Manager, Industrial Controls Engineering

Jobtailor; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Massachusetts seeks an experienced engineering leader to manage a team of 6–8 PLC R&D Controls Engineers, guiding day-to-day activities and setting technical direction across projects.

You will own PLC software milestones, lead prototyping, testing, and documentation, promoting best practices and driving AI-assisted programming and Digital Twins adoption.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant engineering field.
• Minimum 7 years in industrial automation, controls engineering, and people management.
• Hands-on expertise with Rockwell Automation PLC platforms and OT networking.
• Experience with HMI/SCADA development, preferably Ignition.
• Exposure to AI-assisted PLC code development and Digital Twins.
• Ability to balance hands-on technical work with leadership responsibilities.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Directly manage a team of 6–8 PLC R&D Controls Engineers, providing day‑to‑day guidance and technical direction.
• Own delivery of PLC software milestones across multiple projects and programs.
• Conduct regular 1:1s, performance reviews, goal setting, and career development planning.
• Communicate status, risks, and technical trade‑offs clearly to stakeholders.
• Lead prototyping, testing, validation, and documentation of new control system concepts and electrical designs.
• Ensure high‑quality, reliable, and maintainable PLC software design.
• Promote best practices in modular programming, version control, diagnostics, and documentation.
• Drive adoption of AI‑assisted programming, simulation, Digital Twins, and automated testing.
• Support troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis for complex or high‑impact issues.

Skills

Rockwell PLC

Motion Control

Safety PLC

OT Networking

Industrial Protocols

HMI/SCADA

Education

Bachelors or Masters in Electrical Engineering

Bachelors or Masters in Computer Engineering

Bachelors or Masters in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelors or Masters in Mechatronics

Bachelors or Masters in Automation Engineering

Tools

Inductive Automation Ignition

Job description

Responsibilities

• Directly manage a team of 6–8 PLC R&D Controls Engineers, providing day‑to‑day guidance and technical direction.
• Own delivery of PLC software milestones across multiple projects and programs.
• Conduct regular 1:1s, performance reviews, goal setting, and career development planning.
• Communicate status, risks, and technical trade‑offs clearly to stakeholders.
• Lead prototyping, testing, validation, and documentation of new control system concepts and electrical designs.
• Ensure high‑quality, reliable, and maintainable PLC software design.
• Promote best practices in modular programming, version control, diagnostics, and documentation.
• Drive adoption of AI‑assisted programming, simulation, Digital Twins, and automated testing.
• Support troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis for complex or high‑impact issues.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years in industrial automation, controls engineering, and people‑management responsibility.
• Hands‑on expertise with Rockwell Automation PLC platforms, Motion Control, Safety PLC Systems, OT networking, and industrial communication protocols.
• Experience with HMI/SCADA development, preferably Inductive Automation Ignition software.
• Exposure to AI‑assisted PLC code development, simulation tools, Digital Twins, and automated PLC testing.
• Ability to balance hands‑on technical work with people leadership responsibilities.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in PLC software development and industrial automation, with a strong focus on team leadership, project delivery, and effective communication. Proficient in managing complex engineering projects while promoting best practices in software design and development.