Senior Controls Engineer

TAIT Towers; Lititz (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision

HSA with employer contributions

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation and 12 holidays

Parental leave

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness stipend

Job summary

TAIT, a world leader in live entertainment technology, seeks a Senior Controls Engineer to design, program, and commission advanced automation and show-control systems for large-scale productions.

You will own controls architecture, PLC programming (AB, Siemens, Beckhoff), and drive project execution from concept through FAT/SAT and handover. Mentoring engineers and collaborating across mechanical, electrical, and creative teams are essential in this role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years in controls engineering / industrial automation.
• Hands-on PLC programming: Ladder Logic, Structured Text, FBD, SFC.
• HMI/SCADA: FactoryTalk, Ignition, WinCC, etc.
• Experience leading projects through commissioning and delivery.
• System integration, commissioning, and troubleshooting.
• Industrial protocols: EtherNet/IP, Modbus, Profinet, OPC-UA.
• Travel 15–20%; passport for international travel.
• Motion control experience: servo drives, closed-loop, robotics.
• Large/distributed control systems experience.
• Functional safety: ISO 13849, IEC 62061, ISO 12100, TÜV.
• Beckhoff TwinCAT, Siemens TIA Portal, AB Studio 5000 familiarity.
• Live entertainment/show control experience.
• Exposure to TAIT Navigator or similar platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead control system architecture design for distributed automation.
• Program PLCs and HMI/SCADA interfaces.
• Manage full project lifecycle: design → integration → commissioning → handover.
• Lead commissioning, FAT/SAT testing, on-site startup.
• Troubleshoot and optimize system performance.
• Perform functional safety analyses.
• Create and review control narratives, I/O lists, tests.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, AVL, PMs.
• Represent TAIT with customers, ensuring quality delivery.

Skills

Controls engineering

Industrial automation

Project leadership

Troubleshooting

Safety analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent experience

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC

Siemens PLC

Beckhoff TwinCAT

TIA Portal

FactoryTalk / HMI

Ignition / WinCC

Job description

TAIT partners with artists, brands, IP holders and place makers to bring culture-defining, never-before-seen experiences to life.With a legacy of innovation spanning over 45 years, TAIT has grown from pioneering in rock ‘n’ roll concert staging to setting the global standard for extraordinary live events and experiences through cutting-edge technology, precision engineering, and creative design. TAIT’s 20 global offices have developed iconic productions and experiences in over 30 countries, all seven continents, and even outer space for renowned performers, theme parks, exhibits, and venues across the globe, including partnerships with Taylor Swift, Cirque Du Soleil, Royal Opera House, Nike, NASA, Bloomberg, Google, Beyoncé, and The Olympics

Position Purpose:

TAIT is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to lead the design, development, and commissioning of advanced automation, motion control, and show control systems for large-scale live entertainment and themed environments.

As a senior team member, you will take ownership of controls system architecture, PLC programming, and project execution , while mentoring engineers and driving engineering standards. You will work across the full project lifecycle—from concept and design through manufacturing, integration, commissioning (FAT/SAT), and client handover .

This role is ideal for someone with deep experience in industrial automation, distributed control systems, and motion control who enjoys solving complex, multidisciplinary engineering challenges.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Lead the design of control system architectures for complex, distributed automation systems

• Develop and program PLCs (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff) and advanced HMI/SCADA interfaces

• Own full project lifecycle execution: design → integration → commissioning → handover

• Perform and guide system commissioning, FAT/SAT testing, and on-site startup

• Conduct advanced troubleshooting, debugging, and performance optimization

• Lead functional safety analysis and risk assessments (ISO 12100, IEC 62061, ISO 13849)

• Create and review technical documentation (control narratives, FDS, I/O lists, test procedures)

• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership across projects

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (mechanical, electrical, AVL, creative, PMs)

• Represent TAIT in customer-facing environments, ensuring high-quality delivery

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technical Theater, or equivalent experience

• 7+ years of experience in controls engineering / industrial automation

• Strong hands-on experience with:

• PLC programming (Ladder Logic, Structured Text, Function Block, SFC)

• HMI/SCADA systems (FactoryTalk, Ignition, WinCC, etc.)

• Proven experience leading or owning projects through commissioning and delivery

• Experience with system integration, commissioning, and troubleshooting

• Strong understanding of industrial communication protocols (EtherNet/IP, Modbus, Profinet, OPC-UA)

• Expected Travel: 15-20%. Must be able to acquire passport for international travel.

• Experience with motion control systems (servo drives, closed-loop control, robotics)

• Experience withlarge-scale or distributed control systems

• Strong knowledge offunctional safety standards (ISO 13849, IEC 62061, ISO 12100, TÜV)

• Familiarity withBeckhoff TwinCAT, Siemens TIA Portal, Allen-Bradley Studio 5000

• Experience inlive entertainment, theme parks, ride systems, or show control

• Exposure toTAIT Navigator or similar show control platforms preferred

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While the role does not require regular lifting or physical exertion, it frequently requires working in a shop or construction environment, and will frequently require the employee to walk, bend, climb, push, pull, twist, squat, stoop, and kneel.

Work conditions of the role are:

• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time.

• Work conditions may involve moderate exposure to unusual elements such as dirt, dust, fumes, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.

• Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks which require following basic safety precautions.

• Must be able to wear and properly utilize appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to work within or visit areas where required. This includes safety glasses, reflective vest, ear plugs, safety toed shoes, and other PPE as required by the location.

• Must be able to view and complete project work on a computer monitor or equipment screens for extended periods of time.

TAIT Benefits:

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans

• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contributions (HDHP plans)

• Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical & Dependent Care)

• Employer-paid life insurance with optional supplemental coverage

• Employer-paid Short-term with optional long-term disability insurance

• 401(k) retirement plan with company match

• Paid parental leave

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Wellness stipends

• Voluntary benefits (e.g., accident, critical illness)

• Paid vacation and 12 holidays

TAIT is an equal opportunity employer fully committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran or any other protected characteristic as outlined by international, national, state, or local laws.