Senior Controls & Automation Engineer

Polaris Automation, Inc.; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Health insurance (day 1)

401(k) with company match

Paid parental leave

Generous PTO & holidays

Remote-based flexibility

Job summary

Polaris Automation, Inc. seeks a Senior Controls & Automation Engineer to lead controls design, PLC/HMI development, and on-site execution for major manufacturing projects. You will mentor junior engineers and participate in kickoff meetings, design reviews, and commissioning.

This remote-based role requires on-site travel to client locations as needed for project success, with a focus on technical excellence and project leadership across the full lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Four-year college degree in electrical/controls engineering or related field.
• Minimum 8 years of related controls and automation engineering experience.
• Minimum 6 months of management or lead experience.
• Hands-on PLC ladder logic and HMI development experience.
• Strong ability to read and interpret client specifications and drawings.

Responsibilities

• Lead design review meetings with SMEs and project teams.
• Oversee fabrication of control panels for quality and accuracy.
• Generate and verify PLC ladder logic and HMI applications.
• Travel to customer sites for installation and commissioning support.
• Mentor junior Controls Engineers and Project Engineers.
• Support bids and proposals with technical input on scope and hours.
• Coordinate project closeout and solicit client feedback.

Skills

PLC ladder logic

HMI development

Read drawings

Project leadership

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley/Rockwell

Siemens

Job description

Full-Time | Hybrid | Must Be Located Within Easy Driving Distance of Central Ohio | 100% Employee-Owned

Do you thrive on solving the toughest controls challenges and leading a project from concept to startup?

At Polaris Automation, we’re looking for a Senior Controls & Automation Engineer to lead the technical execution of automation and controls projects for some of the world’s leading manufacturers. This is an opportunity to combine deep, hands‑on controls engineering expertise with project leadership, mentor the next generation of engineers, and see your designs come to life on the plant floor.

If you’re driven by technical excellence, enjoy being the person other engineers turn to with their toughest problems, and want a bigger seat at the table, this could be your next move.

Who We Are

Polaris Automation is a fast-growing, 100% employee‑owned smart manufacturing partner helping manufacturers improve quality, efficiency, productivity, and operational performance. We work with some of the world’s leading manufacturers to deliver advanced automation, controls, MES, batch, and digital transformation solutions.

As an employee‑owner, you’ll have a direct stake in our success and the opportunity to help shape the future of an expanding company.

The Opportunity

As a Senior Controls & Automation Engineer, you’ll serve as both a hands‑on technical expert and a project leader, taking ownership of controls design, PLC/HMI development, and on‑site execution for assigned projects.

You’ll be a go‑to technical resource for less experienced engineers, providing mentorship on design standards and best practices, while also stepping in at customer kickoffs, design reviews, and site commissioning to keep projects moving forward.

We’re looking for someone who takes pride in engineering excellence, thrives on solving complex technical problems, and enjoys seeing a project through from the first client meeting to final commissioning.

This position is remote‑based, with on‑site travel to client locations as needed for kickoff meetings, design reviews, and installation and commissioning support.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the senior technical resource on assigned projects, keeping schedules, scope, and deliverables on track
• Determine design and delivery schedules, key milestones, and meeting cadence, and make sure the whole team understands project scope
• Partner with engineers and the project team to accurately project hours and keep projects within bid
• Lead design review meetings with subject matter experts as needed
• Oversee fabrication of control panels to ensure quality and accuracy
• Communicate issues, delivery changes, and scope changes clearly to the project team and stakeholders
• Attend internal and customer kickoff meetings on assigned projects
• Interpret and apply client‑provided designs and specifications
• Generate and verify engineering design drawings, PLC ladder logic, and HMI applications
• Review team deliverables, including drawings, PLC code, HMI graphics, and documentation
• Travel to customer sites to lead installation and commissioning efforts
• Provide after‑hours project support on occasion
• Mentor Controls Engineers and Project Engineers on design standards, PLC/HMI best practices, and troubleshooting
• Support project bids and proposals with technical input on scope, design approach, and hours estimates
• Coordinate project closeout, including soliciting client feedback and ensuring every deliverable and milestone is met

What Success Looks Like

• Projects are engineered right the first time, on schedule, and within budget
• Less experienced engineers have a trusted technical mentor to turn to
• Clients see clean, well‑documented designs and smooth on‑site commissioning
• Issues are caught and communicated early, before they become project risks
• The project team trusts your technical judgment on the toughest problems

What You Bring

• Four‑year college degree, or equivalent experience, in electrical engineering, controls & automation engineering, or a related field
• Minimum 8 years of related controls & automation engineering experience and/or training
• Minimum 6 months of related management or lead experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Hands‑on expertise with PLC ladder logic and HMI application development
• Strong ability to read, interpret, and apply client specifications and drawings
• Clear, confident communication with clients, engineers, and project teams
• Comfort traveling to client plant floors for on‑site investigation and commissioning work

Bonus Points For

• Experience mentoring or leading less experienced engineers
• Familiarity with multiple PLC/HMI platforms (e.g., Allen‑Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens)
• Background supporting project bids and proposal development
• Experience with SCADA, MES, or batch control systems

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• 100% employee‑owned: we think and act like owners
• Real technical ownership over your projects from design through startup
• Mentor and shape the next generation of controls & automation engineers
• Supportive, low‑ego culture focused on getting it right, together
• Exposure to advanced automation, controls, and emerging manufacturing technologies
• Remote‑based flexibility, with purposeful on‑site travel for the projects that need you there
• Room to grow your technical and leadership career within a growing company
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (day 1)
• Company‑funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid parental leave
• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• Wellness programs and gym membership reimbursement
• Mental health and wellbeing benefits