Senior Controls Engineer

Wunderlich-Malec Engineering; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking engineering firm as a Senior Controls Engineer, where your expertise in automation solutions will lead innovative projects across diverse industries. You will be responsible for designing and implementing control systems, programming PLCs, and managing project execution while mentoring a talented team. This role offers the chance to work with cutting-edge technology and engage with clients to deliver tailored solutions. With a strong emphasis on career growth and employee ownership, this position promises a rewarding and dynamic work environment in the heart of Austin.

Benefits

401K Profit Sharing

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

Flexible Work Schedules

Mentoring and Training Opportunities

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in automation solutions across various industries.
• Strong knowledge of PLC, DCS, HMI, and SCADA systems.
• Proven leadership in project management and team guidance.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation projects from conceptualization to implementation.
• Develop control system architecture and programming.
• Oversee project management tasks and ensure profitability.

Skills

PLC Programming

DCS Systems

HMI/SCADA Platforms

Project Management

Technical Writing

Electrical Schematics Design

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical/Control Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Tools

Rockwell Automation

Siemens

Inductive Automation Ignition

Wonderware ArchestrA

Job description

Description

Wunderlich-Malec Engineering (WM) is a 100% employee-owned ESOP and one of the largest and most well-established engineering companies in the United States. When you join WM, you become part of a company that is:

• 100% employee-owned with 40+ years of industry history
• ENR (Engineering News Record) Top 500 firm
• Rated as a top System Integrator Giant

We have a Controls Engineer position available in Austin, TX. This person will be responsible for providing team leadership in delivering automation systems for a wide variety of industries.

This position requires demonstrated technical proficiency in implementing automation solutions with PLC, DCS, HMI, and SCADA platforms. The Senior Controls Engineer will interact directly with the customer and lead a team of Wunderlich-Malec engineers in identifying requirements, developing specifications, and implementing/testing/commissioning/qualifying automation solutions. This position is a leadership role within the business unit and requires strong problem-solving ability, well-balanced people skills, an aptitude for business efficiency, and an interest in creating partnerships. The Senior Controls Engineer demonstrates success by securing repeat work with both new and existing customers.

Major Responsibilities

• This position requires the ability to deliver innovative automation solutions and design standards either self-directedly or as a leader of a team. The candidate must have the ability to conceptualize, detail, and implement control systems for industrial processes and machinery that meet our customer's requirements. This involves the development of a control system architecture, selecting the components to be used, detailing schematic diagrams and system documentation, programming controllers (PLC, DCS), programming the process visualization (HMI/SCADA), developing databases for archiving/displaying historical system data, and implementing/commissioning the control system at the client's facility. Knowledge of controller programming languages such as Ladder, Sequential Function Chart, Structured Text, and others to achieve the desired results is required. Also, knowledge of standard programming languages such as VBA, .NET, and SQL for the development of HMI/SCADA systems is preferred.
• For larger systems, experience with industrial networking used to connect control system components and instrumentation is preferred. The Controls Engineer would design, detail, and implement a variety of fiber, wired, and wireless systems using industrial protocols (Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus, etc.).
• This position often requires project management responsibilities: developing project execution plans, work breakdown structures and budgets, task prioritization and scheduling, task ordering, time and financial tracking, early problem identification, conflict management/resolution, leading and supporting a team, and attending project status meetings. It includes overseeing daily operations of projects up to $1M and ensuring overall efficiency and profitability.
• The ideal candidate must have a diverse engineering skill set with the ability to work independently. Will act as technical lead on projects, guiding engineers and technicians. May also serve as both technical lead and Project Manager on smaller projects.

Minimum Requirements

Education

Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical/Control Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or Computer Science is required.

Experience

Greater than 10 years with capabilities in the following areas is preferred:

• Experience in industries such as Semiconductor, EV, Life Sciences, Building Automation, and Food and Beverage.
• In-depth understanding of PLC hardware/software platforms such as Rockwell Automation, Siemens, and Schneider.
• In-depth understanding of HMI/SCADA hardware/software platforms such as Inductive Automation Ignition, Wonderware ArchestrA System Platform, Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk View, and Siemens.
• Experience with DCS hardware/software platforms, including checkout, testing, startup, and commissioning.
• Experience in designing electrical schematics, including power distribution under 480VAC, control panels, and NEC references.
• Technical writing skills for project definitions, requirements, status reports, control sequences, procedures, scope of supply, RFI, customer correspondence, and code comments.
• Experience leading and mentoring engineers/technicians in control system solutions.
• Must have a valid driver's license and be able to travel up to approximately 25%.

Physical Demands & Working Environment

Includes seeing, color perception, hearing, clear speech, dexterity, driving, lifting, equipment mounting/dismounting, pushing, and pulling. Work environments include standard office, on-site, and diverse industrial settings, with frequent use of computers, fax, copy machines, and phones.

This position is based locally in the Austin, TX area.

Why WM?

• Gain experience with diverse clients, industries, and automation platforms.
• Mentoring and training opportunities.
• Career growth in technical and management tracks.
• Flexible work schedules.
• Benefits include 401K profit sharing with company match and Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

#LI-Hybrid

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For more information, review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.