Senior Controls Engineer

SSOE Group; Toledo (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Life insurance

401K

PTO & paid holidays

Job summary

SSOE Group is seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to support an expanding manufacturing client base. The role focuses on defining new control system requirements across plant processes and leading project teams.

Responsibilities include client interaction, high-level consulting, and mentoring junior staff while ensuring safety and compliance with standards. Travel 20–40% may be required.

Qualifications

• Engineering experience in manufacturing environments required – multiple industries preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering with 10+ years of experience.
• P.E. license preferred.
• Knowledge of project planning, cost estimating, and scheduling.
• Experience with DCS, PLC, HMI, MES, and SCADA systems.
• Strong communication skills.
• Willingness to travel 20–40% and work remotely when needed.
• Familiarity with relevant industry standards.
• Familiarity with CAPA, HAZOP, LOPA, PHA, SIL, and SIS assessments.
• Leadership and mentoring ability.
• Critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Valid driver’s license; international travel possible.

Responsibilities

• Take an active part in client contact and provides technical support to business development efforts.
• Provide high-level consulting services to clients.
• Define new control system requirements and project responsibilities.
• Prepare or supervise preparation of contract proposals by defining scope and providing estimates for engineering work.
• Become a trusted partner for stakeholders making critical design decisions.
• Coordinate areas of responsibility to SSOE teams, owner teams, vendors, and subconsultants.
• Delegate project work to appropriate departments and discipline leads; oversee multiple project teams and mentor staff.
• Plan, organize, supervise, and review the work of engineers and designers on the project.
• Anticipate process and design roadblocks and address issues early to avoid business impact.
• Navigate risk assessments and safety requirements for control systems.
• Evaluate safety issues and advance them into engineering, construction, and operations phases.
• Recognize failure modes and implement fail-safe concepts.
• Participate in company safety programs.
• Act as a mentor, coach, and resource for less experienced staff.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

P.E. license

Project planning

Cost estimating

Scheduling

DCS/PLC/HMI/MES/SCADA experience

Communication skills

Remote work capable

Willingness to travel

Industry standards familiarity

CAPA/HAZOP/LOPA/PHA/SIL/SIS knowledge

Leadership

Critical thinking

Driver's license

Travel 20-40%

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to support our growing Client base. Our Manufacturing business is expanding more than ever and there are many opportunities to grow and work with mature and newer manufacturing processes. SSOE’s manufacturing experience spans decades and more than 10 countries, working in almost every major industry on quite literally every aspect of plant and process development.

Why Join SSOE?

At SSOE, you'll work with amazing colleagues and be part of something big! We've consistently been named a “Great Place to Work” and are experiencing the most successful years in our history. Along with industry-leading salary compensation, you'll be eligible to purchase shares in the company — shares that have significantly outperformed both the S&P and Dow averages.

AI and Innovation

At SSOE, we don’t just talk about the future, we build it. As a leader in industry AI adoption, we empower our team to work smarter by providing responsible access to the industry leading AI Large Language Models, vibe-coding platforms, and securely integrating advanced tools into every role. From day one, you’ll receive the training and support needed to leverage AI as a core tool for enhancing productivity, sparking creativity, and streamlining complex workflows.

Responsibilities

A Typical Day Might Include:

• Take an active part in client contact and provides technical support to business development efforts.
• Participate in the provision of high-level consulting services to clients.
• Act as an owner’s representative to define new control system requirements and project responsibilities.
• Prepare or supervise preparation of contract proposals by defining scope and providing estimates for engineering work.
• Become a trusted partner for stakeholders making critical design decisions.
• Coordinate areas of responsibility to SSOE teams, owner teams, vendors, and subconsultants.
• Delegate project work to appropriate departments and discipline leads. Oversees multiple project teams while acting as a subject matter expert.
• Plan, organize, supervise, and review the work of a team of engineers and designers working on the same assigned project.
• Anticipate process and design roadblocks and proactively address issues prior to negative impact on business operations.
• Navigate the risk and hazard assessment process, hierarchy of protective measures, proper selection of mitigation techniques including mechanical safeguarding and electrical control system performance requirements for severity, frequency / exposure, and possibility / avoidance.
• Evaluate and advance machine / system / automation safety issues into the engineering phase and through to construction and operational phases.
• Recognize common failure modes, fail safe concepts for mechanical and electrical control systems.
• Participate in company safety programs.
• Acts as a mentor, coach, tutor and resource for less experienced staff.

Qualifications

Qualifications You’ll Need on Day One:

• Engineering experience in manufacturing environments required – multiple industry experience preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering and 10 or more years of related practical experience is required.
• P.E. license preferred.
• Knowledge of project planning, cost estimating, and scheduling.
• Ability to understand the organization's goals and objectives as well as detailed functional objectives as they apply to their work assignments.
• Experience with various DCS, PLC, HMI, MES, and SCADA systems from a business perspective. Ability to advise on costs, contribute to specifications, and assist with platform and vendor selections.
• Strong communication skills. Able to speak and write clearly and in a way that all stakeholders will understand.
• Ability to work and communicate remotely in an independent and team-oriented environment. Must be able to travel to client sites.
• Familiarity with standards (ANSI, CSA, IEC, ISA, ISO, NEC, NFPA, RIA) and OSHA regulations.
• Familiarity with processes and procedures for CAPA, HAZOP, LOPA, PHA, SIL, and SIS assessments.
• Leadership skills and ability to lead and influence others.
• Critical thinking and analysis skills.
• Valid driver's license required. May be waived for international assignments.
• Travel usually varies from 20% to 40% and may include international travel to Latin America or Canada.
• Salary Range: $110,000-$135,000/year depending on location, education, experience, and any certifications that are directly related to the position.
• Benefits include health, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, 401K, PTO & paid holidays.