Senior Controls, Automation & Integration Design Engineer

Proactive Technical Limited; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Proactive Technical Limited is looking for a Controls & Automation Lead Engineer in the United States. This pivotal role involves leading controls and automation design activities while developing engineering documentation. You will coordinate efforts across various engineering disciplines and support complex projects.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering and 5+ years of experience in OEM automation. Strong knowledge of PLCs and automated systems is essential. This remote position includes approximately 15% travel.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in OEM automation and controls engineering.
• Strong knowledge of integration in sortation or material handling environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead controls and automation design activities.
• Develop engineering documentation and system integration deliverables.
• Support projects through manufacturing, testing, and commissioning.

Skills

PLCs

HMIs

Industrial networks

Motion control systems

VFDs

Servo systems

Automation hardware

AutoCAD Electrical

3D CAD software (SolidWorks preferred)

Troubleshooting

Project management

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering

Job description

The employer specialises in the material handling, automation, and sortation systems industry and is recognised for delivering highly engineered, customer‑specific automation solutions. They are known for their innovative approach to system integration and their commitment to delivering high‑performance solutions for leading distribution and logistics operations. This position is an exciting opportunity for a Controls & Automation Lead Engineer to join their team.

Salary & Location

• $150,000 - $185,000
• United States (Remote)
• 15% travel

This role is based in the Engineering department and reports to the Engineering Manager. You will lead controls and automation design activities, develop engineering documentation and system integration deliverables, and support projects through manufacturing, testing, commissioning, and customer handover.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Lead Engineer for controls, automation, and integration activities on engineered-to-order projects.
• Develop sequences of operation, interface control documents, electrical schematics, control panel layouts, BOMs, and manufacturing routings.
• Integrate scanners, sensors, motors, VFDs, encoders, motion control devices, safety systems, and communication networks with WCS/WMS platforms.
• Coordinate with mechanical engineering, manufacturing, software development, project management, and field service teams.
• Support factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting activities.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior engineers and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 5+ years of experience in OEM automation, controls engineering, and system integration within sortation or material handling environments.
• Strong knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, motion control systems, VFDs, servo systems, and automation hardware.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical and 3D CAD software (SolidWorks preferred).
• Experience integrating OEM equipment with WCS/WMS platforms and high‑speed parcel/package sortation systems.
• Working knowledge of NFPA 70, NFPA 79, and familiarity with UL508A panel requirements.
• Strong troubleshooting, project management, and technical communication skills.

Benefits

• Lead complex, high‑profile automation and integration projects from concept through commissioning.
• Work with cutting‑edge sortation and material handling technologies.
• Gain exposure to a wide range of controls, automation, networking, and motion control systems.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams in a highly technical environment.
• Opportunity to influence engineering standards and mentor developing engineers.
• Limited travel requirement of approximately 15% or less.

Proactive Global is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. Proactive Global is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.