Senior Controls Engineer

MSI Express, INC; St. Charles (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401K Matching

Bonus Eligible

Job summary

MSI Express, INC in Illinois is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to lead design, implementation, and optimization of industrial automation systems across PLCs, HMIs, robotics, and motion control.

You will mentor engineers, drive new technologies, and collaborate with teams to ensure safety, quality, and efficiency. The role requires strong leadership and deep expertise in state-of-the-art automation.

In-person work with a full-time schedule and competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years in advanced controls roles in manufacturing with leadership experience.
• Expert knowledge of advanced control system design principles and modern automation technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and integration of advanced control systems for industrial automation.
• Oversee complex troubleshooting to improve process reliability and performance.
• Guide PLC/HMI/robot programming and collaborate with corporate engineering.
• Drive continuous improvement and adoption of breakthrough automation technologies.
• Establish documentation standards for control systems.

Skills

Control system design

PLC/HMI programming

Robotics systems

Project leadership

Communication skills

SCADA systems

AutoCAD

Mentoring

Education

Bachelors or Masters in Electrical/Automation

Tools

Allen-Bradley systems

Job description

Job Description:

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $100,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 401K Matching
• Bonus Eligible

Schedule:

• First Shift

Work Location: In person

ROLE PURPOSE/ POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Controls Engineer will lead the design, implementation, and optimization of sophisticated controls and automation systems, serving as a principal figure in advancing the company’s operational efficiency and technical capabilities. This role entails overseeing complex and critical industrial automation projects, including advanced PLCs, HMIs, robotics, motion control systems, and comprehensive process and discrete manufacturing environments. The Senior Controls Engineer is expected to provide strategic direction in the selection and deployment of automation technologies, mentor junior engineers, and drive innovation in controls engineering practices.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Advanced System Design and Strategic Integration:

• Lead the development and integration of advanced control systems for industrial automation, ensuring alignment with the company’s strategic objectives.
• Champion the deployment of cutting-edge control strategies and technologies to enhance operational efficiency and expand automation capabilities.

Complex Troubleshooting and Optimization:

• Oversee advanced troubleshooting efforts, providing expert guidance to resolve intricate system issues and improve process reliability and performance.
• Direct the optimization of control systems to achieve superior efficiency, quality, and safety standards.

Advanced Programming and Software Development Leadership:

• Guide the programming of PLCs, HMIs, robots, and other control devices, ensuring systems meet complex requirements.
• Lead collaboration efforts with the corporate engineering team on advanced programming and software development projects.

Strategic Collaboration and Continuous Improvement:

• Drive cross-functional collaboration to support strategic continuous improvement and automation initiatives.
• Lead the development and implementation of breakthrough automation technologies and practices.

Documentation Standardization and Compliance Leadership:

• Set standards for and oversee the creation and maintenance of comprehensive control system documentation, ensuring best practices in record-keeping and compliance.

Advanced Training and Mentorship:

• Develop and deliver advanced training programs for technical teams, enhancing their capabilities in control systems operation and maintenance.
• Mentor junior controls engineers and technical staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development.

Project Management Excellence:

• Provide senior leadership in managing controls-related projects, from conceptualization through to implementation, ensuring excellence in execution and adherence to strategic objectives.

Research, Innovation, and Technology Evaluation:

• Champion the evaluation and adoption of emerging technologies, leading research into advanced control and automation solutions aligned with industry trends.

QUALIFICATIONS/ CAPABILITY PROFILE

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, or a related field; or equivalent comprehensive work experience - Required
• 8+ years of experience in advanced controls engineering roles in manufacturing environments or with systems/machine integrators, including leadership experience - Preferred

Minimum Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Expert knowledge of advanced control system design principles and state-of-the-art industrial automation technologies - Required
• Excellent programming skills for sophisticated PLCs, HMIs, and robotics systems - Required
• Proven ability to lead complex engineering projects, from inception to completion, with a track record of innovation and success - Required
• Outstanding communication, interpersonal, and team leadership skills - Required
• Experience with advanced Allen Bradley control systems and a deep understanding of process controls, remote operations, and SCADA systems - Preferred
• High proficiency in AutoCAD and/or other system design software for advanced system design - Preferred
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop technical teams - Required

MSI Express is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.