Project Engineer

Core Group Resources; Salina (KS); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Core Group Resources is seeking a Project Engineer to lead the design, programming, execution, and commissioning of industrial automation and control projects. The role includes owning technical design from start to finish, with hands-on PLC/HMI programming, electrical controls design, and system commissioning.

You will coordinate engineering activities on large-scale projects, validate drawings and programs, and support FAT and onsite commissioning while maintaining schedules and budgets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in engineering/technical discipline.
• Minimum of 2 years of controls engineering experience.
• Ability to read electrical drawings, specs, diagrams, and schedules.
• Capable of independent work within multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong organization, prioritization, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Produce BOMs, labor estimates, and take-offs from bid documents.
• Lead project kickoff and clarify scope, schedule, and deliverables.
• Develop and maintain design documentation and control manifests.
• Communicate requirements to engineers and vendors.
• Verify designs, drawings, programs, and FAT/submittals.
• Configure electrical schematics, sizing, and SCCR calculations.
• Lead onsite startup and commissioning activities.
• Coordinate engineering efforts across multiple engineers.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

Electrical controls

Industrial networks

System commissioning

Project coordination

Leadership

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or technical field

Tools

AutoCAD

SCADA

EtherNet/IP

Modbus

PROFINET

VFD configuration

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled Project Engineer to lead the design, programming, execution, and commissioning of industrial automation and control system projects. This pivotal role involves taking technical ownership from initial design through testing, startup, and final commissioning, ensuring seamless project delivery. The ideal candidate will possess hands-on experience with PLC/HMI programming, electrical controls design, industrial networks, and system commissioning, along with the ability to coordinate engineering activities across large-scale projects. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated professional to contribute to complex automation initiatives and advance their career in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Produce technical take-offs, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and labor estimates based on project bid documents.
• Participate in project kickoff meetings to understand scope, schedule, technical requirements, and engineering deliverables.
• Review and interpret project scopes of work, identifying technical requirements or areas needing clarification.
• Develop and maintain project design documentation and controls manifests.
• Communicate technical requirements and engineering priorities to supporting engineers.
• Verify electrical designs, drawings, programs, emulation, and other engineering deliverables against project requirements.
• Develop electrical schematics and perform power and control circuit sizing, circuit loading calculations, SCCR calculations, control panel thermal calculations, and layout designs.
• Work in accordance with NEC (NFPA 70), UL508A, and applicable electrical standards.
• Conduct electrical drawing quality-control reviews and support document revision and submittal processes.
• Develop and troubleshoot PLC and HMI programs, including data structures, system-control logic, monitoring functions, and status displays.
• Configure VFDs, motor-control devices, network devices, and other industrial automation hardware.
• Configure and troubleshoot industrial communication networks and protocols such as EtherNet/IP, Modbus, PROFIBUS, and PROFINET.
• Debug, test, and validate control systems during factory testing and field startup.
• Develop checkout and validation documentation for Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and onsite commissioning.
• Support and lead onsite system startup and commissioning activities.
• Coordinate engineering efforts for larger projects involving multiple engineers.
• Verify drawings, programs, HMI screens, documentation, and Bills of Materials before final project delivery.
• Review and verify as-built project documentation.
• Communicate directly with customers, vendors, project managers, and other technical stakeholders.
• Track engineering schedules, project tasks, and labor budgets to ensure timely and within budget project completion.
• Provide technical leadership and delegate engineering activities as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or technical school, or equivalent combination of education, training, and professional experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of controls engineering experience.
• Strong understanding of industrial electrical and controls systems.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, technical specifications, diagrams, project schedules, and scopes of work.
• Capable of working independently and effectively within multidisciplinary project teams.
• Excellent organization, prioritization, communication, and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
• Willingness and ability to travel to customer and project sites.

Preferred Qualifications

• PLC hardware configuration and programming.
• HMI programming and development.
• Industrial automation and control-system design.
• Experience with conveyor, material-handling, or similar industrial systems.
• VFDs and motor-control systems expertise.
• Familiarity with EtherNet/IP, Modbus, PROFIBUS, and PROFINET protocols.
• Experience with UL508A industrial control panels.
• Factory Acceptance Testing and system commissioning experience.

This role offers a blend of office-based engineering and hands-on fieldwork. Travel is required based on project schedules, and during startup and commissioning, extended shifts, evenings, and weekends may be necessary to meet deadlines. Candidates should be comfortable working in active industrial environments, including working at heights, with electrical equipment, and in varying weather conditions.

If you are ready to take on challenging projects and make a significant impact.