Senior Controls Design Engineer

Engtal; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 105,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Engtal in Cincinnati, OH seeks a Senior Controls Design Engineer to own electrical design projects from customer specs through fabrication and testing.

The role emphasizes UL 508A compliance, component selection, and complete control-panel packages. Ideal candidates will work independently and mentor junior engineers while collaborating with customers and shop-floor teams.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of industrial electrical design or control-panel engineering experience.
• Proficient with complete electrical drawing packages and control panels.
• Knowledge of UL 508A, NEC, SCCR and industrial power distribution.
• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical; PLC/HMI hardware and VFDs.
• Ability to manage projects independently and mentor juniors.

Responsibilities

• Lead the electrical design of custom industrial control panels from concept to fabrication-ready documentation.
• Develop complete electrical drawing packages (schematics, layouts, wiring diagrams, terminal plans, BOMs).
• Interpret customer specs, P&IDs, I/O lists, and control narratives to create compliant designs.
• Select and specify PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, motor controls, power distribution components, and instrumentation.
• Ensure designs meet UL 508A, NEC, SCCR, and industrial electrical safety requirements.
• Collaborate with fabrication, purchasing, and engineering teams to resolve issues and support project execution.
• Support FAT, troubleshooting, and occasional field startup or commissioning activities.
• Provide technical guidance to junior designers and contribute to standards improvements.

Skills

Electrical design

Control-panel engineering

UL 508A

NEC compliance

PLC/HMI hardware

VFDs/motor controls

Allen-Bradley/Rockwell

Hazardous locations

Leadership/mentoring

Project autonomy

Education

Electrical Engineering degree or equivalent

PE license (a plus)

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

Job description

We're partnering with an established industrial controls and automation company in the Cincinnati area that specializes in the design and fabrication of custom industrial control panels and electrical systems for a variety of industrial applications.

They're looking to bring on a Senior Controls Design Engineer to take ownership of electrical design projects from initial customer specifications through fabrication and final testing.

This is a hands-on technical role with a strong emphasis on electrical design, component selection, UL compliance, and producing complete, buildable control-panel packages. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working independently, solving complex design challenges, and collaborating closely with customers, engineering, and shop-floor teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the electrical design of custom industrial control panels, taking projects from initial concepts through fabrication-ready documentation.
• Develop complete electrical drawing packages, including schematics, panel layouts, wiring diagrams, terminal plans, and BOMs.
• Interpret customer specifications, P&IDs, I/O lists, and control narratives to develop practical, compliant designs.
• Select and specify PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, motor controls, power distribution components, and instrumentation.
• Ensure designs meet applicable UL 508A, NEC, SCCR, and industrial electrical safety requirements.
• Work closely with fabrication, purchasing, and engineering teams to resolve technical challenges and support successful project execution.
• Support FAT, troubleshooting, and occasional field startup or commissioning activities.
• Provide technical guidance to junior designers and contribute to improvements in engineering standards and processes.

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of industrial electrical design or control-panel engineering experience.
• Strong background designing industrial control panels and creating complete electrical drawing packages.
• Working knowledge of UL 508A, NEC, SCCR, and industrial power distribution.
• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical or similar electrical CAD software.
• Familiarity with PLC/HMI hardware, VFDs, motor controls, and industrial electrical components.
• Ability to independently manage design projects and work directly with customers and internal teams.
• Experience within a control-panel shop, OEM, or systems integrator environment is highly desirable.
• Allen-Bradley/Rockwell experience is a plus.
• Experience with hazardous-location designs, UL 698A, or mentoring junior engineers is beneficial.
• Electrical Engineering degree or equivalent relevant experience preferred; PE license is a plus.
• $105,000-$130,000 base salary, depending on experience.
• Opportunity to take technical ownership of custom industrial control-panel projects.
• Work closely with an experienced engineering and fabrication team.
• Play a key role in improving design standards and mentoring developing engineers.
• On-site position in Cincinnati, OH, with project-related travel.