Senior Controls Engineer

BW Design Group; Overland Park (KS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Design Group in the United States seeks a Sr. Controls Engineer to design automation systems, develop specifications and drawings for advanced manufacturing lines.

You will work with a skilled team and directly support clients on capital projects, driving performance improvements and system robustness. Ideal candidates bring 5–7 years of related automation experience, strong AB PLC/HMI knowledge, and solid communication skills.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of automation experience in control systems design (HMI/SCADA/PLC).
• Experience with consumer products, life sciences, or beverage/food industries preferred.
• Proficiency with Allen‑Bradley PLCs, HMIs, and industrial networks.
• Familiarity with FactoryTalk, Wonderware, or similar suites is a plus.
• Strong client interaction and communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Design automation control systems and create project specs, drawings, and documentation for high-speed processes.
• Participate in software configuration, testing, commissioning, installation, and start-up phases.
• Lead project execution including SCADA design, PLC/HMI programming, and site start-up support.
• Maintain and grow solid client relationships throughout the project lifecycle.
• Troubleshoot packaging lines and industrial control systems across multiple projects.
• Able to manage multiple responsibilities with minimal supervision.

Skills

Automation experience

HMI/SCADA/PLC

Allen-Bradley PLCs

PanelView HMIs

Client interaction

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical/Mechanical/Chemical Engineering

Tools

PanelView/PanelViewPlus

Ethernet/IP

DeviceNet

DH+

Job description

Who You'll Work With

You will join one of our 45 offices in the US, be part of a committed team of over 1500 professionals, and work in teams and directly with our clients doing work that is shaping the world around us. You will be welcomed into a rapidly growing business and team and empowered to make an impact. You will be valued, cared for, and challenged on your path to becoming a world-class professional consultant and surrounded by leaders who are committed to creating an environment that enables you to realize your own success and fulfillment.

When you join Design Group as a Controls Engineer, you are joining a team that will challenge you and position you for growth. Design Group is widely known as an industry leader, recognized as a top system integrator, ranking #9 in the 2025 System Integrator Giants; as a Rockwell Platinum Integrator, the highest designation given to Rockwell partners; and as an Ignition Enterprise Premier Integrator. As a part of this team, you will learn from industry leading experts and may even have the chance to be an active participant in industry events like the Ignition Build-A-Thon which Design Group won in 2023! In this role, you will work with a team of industry experts to help the world’s leading companies solve their most difficult problems. You will join our Control System Integration Practice and partner with seasoned leaders, technical specialists, and subject matter experts to deliver the highest quality solutions to our clients with consistency and accuracy.

What You’ll Do

You’ll work individually and in teams to support capital projects and implement solutions for our clients. Together, you will help our clients make critical changes to improve their performance and realize their most important goals.

• Design automation control systems; develop project specifications, documentation, and drawings for a variety of high speed and other automated manufacturing processes
• Participate in various automation project phases including software configuration and testing, commissioning, installation, and start-up
• Assume accountability for complete project execution including team leadership, SCADA design, PLC and HMI programming, and site start-up support of integrated systems
• Maintain and grow solid client relationships
• Troubleshoot packaging lines, process systems, and software systems
• The ability to successfully execute multiple project responsibilities with minimal supervision
• Make an impact day-to-day with your skills and expertise, strengthening that relationship with our clients and team

What You’ll Bring

• A minimum of 5-7 years of related automation experience with HMI, SCADA, PLCs, and general control system design
• Packaging and process controls experience in the consumer products, life sciences, or beverage/brewery/food industries (preferred)
• Experience with Allen-Bradley (ControlLogix, CompactLogix, PLC5, SLC500) PLCs, PanelView/PanelviewPlus HMIs, Industrial Communication Networks (Ethernet, EthenetI/P, DeviceNet, DH+)
• Experience with FactoryTalk Suite, IntellutionSuite, Wonderware Suite, and VisualBasic/C#/Java (preferred)
• Engineering consulting experience (preferred)
• The ability to successfully interact with clients
• Solid skills at troubleshooting and performing in high intensity environments
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Superior analytical and problem-solving skills
• A willingness to travel for project requirements including installation and start-up activities, client and company sponsored meetings, trainings, industry related seminars, forums, and conventions
• A bachelor of science in electrical, mechanical, or chemical engineering, or a related degree (preferred)

Our culture and commitment to our people is what sets us apart. We foster an environment of mutual respect, integrity, and unconditional interest in the individual and collective success of our professionals. Our model and entrepreneurial mindset offer a rewarding, challenging, and highly flexible path. As a Sr. Controls Engineer, you will build a meaningful and fulfilling career with the support of professional development resources and mentorships including our First Year Experience program, Individual Development Plans, and Career Path resources and tools. You will be surrounded by exceptional talent who will support your development as both a world-class engineer and a highly effective leader.