Senior Controls Engineer

Specialty Tooling Systems, Inc.; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Education reimbursement

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

Specialty Tooling Systems, Inc. in Grand Rapids, Michigan is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced automation systems. This role requires 7+ years of controls engineering experience and expertise in Rockwell Automation and industrial robotics. The position offers a full-time contract with benefits including health insurance, 401(k) matching, and education reimbursement. The work environment involves regular interaction in a manufacturing setting, with potential travel up to 30% for large projects.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of controls engineering experience in automation or custom machinery.
• Strong experience with Rockwell Automation and industrial robotics.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead controls engineering efforts across the project lifecycle.
• Define controls architecture and make key technical decisions.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers.

Skills

Controls system expertise

PLC programming

Troubleshooting skills

Project management

Customer communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Rockwell Automation (Studio 5000 & FactoryTalk View)

AutoCAD Electrical

Job description

Senior Controls Engineer

Reports to Controls Engineering Manager. No supervisory responsibilities.

Senior Controls Engineer to lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced automation systems and custom machinery in a highly collaborative, high‑precision environment. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in controls systems and thrives in a fast‑paced, collaborative setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead controls engineering efforts across the full project lifecycle: concept development, design, build, validation, customer acceptance, and onsite commissioning.
• Act as technical lead on projects, guiding architecture decisions, standards, and best practices.
• Define controls architecture and make key technical decisions for assigned projects.
• Lead the design and development of complex control systems including PLCs, motion control, robotics, vision systems, and HMI/SCADA platforms.
• Program, integrate, and troubleshoot systems involving Rockwell Automation platforms, robotics, and advanced automation technologies.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with mechanical engineering, project management, and manufacturing teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Serve as primary technical point of contact for customers on controls‑related topics.
• Lead troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis for system performance, reliability, and quality issues.
• Identify project risks early and drive mitigation strategies in collaboration with project managers.
• Contribute to project estimating, concept development, and system architecture definition.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to controls standards, documentation, and development processes.
• Establish and enforce controls standards and best practices.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers through technical guidance, code reviews, and best‑practice sharing.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and industry best practices; apply knowledge to improve solutions and processes.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of controls engineering experience in automation or custom machinery.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical aspects of projects independently.
• Strong experience with Rockwell Automation (Studio 5000 & FactoryTalk View), industrial robotics (FANUC preferred), automated assembly systems and machine integration.
• Proven expertise in PLC programming, motion control, and system integration.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills in complex automated systems.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including customer‑facing experience.
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality on sensitive projects.
• Proficient in 2D electrical CAD (AutoCAD Electrical preferred).
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel as required.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field (or equivalent industry experience).
• Additional/advanced experience with Rockwell platforms (GuardLogix, ControlLogix, FactoryTalk View), robotics (FANUC, ABB, MOTOMAN), robotic simulation (Roboguide, Robot Studio, MotoSim, Process Simulate).
• Experience with additional platforms (Siemens, Omron).
• Supportive experience with AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, local LLMs) and custom (Python, VBA).
• Experience developing controls standards or leading continuous improvement initiatives.
• Mentoring or providing technical leadership to engineering teams.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Office setting within a manufacturing environment with regular interaction on the production floor.

Physical demands: ability to sit for extended periods, view detailed work at close range, manual dexterity for small components, lift up to 20 pounds.

Position Details

Full time. 0–30% travel may be required for domestic/international travel, air travel, and overnight stays up to two weeks for large projects.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Short‑term and long‑term disability.
• Company‑paid and voluntary life insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Education reimbursement.
• Paid vacation and holidays.
• Flexible spending accounts.

Other

This job description is not intended to be all‑inclusive; responsibilities may evolve based on business needs.

Equal Opportunity Employer

STS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. STS does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non‑disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.