Senior Controls Engineer

NextPlay Jobs; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 48,216 - 68,880; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation and holidays

Company-sponsored technical training

Job summary

NextPlay Jobs in Grand Rapids, MI seeks a Senior Controls Engineer to own design, programming, and commissioning of PLC/HMI/robotic systems across diverse automation projects.

You will mentor junior engineers, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and drive standardization while supporting customer startup activities. Strong communication and traveling 20–30% are expected.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of Controls Engineering experience in custom machinery, industrial automation, or systems integration.
• Strong experience programming Allen-Bradley PLCs using Studio 5000.
• Experience with FactoryTalk View and HMI development.
• Industrial robotics experience, preferably FANUC.
• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical and electrical hardware design.
• Experience leading machine startup and commissioning activities.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, and customer-facing skills.
• Ability to travel approximately 20-30% as needed.
• Authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Lead controls engineering efforts on custom automation and machine integration projects.
• Design, program, test, and commission PLC, HMI, and robotic control systems.
• Develop electrical hardware designs and documentation using AutoCAD Electrical.
• Troubleshoot complex automation systems during assembly, startup, and customer installation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to deliver complete automation solutions.
• Support customer commissioning activities and provide technical expertise during project execution.
• Mentor junior Controls Engineers and provide technical guidance.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and engineering standardization.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI development

Robotics deployment

Electrical design

Troubleshooting

Customer-facing

Travel flexibility

Tools

Studio 5000

FactoryTalk View

AutoCAD Electrical

FANUC robotics

Job description

Our client, an established engineering company in the Grand Rapids area, is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to join its growing engineering team. This role is ideal for an experienced controls professional who enjoys owning projects from design through customer startup while mentoring junior engineers and solving complex automation challenges.

You’ll work on a wide variety of custom automation systems utilizing PLCs, robotics, HMIs, motion control, and electrical design across diverse manufacturing applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead controls engineering efforts on custom automation and machine integration projects.
• Design, program, test, and commission PLC, HMI, and robotic control systems.
• Develop electrical hardware designs and documentation using AutoCAD Electrical.
• Troubleshoot complex automation systems during assembly, startup, and customer installation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to deliver complete automation solutions.
• Support customer commissioning activities and provide technical expertise during project execution.
• Mentor junior Controls Engineers and provide technical guidance.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and engineering standardization.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of Controls Engineering experience in custom machinery, industrial automation, or systems integration.
• Strong experience programming Allen-Bradley PLCs using Studio 5000.
• Experience with FactoryTalk View and HMI development.
• Industrial robotics experience, preferably FANUC.
• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical and electrical hardware design.
• Experience leading machine startup and commissioning activities.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, and customer-facing skills.
• Ability to travel approximately 20-30% as needed.
• Authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ABB and/or KUKA robotics.
• Experience with motion control, vision systems, servo systems, and automated assembly.
• Experience mentoring engineers or leading technical project work.
• $35-$50/hour
• Overtime paid at 1.5x after 40 hours
• Double time for Sundays and holidays
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Company-sponsored technical training
• Excellent long-term advancement opportunities into technical leadership or engineering management