Senior Controls Engineer III

Strategic HR Client Job Openings; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

KPI Solutions is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer III to design, program, and commission advanced automation across customer environments. This role offers remote-work flexibility when not traveling and requires travel approximately 50% nationwide.

You will lead projects from design through FAT, SAT, installation, and startup, mentor junior engineers, and ensure solutions meet customer requirements and industry standards while collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in controls engineering for automation and warehouse systems.
• Advanced hands-on PLC/HMI programming, ladder logic development.
• Experience leading system design, commissioning, and project implementation.
• Strong knowledge of electrical standards, motor controls, and controls architecture.
• Customer-facing communication skills and ability to represent KPI Solutions on site; travel ~50%.

Responsibilities

• Develop PLC and HMI programs for automated material handling and warehouse systems.
• Configure, test, and commission hardware and software for new controls systems.
• Lead controls project execution from design through FAT, SAT, installation, and startup.
• Resolve controls issues during installation and startup.
• Create and maintain electrical schematics, I/O lists, and technical documentation.
• Partner with project managers, mechanical engineers, software teams, and customers to deliver projects.
• Provide technical leadership and mentor less experienced engineers.
• Ensure solutions meet customer requirements, applicable standards, and project schedules.

Skills

PLC/HMI programming

Project leadership

Electrical standards knowledge

Customer-facing communication

Education

Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or related field

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC

Siemens PLC

AutoCAD Electrical / EPLAN

SCADA systems

Job description

Job Opportunity: Senior Controls Engineer III with KPI Solutions

Remote when not traveling | Approximately 50% nationwide travelSenior-Level Role | Systems IntegrationPermanent U.S. work authorization is required. Employer sponsorship is not currently available.

Ready to do more than maintain someone else’s controls system? KPI Solutions is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer who can program, implement, and commission sophisticated automation solutions across varied customer environments.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

Why This Opportunity Stands OutAs a systems integrator, KPI Solutions gives engineers exposure to multiple technologies, automation platforms, conveyors, robotics, and customer environments. You will help deliver new solutions rather than remain limited to one facility, one process, or one technology stack.

What You Will Do

• Develop PLC and HMI programs for automated material handling and warehouse systems.
• Configure, test, and commission hardware and software for new controls systems.
• Lead controls project execution from design through Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), installation, and startup.
• Resolve controls issues during installation and startup.
• Create and maintain electrical schematics, I/O lists, and technical documentation.
• Partner with project managers, mechanical engineers, software teams, and customers to deliver projects.
• Provide technical leadership and mentor less experienced engineers.
• Ensure solutions meet customer requirements, applicable standards, and project schedules.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years in controls engineering for automation, material handling, warehouse systems, or a closely related environment.
• Advanced, hands‑on Allen-Bradley and/or Siemens PLC/HMI programming, including
  original ladder logic development.
• Experience leading system design, commissioning, and project implementation.
• Strong knowledge of electrical standards, motor controls, hardware/software configuration, and controls architecture.
• Customer-facing communication skills and sound judgment to represent KPI Solutions professionally on site.
• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 50% nationwide.
• Permanent U.S. work authorization without current or future sponsorship.

Preferred Experience

• Warehouse automation, distribution center, conveyor, or sortation systems.
• Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), motion control, and servo systems.
• SCADA systems and industrial networking.
• AutoCAD Electrical or EPLAN.
• Robotics integration and vision systems.

Location and Travel

This position is fully remote when the engineer is not traveling. Travel is domestic and nationwide and should be expected approximately 50% of the time.

What Success Looks Like

The first several months will focus on learning KPI Solutions’ processes, culture, and execution methods. By approximately six months, the Controls Engineer III should be able to execute projects efficiently, operate with a high level of independence, and require limited direction.

About KPI Solutions

KPI Solutions delivers integrated automation solutions across varied customer environments. Its engineers work with diverse technologies and collaborate across controls, software, mechanical engineering, project management, and customer teams to bring complex systems to life.