Senior Controls Engineer

L2x Talent Solutions; Joliet (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

L2x Talent Solutions seeks a Technical Leadership & Engineering Authority to guide industrial automation projects in Joliet, IL. You will define control architectures, review deliverables, and lead PLC/HMI/SCADA development across vendor teams, with on-site commissioning and risk management.

This senior role demands 8+ years in automation, deep electrical design experience, and a proven ability to align technical work with business outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years experience in systems integration or industrial automation.
• Experience managing projects end-to-end, from concept to completion.
• Ability to troubleshoot and program PLCs and HMI/SCADA.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior technical authority for automation designs.
• Lead control system architecture and engineering standards.
• Review and validate engineering deliverables.
• Lead design of electrical control systems and compliance.
• Architect PLC software and HMI/SCADA validation.
• Lead on-site commissioning and issue resolution.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary system integration.
• Contribute to project planning, risk assessment, and pricing input.
• Maintain safety standards and professional practice.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA development

Electrical schematics

System integration

Project leadership

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley ControlLogix/Studio 5000

Siemens TIA Portal

AutoCAD Electrical

Job description

Technical Leadership & Engineering Authority

• Serve as the senior technical authority for the design and implementation of industrial automation and control systems.


• Establish control system architectures, engineering standards, and technical approaches for assigned projects.


• Apply advanced engineering judgment to evaluate design alternatives, manage technical risk, and resolve complex system constraints.


• Review, approve, and validate engineering deliverables produced by internal teams and external partners.

Control System Design

• Lead the design of electrical control systems in compliance with applicable codes and standards (e.g., NFPA 70, UL 508A).


• Develop and approve control schematics, wiring designs, panel layouts, and bills of materials.


• Provide engineering oversight of panel manufacturing activities to ensure designs are implemented as intended.

Automation Software Architecture & Development

• Architect and develop PLC software solutions using platforms such as Allen-Bradley and Siemens.


• Define structured programming standards, reusable libraries, and system interfaces to support scalability and long-term maintainability.


• Lead the configuration and validation of HMI/SCADA systems to support safe and efficient operation.

Drives, Motion, and Control Theory Application

• Engineer advanced motion control and variable frequency drive (VFD) solutions aligned with system performance requirements.


• Apply control theory principles to tune, optimize, and validate system behavior.


• Specify and approve drive, motion, and control components based on application demands and lifecycle considerations.


• Lead system integration activities, coordinating electrical, mechanical, and process engineering disciplines.


• Direct on-site commissioning activities with a focus on engineering verification, performance validation, and technical issue resolution, rather than routine installation or production labor.


• Diagnose complex system issues and implement corrective engineering solutions.


• Ensure technical documentation and knowledge transfer meet project and customer requirements.

Strategic, Commercial & Project Contribution

• Act as a senior technical stakeholder in project planning, execution strategy, and risk assessment.


• Provide engineering input into project pricing, scope definition, and margin management decisions.


• Identify opportunities for standardization, modularization, and scalable solution development.


• Monitor technical progress against project objectives and proactively communicate risks, assumptions, and required scope adjustments.

Safety & Professional Practice

• Ensure engineering designs and field activities comply with applicable safety standards and internal policies.


• Lead or contribute to Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) and Pre-Task Planning from an engineering risk perspective.


• Maintain required professional training and certifications relevant to industrial automation environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering; Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology or related field


• 8+ years of experience working within a systems integrator, OEM Machine builder, custom automation integrator, industrial controls, industrial equipment, automation, drive systems, etc.. based setting


• Ability to manage integration/automation projects from concept through to completion


• Experience managing projects including programming, electrical design, customer communication and project execution


• Ability to troubleshoot and program PLC’s (50% Allen-Bradley ControlLogix/Studio 5000, 50% Siemens/TIA Portal)


• Ability to troubleshoot and develop HMI/SCADA applications (Allen Bradley and Siemens)


• Experience designing electrical control systems including electrical schematics, control panels, wiring diagrams, and BOMs (AutoCAD Electrical)