Senior Controls Engineer

Rippling; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

CS Erickson is seeking an experienced Senior Controls Engineer to lead design, development, and implementation of advanced control systems across electrical projects. You will shape automation solutions, ensure efficiency and safety, and guide a team of controls engineers.

You will design, code, and test control algorithms, integrate with PLCs and HMIs, document architectures, and communicate progress to stakeholders throughout project lifecycles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, or a related field or 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Extensive experience in designing and implementing control systems for electrical projects.
• Proficiency in PLC programming languages, HMI programming, and industrial communication protocols with the ability to program from scratch.
• Robot integration
• Provide technical insight and labor estimates to sales staff for business development opportunities
• Strong knowledge of control theory, feedback loops, and system dynamics.
• Previous experience in mentoring or leading junior engineers and a willingness to lead projects.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a track record of successfully resolving complex control system issues.
• In-depth understanding of electrical circuits, sensors, actuators, and automation technologies.
• Familiarity with relevant regulations, standards, and codes.
• Ability to conduct and implement an Automation Equipment Risk Assessment
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Exceptional communication skills for effective collaboration and technical presentations

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise and leadership in the design, development, and integration of complex control systems.
• Guide and mentor junior controls engineers, providing guidance, support, and knowledge sharing.
• Lead the design and architecture of control systems, considering project requirements, safety standards, and client needs.
• Develop innovative and effective control strategies to optimize system performance and efficiency.
• Design, code, and implement advanced control algorithms, logic, and software using PLC programming languages, HMI interfaces, and other relevant technologies.
• Integrate control systems with various electrical components, ensuring seamless communication and functionality.
• Develop comprehensive testing plans and methodologies to validate the functionality and performance of control systems.
• Conduct thorough testing, simulations, and troubleshooting to identify and resolve issues.
• Analyze control system performance data to identify opportunities for optimization, efficiency improvement, and energy savings.
• Collaborate with project teams to implement improvements and enhancements to existing control systems.
• Create detailed documentation, including system specifications, architecture diagrams, programming code, and technical reports.
• Provide clear and concise progress reports and technical updates to project stakeholders.
• Ensure that control systems adhere to industry safety standards, regulations, and electrical codes.
• Implement safety features and emergency protocols to ensure personnel and equipment safety.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including electrical engineers, project managers, and clients, to ensure successful project outcomes.
• Communicate technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

Control theory

Mentoring junior engineers

Project management

Electrical circuits knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Robot integration

Industrial communication protocols

Job description

CS Erickson is a growing electrical and technology contractor delivering complex, integrated solutions for clients across the country. With expertise spanning Electrical Construction and Service, AV Technology, Structured Cabling, Building Automation, Industrial Automation, and Electrical Engineering, we are expanding what is possible through integrated electrical and technology solutions.

Our people are central to that momentum. We invest in their growth, value initiative and ownership, and create opportunities for people to expand their skills and advance their careers. As CS Erickson continues to grow, we are looking for talented people who want to do meaningful work, make an impact, and be part of a company helping lead the industry forward.

About the role

CS Erickson Electrical Contractor is seeking an experienced and innovative Senior Controls Engineer to lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced control systems for a variety of electrical projects. As a Senior Controls Engineer, you will play a critical role in shaping the direction of our automation and control solutions, ensuring their efficiency, safety, and adherence to industry standards.

What you'll do

• Provide technical expertise and leadership in the design, development, and integration of complex control systems.
• Guide and mentor junior controls engineers, providing guidance, support, and knowledge sharing.
• Lead the design and architecture of control systems, considering project requirements, safety standards, and client needs.
• Develop innovative and effective control strategies to optimize system performance and efficiency.
• Design, code, and implement advanced control algorithms, logic, and software using PLC programming languages, HMI interfaces, and other relevant technologies.
• Integrate control systems with various electrical components, ensuring seamless communication and functionality.
• Develop comprehensive testing plans and methodologies to validate the functionality and performance of control systems.
• Conduct thorough testing, simulations, and troubleshooting to identify and resolve issues.
• Analyze control system performance data to identify opportunities for optimization, efficiency improvement, and energy savings.
• Collaborate with project teams to implement improvements and enhancements to existing control systems.
• Create detailed documentation, including system specifications, architecture diagrams, programming code, and technical reports.
• Provide clear and concise progress reports and technical updates to project stakeholders.
• Ensure that control systems adhere to industry safety standards, regulations, and electrical codes.
• Implement safety features and emergency protocols to ensure personnel and equipment safety.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including electrical engineers, project managers, and clients, to ensure successful project outcomes.
• Communicate technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, or a related field or 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Extensive experience in designing and implementing control systems for electrical projects.
• Proficiency in PLC programming languages, HMI programming, and industrial communication protocols with the ability to program from scratch.
• Robot integration
• Provide technical insight and labor estimates to sales staff for business development opportunities
• Strong knowledge of control theory, feedback loops, and system dynamics.
• Previous experience in mentoring or leading junior engineers and a willingness to lead projects.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a track record of successfully resolving complex control system issues.
• In-depth understanding of electrical circuits, sensors, actuators, and automation technologies.
• Familiarity with relevant regulations, standards, and codes.
• Ability to conduct and implement an Automation Equipment Risk Assessment
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Exceptional communication skills for effective collaboration and technical presentations

Preferred:

• Degree and 7+ Years experience
• Robot programming and/or simulation
• 2 years of applications or quoting experience

Winning Behaviors and Competencies

• Real-time Communication is key to success: We will communicate real-time to our team members and clients.
• Knowing our projects is key to success: Preplanning and continuous planning habits lead to success. We will preplan every project, every time, no exceptions.
• Responsiveness is key to our success: We will deliver on time on all commitments and approach every request with a sense of urgency. This is our differentiator.
• Accountability is key to our success: I have a clear understanding of what I am responsible for and will ensure I have enabled good routines and habits that ensure successful outcomes.
• We are professionals and will hold ourselves to the highest standards: The services and products we deliver will represent this belief. In return we will become role models for our youth, enhance our brand reputation and provide high value outcomes and exceptional experiences for our partners and clients.

CS Erickson is an equal opportunity employer

CS Erickson extends equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees regardless of an individual’s race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), disability, marital status, military service, height, weight, genetic information, or any other reason protected by law.

Assistance

CS Erickson is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. CS Erickson will not discriminate against any qualified individual who can perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.