Lead PLC Design Engineer

Divcon Controls; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Divcon Controls is seeking a Lead PLC Design Engineer in Dallas, Texas, to provide technical leadership for PLC-based control systems. The successful candidate will guide engineering teams and ensure design consistency while mentoring junior engineers.

This role includes designing control panels, developing I/O architectures, and maintaining high-quality standards. The position requires strong communication, organizational skills, and a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.

Candidates should have 7+ years of experience in industrial automation and be proficient in AutoCAD.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in controls design, electrical design, or industrial automation.
• Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD or AutoCAD Electrical.
• Expert-level understanding of PLC-based control systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of PLC-based control systems.
• Coordinate with project teams to ensure successful execution.
• Perform QA/QC reviews of drawings and documentation.

Skills

PLC-based control systems

AutoCAD / AutoCAD Electrical

Leadership and mentoring

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or related field

Tools

Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley platforms

Revit

Bluebeam

Job description

Lead PLC Design Engineer provides technical leadership and oversight for the design, documentation, and implementation of PLC-based control systems across multiple projects. This role is responsible for guiding engineering teams, ensuring design consistency, and maintaining high standards of quality and execution.

Serving as a key liaison between engineering leadership and project teams, the Lead Engineer drives best practices, supports team development, and ensures alignment with company standards and project objectives. This position plays a critical role in advancing design capabilities, improving workflows, and delivering scalable, high-quality engineering solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Design & Project Execution

• Lead the design and development of PLC-based control systems, including control panel layouts, wiring diagrams, schematics, and network architectures.


• Develop complete PLC I/O architectures, point-to-point wiring diagrams, loop drawings, and device connection details.


• Design and document industrial control panels, including power distribution, grounding, component layout, and enclosure configuration.


• Develop system layouts using floor plans to integrate control panels, field devices, instrumentation, and network infrastructure.


• Engineer industrial network architectures, including Ethernet/IP layouts, switch configurations, device addressing, and communication structures.


• Translate mechanical, electrical, and process drawings into coordinated control system designs.


• Prepare and review submittals, bills of material (BOMs), device schedules, and construction documentation.

Project Coordination & Technical Leadership

• Assist management with workload planning, project assignments, and resource allocation.


• Identify skill gaps and support development of training plans to enhance team capabilities.


• Promote adoption of design standards, templates, and engineering best practices.


• Lead design efforts for assigned projects, ensuring alignment with scope, schedule, and technical requirements.


• Coordinate with Project Managers, engineers, programmers, panel shops, and field teams to ensure successful execution.


• Generate and respond to RFIs to resolve design clarifications.


• Identify and resolve design conflicts, missing information, and coordination issues across disciplines.


• Support commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting activities as needed.

Quality Standards & Continuous Improvement

• Perform and lead QA/QC reviews of drawings, submittals, and as-built documentation.


• Ensure compliance with company standards, CAD practices, and applicable codes (NEC, NFPA, UL 508A).


• Mentor and provide technical guidance to entry-level and junior designers/engineers.


• Contribute to development and refinement of design standards, templates, and workflows.


• Maintain organized project documentation, revisions, and design records throughout the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).


• Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD or AutoCAD Electrical.


• Expert-level understanding of PLC-based control systems, panel design, and industrial networks.


• Strong knowledge of applicable codes and standards (NEC, NFPA, UL 508A).


• Demonstrated leadership, mentoring, or supervisory experience.


• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Experience

• 7+ years of experience in controls design, electrical design, or industrial automation.


• Experience coordinating across disciplines and supporting project execution.


• Experience with commissioning, startup, or troubleshooting preferred.


• Experience with Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley platforms (ControlLogix, CompactLogix).


• Familiarity with Revit, Bluebeam, or other design/documentation tools.


• Experience with industrial or mission-critical systems (HVAC, chiller plants, process systems, data centers).

Physical Requirements

• Sit and/or stand for extended periods (typically 6-8 hours per day) while performing computer-based tasks and facility support tasks.


• Use hands and fingers to operate standard office equipment, including computers, keyboards, mice, telephones, scanners and printers.


• Occasionally stand, walk, bend, stoop, or reach to access filing cabinets, retrieve documents, or attend meetings.


• Lift, carry, push, or pull light objects and materials weighing up to 20-25 pounds (e.g., boxes of files or office supplies).


• Have sufficient vision (with or without correction) to read computer screens, printed documents, and small print; and sufficient hearing to communicate effectively by phone and in person.


• Work in a typical indoor office environment with moderate noise levels from office equipment, conversations, and occasional interruptions.