Senior Controls Engineer

Henneman Engineering Inc.; Champaign (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/dental/vision

401(k) with discretionary match

Parental leave

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Henneman Engineering Inc. is seeking a Senior Electrical Controls Engineer in Champaign, IL. Lead the ITG Controls Department, manage project teams, and develop client relationships while delivering control system design, programming, and startup support for industrial facilities.

The ideal candidate brings 15+ years of controls experience, hands-on PLC/HMI/SCADA skills, and proficiency with Rockwell/Siemens platforms, AutoCAD, and related tools. Travel to client sites is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Automation Engineering or related field.
• 15+ years in industrial controls, automation, electrical engineering, or similar.
• Hands-on PLC programming, HMI development, SCADA, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with Allen‑Bradley/Rockwell and/or Siemens platforms.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD and AutoCAD Electrical for controls design.
• Ability to troubleshoot automation systems in live industrial environments.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work with clients and teams.
• Valid driver's license with travel to client sites (local/regional travel).

Responsibilities

• Lead ITG Controls Department, develop business, manage team and client relationships.
• Design, program, troubleshoot, modify, and support industrial automation systems.
• Develop PLC, HMI, SCADA, instrumentation, and control solutions for industrial applications.
• Program and troubleshoot Allen‑Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens and other platforms.
• Prepare electrical schematics, P&IDs, control narratives, and layouts using AutoCAD tools.
• Provide commissioning, startup support, and field troubleshooting at client sites.
• Write proposals, define scope, estimate costs, and manage billable time.
• Coordinate with clients, vendors, subcontractors, and internal teams throughout projects.
• Evaluate systems for improvements in safety, reliability, and performance.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Client development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Automation Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

AutoCAD Electrical

Allen-Bradley/Rockwell

Siemens

Studio 5000

RSLogix

FactoryTalk

TIA Portal

Ignition

Wonderware/AVEVA

Job description

Industrial Technology Group (ITG), a division of Henneman Engineering, provides comprehensive engineering solutions and consulting services for industrial clients across manufacturing, food and beverage, chemical processing, wastewater treatment, power generation, renewable fuels, and other process-driven environments. The ITG team supports clients through project management, process design, mechanical, electrical, chemical, controls, instrumentation, integration, and reliability engineering services.

ITG is seeking a Senior Electrical Controls Engineer. This is a senior leadership position for an engineer with 15+ years of controls experience who can combine technical expertise with project leadership, business/client development, and team building.

The ideal candidate will lead controls projects from concept through startup while developing new client relationships, maintaining and expanding client relationships, identifying talented engineers to join the team, and mentoring and developing team members.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the ITG Controls Department. Develop business, maintain current client relationships, and manage the team members.
• Design, program, troubleshoot, modify, and support industrial automation and control systems for client facilities.
• Develop PLC, HMI, SCADA, instrumentation, control panel, motor control, and process control solutions for industrial applications.
• Program, configure, and troubleshoot Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, and other automation platforms used in manufacturing and process environments.
• Prepare electrical schematics, control narratives, P&IDs, panel layouts, instrumentation documentation, and related design deliverables using AutoCAD and AutoCAD Electrical.
• Provide commissioning, startup, technical troubleshooting, and field support at client sites.
• Write proposals, define project scope, support cost estimates, track budgets, and manage billable project time.
• Coordinate with clients, vendors, subcontractors, agencies, and internal engineering teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Evaluate existing systems, recommend process improvements, and develop practical engineering solutions that improve safety, reliability, automation, and performance.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 15+ years of experience in industrial controls, automation, electrical engineering, or a closely related environment.
• Hands-on experience with PLC programming, HMI development, SCADA systems, and control system troubleshooting.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell and/or Siemens automation platforms.
• Experience using AutoCAD and AutoCAD Electrical for industrial electrical or controls design.
• Ability to troubleshoot automation systems in live industrial, manufacturing, utility, or process environments.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work directly with clients and internal engineering teams.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to client sites, primarily local and regional travel with minimal overnight travel expected.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or the ability to obtain professional licensure.
• Project management experience, including scope development, budgeting, scheduling, billable hour tracking, and client communication. Proposal writing, estimating, and client-facing consulting experience.
• Experience with Studio 5000, RSLogix, FactoryTalk, TIA Portal, Ignition, Wonderware/AVEVA, MES, industrial networking, servo systems, drives, and instrumentation.
• Experience in heavy manufacturing, food & beverage, chemical processing, wastewater treatment, energy, or renewable fuels.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary to be determined based on experience, licensure, technical expertise, and project management capability.

• Benefits package includes paid holidays, vacation, health/dental/vision, S/L disability, life insurance, 401(k) program with a discretionary employee match, and a parental leave policy. Relocation assistance may be available

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND TRAVEL

This position is based onsite at the Champaign, Illinois office. Engineers may travel to client facilities for meetings, troubleshooting, commissioning, and project support. Travel is primarily local or regional, with minimal overnight travel expected.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

Henneman Engineering is not currently hiring individuals for this position who now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Henneman Engineering is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations may be available for qualified individuals with disabilities during the application process and employment. Relocation assistance may be available.