Senior Controls Engineer - REMOTE

The businesses of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany; Upper Macungie Township (PA); Remote; USD 130,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global pharmaceutical company is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to work remotely and design control systems for industrial applications. The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor’s degree and over 8 years of experience in PLC, HMI, and SCADA programming. This role involves programming and troubleshooting control systems, and candidates will be expected to mentor junior engineers. A competitive salary range and excellent benefits are offered.

Benefits

Health insurance

Paid time off (PTO)

Retirement contributions

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of experience in PLC, HMI, and SCADA programming.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop control system architectures using PLC, HMI, and SCADA technologies.
• Program, test, and troubleshoot PLCs and HMIs to ensure optimal performance.
• Mentor junior engineers on best practices in control system design.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

SCADA programming

Automation technologies

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

MS or PhD in a related field

Tools

Siemens PLC systems

Omron PLC systems

Cimplicity SCADA

Ignition SCADA

Job description

Location

Work Location: Breinigsville, Pennsylvania
Shift: No
Department: EL-ND-OMNC Controls & Electrical Engineering
Recruiter: Laura Dockery

This information is for internals only. Please do not share outside of the organization.

Your Role

The Senior Controls Engineer is a remote position with preference given to candidates in Allentown, PA, Chandler, AZ, and Austin, TX. There will be approximately 10% domestic and international travel required to meet business needs.

Your Role:

The Delivery Systems and Services global engineering team is seeking an accomplished Senior Controls Engineer with a minimum of 8 years of experience in PLC, HMI, and SCADA programming, ideally within the semiconductor, pharmaceutical, chemicals, and food industries. The successful candidate will be tasked with designing, developing, and implementing control systems for various industrial applications. This position demands a robust understanding of automation technologies and the ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop control system architectures using PLC, HMI, and SCADA technologies.
• Program, test, and troubleshoot PLCs and HMIs to ensure optimal performance and functionality.
• Conduct system integration and validation testing to ensure compliance with industry standards.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for existing control systems.
• Develop and maintain system documentation, including functional specifications and user manuals.
• Stay updated with the latest industry trends and technologies to enhance control system capabilities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define project requirements and specifications.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide guidance on best practices in control system design and implementation.

Who You Are

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in PLC, HMI, and SCADA programming.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science or a related field.
• Experience in the semiconductor, pharmaceutical, chemicals, and food industries preferred.
• Proficient in programming languages such as ladder logic, structured text, and function block diagrams.
• Familiarity with major PLC brands, particularly Siemens and Omron, with a strong preference for experience with Siemens platforms.
• In-depth knowledge of industrial communication protocols (e.g., Ethernet/IP, Modbus, Profibus, DeviceNet, ControlNet).
• SCADA experience with Cimplicity or Ignition is advantageous.
• Familiarity with process control systems and instrumentation.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity best practices for industrial control systems is advantageous.
• Professional certifications related to automation or control systems will be advantageous.

Pay Range for this position: $130,700 - $196,100

The offer range represents the anticipated low and high end of the base pay compensation for this position. The actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level of experience, education, skills, and other job-related factors. Position may be eligible for sales or performance-based bonuses. Benefits offered by the Company include health insurance, paid time off (PTO), retirement contributions, and other perquisites. For more information, please contact the recruiter or refer to your internal careers page.

The Company is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, gender identity, transgender status, marital status, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy of Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all policies and programs relating to recruitment and hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, discipline, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment. Any applicant or employee who believes they have been discriminated against by the Company or anyone acting on behalf of the Company must report any concerns to their Human Resources Business Partner, Legal, or Compliance immediately. The Company will not retaliate against any individual because they made a good faith report of discrimination.