Lead Industrial Controls Engineer

ST Engineering MRAS; Middle River (MD); On-site; USD 101,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage

Health Flexible Spending Accounts

Free On-site Gym

Immediate 401(k) vesting

Educational Assistance

Life Insurance

Paid Time off

Job summary

ST Engineering MRAS in Middle River, Maryland, seeks an experienced Industrial Controls Engineer to oversee complex manufacturing automation systems. The role entails establishing technical standards, managing external vendors, and developing PLC logic across various platforms. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, significant experience in controls engineering, and a strong understanding of robotic systems. The position offers a salary range between $101,000 and $140,000, with comprehensive benefits including medical coverage, 401(k), and educational assistance.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of industrial controls engineering experience.
• Experience leading Factory Acceptance Tests and Site Acceptance Tests.
• Hands-on mechanical and electrical experience.

Responsibilities

• Establish site‑level controls standards.
• Serve as internal technical authority over automation integrators.
• Author controls‑specific Statements of Work.

Skills

Industrial controls engineering

PLC programming

Robotic systems

Control system architecture

Safety PLC systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Siemens TIA Portal

Rockwell

FANUC

ABB

KUKA

Job description

Job Summary

You will serve as the site technical authority for industrial control systems within one of the most complex and diverse manufacturing automation environments in the commercial aerospace aerostructures industry. You will help establish and grow a critical capability supporting production, capital projects, and advanced manufacturing initiatives. You will own controls architecture, lead and evaluate external automation integrators and machine builders, drive capital equipment specification and acceptance, and sustain the performance of automated systems across multiple aircraft programs. In parallel, you will lead internal controls development efforts with the same level of technical rigor.

What You Will Do

• Establish site‑level controls standards covering architecture, safety philosophy, platform prioritization, naming conventions, diagnostics, and version control.
• Serve as the internal technical authority over external automation integrators and machine builders, directing controls scope, challenging vendor architecture, and protecting procurement outcomes.
• Author controls‑specific Statements of Work and define FAT and SAT acceptance criteria for new automation capital acquisitions.
• Own the controls scope from User Requirements Specification through FAT, through SAT, to production handover.
• Develop and own PLC logic, motion programs, and control system architecture across facility systems spanning Siemens TIA Portal, Rockwell, FANUC, ABB, KUKA, and other platforms.
• Configure, program, and support industrial robotic systems including multi‑axis robotic cells, coordinated robot‑to‑PLC interfaces, and vision‑guided robotic applications.
• Design, implement, and validate safety PLC systems and machine risk reduction strategies in accordance with ISO 13849 and IEC 62061.
• Develop and support HMI systems across multiple platforms and configure industrial network architectures including Profinet, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, and OPC‑UA.
• Lead the design and development of internally built controls and automation systems including next‑generation manufacturing technology programs currently in active development.
• Provide senior‑level technical escalation support for production‑critical systems operating under program rate, quality, and uptime requirements.
• Develop the controls knowledge and capability of the broader automation team through applied collaboration.

What You Must Bring to Succeed

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field with a minimum of five years of industrial controls engineering experience at a machine builder, systems integrator, or advanced automated manufacturing facility producing complex machinery. An equivalent combination of education and hands‑on industrial controls experience is required.
• Experience authoring controls‑specific Statements of Work or technical acceptance criteria for capital equipment procurement.
• Direct experience leading or participating in Factory Acceptance Tests and Site Acceptance Tests with external vendors or machine builders.
• Demonstrated experience programming, commissioning, or supporting industrial robotic systems including robot‑to‑PLC integration, coordinated motion, and vision‑guided applications.
• Hands‑on mechanical and electrical experience on the machines you have programmed and commissioned; the ability to trace a fault across controls, electrical, and mechanical domains simultaneously is a baseline requirement.

Export Control Requirement

This position involves access to export‑controlled technology which requires U.S. Person status or government authorization. A U.S. Person includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, individuals lawfully admitted for permanent residence (green card holders), and individuals granted asylum or refugee status. To be considered for this position, you must be a U.S. Person or have a legally recognized export control exception or authorization. If hired, you will be required to provide valid proof of such status.

Desired Characteristics

• Experience in aerospace, automotive, semiconductor, or other high‑reliability regulated manufacturing environments.
• Hands‑on experience with robotic assembly cells, large‑format gantry automation, multi‑axis coordinated motion systems, or automated fiber placement equipment.
• Vision systems integration at the controls and network level including vision‑guided robotics or inline inspection systems.
• HMI and SCADA development experience in WinCC, FactoryTalk, Ignition, or equivalent platforms.
• Experience establishing controls engineering standards at a site or program level.
• Familiarity with data acquisition architecture, OPC‑UA implementation, or machine‑to‑system communication in a production environment.
• Demonstrated ownership of complex automated systems from design and build through commissioning and into sustained production.

Salary and Benefits

Estimated salary range for this role: $101,000 to $140,000 per year.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage starting from start date.
• Health Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Free On‑site Gym with weekly fitness classes.
• Immediate 401(k) vesting.
• Educational Assistance.
• Life Insurance.
• Paid Time off (Permissive for exempt staff).

EEO and Accommodation Statement

ST Engineering is deeply committed to building a workplace community where inclusion is valued, and everyone feels welcomed. We 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 legally protected grounds.

ST Engineering is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the employment application process. To request an accommodation, please contact our Talent Strategies team at 571‑771‑0101 or by email at [e-mail].