Project Engineer

CORE Group; Salina (KS); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

CORE Group seeks a Project Engineer to lead industrial automation projects from design through commissioning. You will own electrical controls design, programming, and system validation across large-scale deployments. Travel to sites is expected to support startup and commissioning activities.

The role requires hands-on PLC/HMI work, NEC/UL508A awareness, and strong coordination skills to meet schedules and budgets in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• BS/BA in engineering or equivalent; design, bid, and project execution experience preferred.
• Able to read electrical drawings, specs, schedules, and scopes of work.
• Strong communication and time-management for multi-project environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, programming, testing, and commissioning of automation projects.
• Create BOMs, labor estimates, and project schedules from bid documents.
• Develop electrical schematics, control panel sizing, and layout designs.
• Configure and troubleshoot PLC/HMI programs and network devices.
• Coordinate engineering efforts across multiple engineers and sites.
• Support FAT and onsite commissioning; ensure on-time, within-budget delivery.

Skills

Electrical drawings interpretation

Project coordination

Technical leadership

Independent work in teams

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in engineering

Tools

PLC programming

HMI programming

Industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, Modbus)

UL508A experience

Job description

Project Engineer

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.