Lead PLC Design Engineer

divcon; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

401K with Employer Match

Disability Coverage

Flexible PTO

Field-based Benefits

Job summary

Divcon in Dallas, TX, invites a Lead PLC Design Engineer to guide the design, documentation, and implementation of PLC-based control systems across multiple projects. You will mentor junior designers, drive best practices, and ensure adherence to NEC, NFPA, and UL 508A standards while coordinating with project teams.

You will develop control panel layouts, wiring diagrams, and network architectures, oversee BOMs and construction documents, and support commissioning and troubleshooting to deliver

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 NEC, NFPA, UL 508A codes.
• Demonstrated leadership, mentoring, or supervisory experience.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley platforms (ControlLogix, CompactLogix).

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational

Problem-Solving

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Controls Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD / AutoCAD Electrical

Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley

Revit

Bluebeam

Job description

About Us

Headquartered in Dallas, Texas,

Divcon delivers fully integrated automation solutions nationwide that optimize performance, energy efficiency, and reliability across HVAC, lighting, power monitoring, and mission‑critical systems. Leveraging advanced technologies – including Allen‑Bradley PLCs, Ignition SCADA, and Delta DDC systems – we combine deep technical expertise with field‑tested execution to deliver precise, scalable, and high‑performance solutions.

About The Role

The 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.
• Proven experience delivering complete control system design packages.
• 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.

Benefits & Total Rewards

• Opportunities for Growth
  Hands‑on training and career advancement in an exploding data‑center industry.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  We cover 100% of individual medical premiums and help offset the cost of family coverage.
• 401K with Employer Match
  Eligible after 90 days, with company matching to help you invest in your future.
• Disability Coverage
  Both short‑ and long‑term disability insurance provided at no cost to our employees.
• Flexible PTO
  Take time off when you need it, no accruing time necessary.
• Field‑Based Employee Benefits
  For eligible field‑based roles that require travel, Divcon covers all business travel expenses and provides a per diem, phone allowance, tools, and PPE at no cost. Eligible employees also receive paid training and additional reimbursable business expenses.