Senior Controls Engineer

Candidates With a Future; Dallas, Fort Worth (TX, TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Candidates With a Future in Dallas seeks a senior controls engineer to lead complex automation projects from design through onsite startup. You will own complete controls packages, solve integration challenges, and collaborate across engineering, operations, suppliers, and customers.

This role emphasizes hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs, Studio 5000, HMIs, drives, and robotics integration, plus strong documentation and safety compliance.

Qualifications

• 5–15 years of controls, electrical, or automation engineering experience in supporting complex machinery or manufacturing systems.
• Proven track record of greenfield automation projects from concept and design through installation, validation, commissioning, and production use.
• Hands-on experience with Allen‑Bradley PLCs, HMIs, drives, and motion‑control systems.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical for complete, accurate electrical documentation.
• Thorough knowledge of control‑panel design, electrical schematics, industrial networking, and machine‑safety systems.
• Experience integrating robotics and vision systems with PLC‑controlled equipment.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing technical priorities, and communicate clearly with technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel to customer or project locations for installation, troubleshooting, and commissioning as needed.

Responsibilities

• Develop, test, and troubleshoot PLC and HMI applications on Rockwell platforms.
• Lead field installation, commissioning, and ramp‑up activities.
• Create electrical control‑system designs including panels and networks.
• Select motors, servo systems, VFDs, sensors, actuators and related hardware.
• Integrate robots, vision systems, motion control, and conveyors into unified systems.
• Establish controls architecture for new equipment and production lines.
• Diagnose system‑level issues and implement durable corrective actions.
• Coordinate technical work with internal disciplines, customers, equipment suppliers, and subcontractors.
• Apply machine and electrical safety practices (UL 508A, NFPA 79, ISO 13849).

Skills

Rockwell Automation

Studio 5000

Allen-Bradley PLCs

HMI development

AutoCAD Electrical

Electrical schematics

Industrial networking

Machine safety

Robotics integration

Vision systems

Tools

Studio 5000

Allen-Bradley drives

Robotics tools

Job description

An established U.S. engineering and manufacturing organization is seeking a senior-level controls professional to lead complex automation projects from initial design through onsite startup. This position is intended for an engineer who can take ownership of complete controls packages, solve difficult system‑integration problems, and work effectively across engineering, operations, suppliers, and customers.

What You Will Do

• Develop, program, test, and troubleshoot sophisticated PLC and HMI applications using Rockwell Automation / Studio 5000 platforms.
• Lead field installation, system checkout, commissioning, and production ramp‑up activities.
• Create electrical control‑system designs, including panel layouts, power distribution, safety circuits, device selection, and network architecture.
• Select and size motors, servo systems, variable‑frequency drives, sensors, actuators, and related automation hardware.
• Integrate industrial robots, machine vision, motion control, tooling, conveyors, safety devices, and other production equipment into a unified system.
• Establish controls architecture for new equipment and production lines, including projects with limited existing standards or legacy designs.
• Diagnose system‑level issues, determine root causes, and implement durable corrective actions.
• Coordinate technical work with internal disciplines, customers, equipment suppliers, and subcontractors.
• Apply relevant machine and electrical safety practices, including UL 508A, NFPA 79, and ISO 13849 considerations.

Required Background

• Approximately 5-15 years of controls, electrical, or automation engineering experience supporting complex machinery or manufacturing systems.
• Demonstrated success carrying greenfield automation projects from concept and design through installation, validation, commissioning, and production use.
• Advanced hands‑on experience with Allen‑Bradley PLCs, HMIs, drives, and motion‑control systems.
• Strong proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical and the ability to produce complete, accurate electrical documentation.
• Thorough knowledge of control‑panel design, electrical schematics, industrial networking, and machine‑safety systems.
• Experience integrating robotics and vision systems with PLC‑controlled equipment.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing technical priorities, and communicate clearly with both technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel to customer or project locations for installation, troubleshooting, and commissioning as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with FANUC, ABB, KUKA, or comparable industrial robot platforms, including path teaching and cycle‑time improvement.
• Exposure to SCADA, manufacturing data collection, or higher‑level plant information systems.
• Experience mentoring engineers or serving as the controls lead for multidisciplinary projects.
• Familiarity with regulated, defense‑related, or other high‑compliance manufactur