Senior Controls Engineer

L2x Talent Solutions; Joliet (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

L2x Talent Solutions is hiring for a senior leadership role focused on industrial automation and control system design. You will define architectures, standards, and technical approaches, and oversee deliverables from internal and external teams to ensure robust, scalable solutions.

The role emphasizes on-site leadership across electrical control designs, PLC/HMI/SCADA development, and cross-discipline system integration with a focus on safety and reliability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Electrical/Mechatronics preferred).
• 8+ years in systems integrator, OEM or industrial automation environments.
• Experience managing automation projects from concept to completion.
• Experience programming PLCs (50% Allen-Bradley CL/Studio 5000, 50% Siemens/TIA Portal).
• Experience developing and validating HMI/SCADA applications.
• Experience designing electrical control systems including schematics, panels, wiring diagrams, and BOMs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior technical authority for design and implementation of automation systems.
• Establish control system architectures, engineering standards, and technical approaches for projects.
• Review and approve engineering deliverables from internal teams and partners.

Skills

Leadership

Engineering judgment

Systems integration

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley

Siemens

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)