Principal Control Engineer

raymondwestnorth; Washington; On-site; USD 81,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Raymond West is seeking a Principal Controls Engineer to join our Systems team. This role focuses on designing, implementing, and supporting automation solutions for material handling systems, including conveyors, sorters, robotics, and other automated equipment.

You will lead control strategy development, program PLCs (RSLogix, TIA Portal), create electrical schematics, and collaborate with mechanical and software engineers to ensure seamless integration, testing, and commissioning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field required.
• 3+ years of controls engineering experience, preferably in material handling or automation.
• Experience designing and debugging control systems for automated equipment.
• Strong PLC/HMI programming and industrial networking knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop control systems for automated material handling equipment.
• Program and troubleshoot PLCs (e.g., RSLogix, TIA Portal) and HMIs.
• Create electrical schematics and panel layouts using CAD tools.
• Collaborate with mechanical and software engineers for seamless integration.
• Develop testing plans for integrated systems and commissioning.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI development

Electrical schematics

Automation systems

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering

Tools

RSLogix

TIA Portal

CAD tools

Allen-Bradley

Job description

Raymond West is seeking a skilled and motivated Principal Controls Engineer to join our Systems team! The Control Engineer’s focus will be on designing, implementing, and supporting automation solutions for material handling systems. This role involves working with cross-functional teams to develop control strategies, program PLCs, and integrate hardware/software for conveyors, sorters, robotics, and other automated equipment. The Controls Engineer will lead development projects for the team to develop novel solutions for material handling.

Raymond West is committed to providing our customers with end-to-end warehouse solutions. We bring you our industry-leading expertise in lift trucks, racking, conveyor, dock and door, rentals, parts, and service. Our customers trust us to provide the right supply chain solutions and services to keep their business up and running.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Primary duties and responsibilities will vary with the specific position. Typical responsibilities are listed below. This list is not inclusive.

• Design and develop control systems for automated material handling equipment.
• Program and troubleshoot PLCs (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens), HMIs, and industrial networks.
• Create electrical schematics and panel layouts using CAD tools.
• Collaborate with mechanical and software engineers to ensure seamless system integration.
• Create testing plans for integrated systems to support commissioning
• Create standard work to support installation of controls
• Conduct system testing, commissioning, and support during installation and startup.
• Optimize system performance and reliability through data analysis and continuous improvement.
• Provide technical support and training to operations and maintenance teams.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards, codes, and best practices.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent Organizational Time Management skills
• Proficient in Microsoft office Suite and similar software
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Proficiency in PLC programming (e.g., RSLogix, TIA Portal) and HMI development.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (Ethernet/IP, Modbus, Profibus).
• Experience with VFDs, sensors, actuators, and safety systems.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently or in a team.
• Must be able to maintain effective working relationships with employees, Co-workers, and Managers in other departments
• Must be willing to work off-hours as specific needs dictate and willing to assume more responsibility as required
• Experience with warehouse automation, AS/RS systems, or robotics.
• Knowledge of SCADA systems and data acquisition.

Education/Experience:

Minimum Education and Experience: Determined by position

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in controls engineering, preferably in material handling or automation.

Travel Requirement:

• 50% (20 hours a week)
• Must be able to be insured by Raymond West.

Physical Requirements:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Position is non-Sedentary.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• The employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts.
• Position will be required to go onto job sites to perform duties where construction is underway.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• The position will require employees to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is occasionally required to smell.
• Position requires the employee to climb/balance/stoop/kneel/crouch and crawl
• The employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions and the risk of electrical shock.
• The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme cold; extreme heat; and vibration.
• The noise level in the work environment is sometimes loud.

Pay Range

• The salary range for this position is $81,000 - $140,000. The specific pay offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including but not limited to the candidate’s relevant experience, education, and work location.

Qualified candidates must be able to pass a pre-employment physical and drug screen.

Raymond West provides medical, dental, vision, 401k with company match, flexible spending accounts, disability insurance, life insurance, personal time off, holiday pay and a great team to work with!

Check us out at www.raymondwest.com. Raymond West has a great group of loyal and hardworking employees who help us maintain our exemplary level of sales and service.

Apply on-line via the submit resume button provided. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage all qualified people to apply. We encourage qualified military veterans and persons with disabilities to submit their resume online. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with the FCO. We are a drug free company. This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.