment.