Senior Controls Engineer - Relocation available

LVI Associates; Westbrook (ME); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

LVI Associates is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer in Westbrook, Maine, with relocation available. You will lead controls development for custom automation projects, including PLC programming, HMI, and commissioning, collaborating across electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing teams.

You will integrate robotics, vision, motion control, and networks, debug systems, support FATs, and provide guidance to technicians and junior engineers.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, or machine integration.
• Strong PLC programming experience, ladder logic; structured text/function block advantageous.
• Experience developing operator interfaces and industrial visualization systems.
• Understanding of industrial networking protocols (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus, IO-Link).
• Experience integrating robotics, vision systems, servo motion, safety systems, and electrical controls.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and wiring diagrams; interpret technical docs.
• Strong troubleshooting and customer-facing startup skills.
• Associate/Bachelor degrees or equivalent industry experience considered.

Responsibilities

• Lead controls development for custom automation projects, including PLC programming, HMI development, commissioning, and FAT.
• Integrate robotics, machine vision, motion control, servo drives, sensors, and networks.
• Debug and validate machine functionality; ensure hardware and software work together.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing teams through design, build, and startup.
• Provide FAT support and on-site commissioning at customer facilities.
• Troubleshoot remotely and in the field; maintain documentation and wiring info.
• Guide technicians and junior engineers during builds and startups; contribute to standards.
• Participate in process improvements and quality initiatives.

Skills

PLC programming

Ladder logic

Structured text / function block

HMI / visualization

Industrial networking

Robotics integration

Machine vision

Servo motion control

Electrical schematics

Customer-facing startup support

Education

Associate's degree in Electrical Engineering or related

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related

Equivalent industry experience considered

Tools

Siemens Step7/Simatic

Rockwell RSLogix/Studio 5000

HMI development tools

Electrical CAD tools

Job description

Senior Controls Engineer - Relocation available (PR/612592) Westbrook, Maine

Salary: USD80000 - USD120000 per annum

Senior Controls Engineer - Relocation assistance available

Are you someone who enjoys taking ownership of complex automation projects from concept through commissioning? This opportunity is with a growing custom machinery and automation manufacturer that designs highly engineered equipment used across advanced manufacturing sectors including medical devices, electronics, aerospace, and defence.

Every project is unique, offering the chance to work on sophisticated automation systems and cutting‑edge technology rather than repetitive production support. You'll play a key role in developing, integrating, testing, and commissioning custom‑built equipment while collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering teams throughout the machine lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead controls development for custom automation projects, including PLC programming, HMI development, commissioning, and customer acceptance testing.
• Integrate a variety of technologies including robotics, machine vision, motion control systems, servo drives, sensors, and industrial communication networks.
• Debug and validate machine functionality, ensuring hardware and software operate seamlessly together.
• Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing teams during design, build, and startup phases.
• Support factory acceptance testing (FAT) and on‑site commissioning activities at customer facilities.
• Troubleshoot and resolve controls‑related issues both remotely and in the field.
• Produce and maintain technical documentation, wiring information, operating procedures, and user manuals.
• Provide technical guidance to technicians and junior engineers during machine builds and system startup activities.
• Participate in process improvements and contribute to engineering standards and quality initiatives.

Desired Background

• Several years of hands‑on experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, or machine integration.
• Strong PLC programming experience, particularly with ladder logic. Experience with structured text or function block programming is advantageous.
• Experience developing operator interfaces and industrial visualisation systems.
• Understanding of industrial networking protocols such as EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus, IO-Link, or similar.
• Experience integrating robotics, machine vision systems, servo motion, safety systems, and industrial electrical controls.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical documentation.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and confidence working directly with customers during startup and commissioning activities.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation, Engineering Technology, or a related discipline. Equivalent industry experience will also be considered.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Work on highly customised, technically challenging automation projects rather than standardised equipment.
• Exposure to advanced technologies including robotics, vision systems, precision motion control, and sophisticated manufacturing automation.
• Collaborative engineering culture where projects are truly owned from design through customer handover.
• Opportunity to travel for commissioning and customer support activities.
• Comprehensive benefits package including retirement savings, healthcare coverage, paid time off, parental leave, and professional development support.
• Relocation assistance available

This role would suit an experienced controls engineer looking to work on diverse machine‑building projects, take greater ownership of automation systems, and contribute to the delivery of complex manufacturing solutions installed around the world.